Parish History
During the 1950s, many English speaking familes moved into the Chelmsford-Azilda area. Their spiritual needs were tended by the French parishes of St. Joseph's in Chelmsford and St. Agnes in Azilda. One Sunday afternoon, in the spring of 1959, nine people gathered at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Pat Bradshaw on William Street in Chelmsford to discuss starting an English-speaking parish. The task of contacting every English speaking Catholic family was undertaken using the tax roll in Chelmsford and the then township of Balfour as a guide. The next meeting was held at the La Salle des Copains which is now North West Lumber on Errington Street. Word by now had spread far and wide and people from Azilda and Larchwood attended the meeting, wanting to join in the efforts for a new parish.
A delegation of men sought advice from Monsignor Humphreys at Christ the King Parish. They then went to North Bay to see Bishop Carter, asking him to establish an English parish. A list of about 150 families had been collected. Permission was granted and then in May 1960, Father Francis Murphy was appointed to study the need for the parish. He was welcomed at a reception in the basement of St. Joseph's Church. During his stay, he lived in St. Joseph's rectory. Masses were celebrated inthe Mine Mill Hall, Legion Hall. St. Joseph's Church basement and St. Joseph's School Auditorium in Chelmsford. In Azilda, St. Agnes Church basement and St. Mary's School were used. Each Saturday saw the altar being assembled and chairs set up by the men, and put away again every Sunday after mass. Monsignor Cholette and Father Fortin were of great assistance. The first baptisms were administered to Andrew Tenbult, son of Bernard and Wilhelmina and to Stephen Duenk, son of John and Carolina, on July 3, 1960. First communion was celebrated for the first time on May 28, 1961 in St. Mary's School in Azilda. The first Confirmation was administered by Bishop Carter on April 14, 1961.
The Holy Name Society and the Catholic Women's League were established and many fundraising activities were held. The men held car washes and the first event for the ladies was a Spring Tea. St. Charles School and St. Patrick's School were built and active PTAs were organized.
In May 1962, Father Gerry Sullivan was appointed. He continued to live at Christ the King Rectory until January 1, 1963, when a house was rented on Highway 144 between Chelmsford and Azilda across the street from teh Benvenuti's. Weekday masses were said in the living room of the house. On Ash Wednesday of 1963, there were so many people in the house, they were worried the floor might cave in. Permission was obtained from the Public School Board to use the school next door for daily mass during Lent.
In December 1962, men of the Holy Name Society started a '500 Draw.' Each month, 1200 tickets were sold with $500. going to the winner and $500. going to the building fund. The last Saturday of each month saw the Captains gathered to draw the lucky ticket. The first winner was Reg Sexton of the Parish. Letters were sent each month to all ticket buyers announcing the winner andt he date of the next draw. Members of the Holy Name Society and the Catholic Women's League were active in the Retreat Movement and many participated in personal retreats held at Marygrove on Lang Lake near Espanola.
In 1962, it was decided that we were to have one parish with two churches, identical in every way except that the Azilda building would have a residence for the priest. On August 17, 1962, our parish officially received the name of St. Alexander. Property was bought in Azilda for $3000. and in Chelmsford for $3200. Carrington Builder's Supplies was the contractor and Nick Van Kray, the general carpenter. Total cost of both buildings was $80,000. Actual building started in August 1963 and the first Mass was said in the completed churches on December 8, 1963, in Azilda and two weeks later, on December 22, in Chelmsford. His Excellency Bishop Carter blessed both churches on May 4, 1964. In the evening, he administerd the Sacrament of Confirmation. The children being confirmed walked in procession across the field from St. Patrick's School to the church.
Vatican II saw changes in the churches, with the altars turned to face the parishioners and the Communion rail removed. The Sisters of St. Joseph guided us in an enthusiastic singing programme. No hymn was too hard and there was whole-hearted participation by the parishioners. In August 1966, with a difficult task completed, Father Sullivan recieved an appointment to Espanola and the late Father Don MacLellan became our new pastor. He stayed with us for three years and kept up the good work and enthusiasm of the parish. Father Steve Clarke then became our new pstor. On January 23, 1972, thejoyous "Mortgage Burning Ceremony" was held at Lakeview Hall in Azilda. In just nine years, both churches were completely paid for, thanks to the hard work of our priests and parishioners. In 1977, Father Harris Mulcahey was appointed our pastor. Father Mulcahey conducted many "Parish Renewal Weekends" for enthusiastic parishioners.
For many years, our parish was blessed with a parishioner who happened to be a priest. He was Father Arthur Heinrichs, who was loved by one and all. He had the ability to get everyone singing and never stopped after the first verse of any hymn. Father Heinrichs passed away in Germany on March 18, 1985 and is sadly missed.
St. Alexander's saw its first permanent deacon, Phil Dwyer, ordained and it was with great sadness that we said good-bye to Phil and Theresa when they moved in June 1982.
In 1981, Father Caruso came to our parish. The year 1984 saw major renovations to the interiors of both buildings adn we are proud of our beautiful churches.
It has been with great joy over the past 25 years, that the parishioners of St. Alexander's have welcomed each pastor and great sadness when we have to say good-bye. We recognize the hard work and dedication each has contributed. We also recognize the hard work our Parish Council, CWL, Holy Name Society, Youth of the Parish, and the parishioners of St. Alexander's. It has been by working together that we have built our parish.
