St. Angela Merici Parish History
 | ST. ANGELA MERICI CHURCH 980 N. LOUIS AVENUE WINDSOR, ON, CANADA N9A 1X9 TEL (519) 254-5542 FAX (519) 256-0066 A Scalabrinian Parish in the Diocese of London |
In 1929, an Italian Chapel was created at Sacred Heart Church in response to the request of the growing Italian community of Windsor. Two groups in the early Church – the Christian Mothers Society and the men’s Holy Name Society – spearheaded the campaign to construct a church for the Italian community based on language and culture rather than geographic boundaries.
Thus it was that in 1938, Father Costantino DeSantis arrived from Atlantic City, New Jersey, with the mandate to build a church for the Italian families of Windsor. Fund-raising within the community and a major loan from the Diocese of London allowed the cornerstone of Sant’ Angela Merici to be laid one year later – October 29th, 1939, the feast of Christ the King. The first Mass was celebrated in the basement of the new church on Christmas Day, 1939.
A Youth Centre was opened ten years later in December 1949 which became known as St. Angela’s Hall. It was not only a recreational centre for the youth and the community at large, but due to its expansion in 1952, also became an educational centre for children from kindergarten through the fourth grade and for adult English instruction.
As the community continued to grow, Sant’ Angela Merici Church underwent major remodeling and expansion in 1958, again in 1975 to accommodate the liturgical changes brought about by Vatican II, and yet again in 1989 on the occasion of its Fiftieth Anniversary.
Following the retirement of Monsignor DeSantis in 1960, the Missionary Fathers of St. Charles, -Scalabrinians, have served the parish by expanding the religious staff and the community outreach. The Sisters of the Holy Family ran the parish nursery and school and assisted with pastoral care from 1960-1998.
The Coro Italiano de Windsor established by Fr. Umberto Rizzi, cs continues to represent the Italian community at may multi-cultural events. La Voce Italiana, an Italian religious and cultural radio program was started by Fr. Raniero Alessandrini, cs in 1969.
On November 27, 2005 a new Parish Centre was completed and dedicated on the same site as the old hall. The benefits of the new Hall are many: It is an investment in the Renewal of our Parish Community; a gathering place of which we can be proud; built at grade level providing barrier-free access; with full multi=media capabilities for meetings and events; room for approximately 400 people seated; second-floor meeting rooms and office; modern kitchen providing the latest in culinary potential; large storage capacity in basement accessible by elevator and stairs.
