ST. MARY'S PASTORS

1894 - 1895 Rev. D. F. Kehoe  
1895 - 1898 reversion to mission status
1898 - 1899 Rev. P. J. Donovan
1899 - 1910 Rev. J. P. Cummings
                    Rev. F. O'Reilly, Oakville
                    (acting: Nov. 1899 -March 1900)
1910 - 1929 Rev. Patrick J. Padden
1927 - 1929 Rev. W. J. Hawkins (acting)
1929 - 1930 Rev. W. C. Gehl
1930 - 1933 Rev. J. J. Flahaven
1933 - 1958 Rev. Peter J. Maloney
1958 - 1960 Rev. William J. Nolan
1960 - 1967 Rev. Wilfred P. Murphy
1967 - 1969 Rev. Carlo A. Bianchi
1969 - 1973 Rev. Victor W. McNamara
1973 - 1983 Rev. John G. Lambertus
1983 - 1986 Rev. Paul A. Boucher
1986 - 1999 Rev.  James R. Mihm
​1999 - 2007 Rev. David Reilander
2007 - 2010 Rev. Luc Payette   
2010 - 2015 Rev. Mariusz Durbajlo
2015 - 2022 Rev. Lukasz Kopaniak   
​2022 -           Rev. Laszlo Amaszka           

BRIEF HISTORY OF ST. MARY'S

The parish was founded in July 1894, two years after the start of Sunday Mass in the chapel of the two - room St. Joseph's School at Brock and Colborne streets. Father D. F. Kehoe was appointed the first pastor. Much has occurred in the century that followed the foundation of the parish. Countless young men and women have gone out to make their mark in the world: in the priesthood, sisterhood, the professions, in business and industry, all taking with them the moral, ethical and religious principles fostered from the pulpit and in the classrooms of the parish. The challenge continues: to keep alive the heritage of commitment rooted in those humble beginnings.

This challenge was eloquently repeated by Bishop John Michael Sherlock, at the Centennial Mass on Sunday, October 30, 1994. He and two of his brothers, William and Philip, were vocations from St. Mary's. His homily not only cited examples of persistence and dedication but echoed the words of encouragement and leadership from pastors and lay leaders of earlier years, especially Monsignor Peter J. Maloney, who was pastor for twenty five years.

There were many organizations of lay people, some are still very active and have assisted the priests in the work of evangelization: Catholic Women's League, Catholic Youth Organization, Holy Name Society, the Ladies Aid, the Young Ladies’ Sodality, the Young Men's Literary Society, the Legion of Mary, the Credit Union, the St. Vincent de Paul Society, Catholic Parent Teacher Associations, Parent Action Groups, and Group Committees for Beavers, Cubs and Scouts.
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The bricks and mortar and the hard work which helped the parish families mold this heritage includes many parts:

- The first church was built in 1900;
- Four room St. Mary's School added to St. Joseph's in 1916,
- St. Joseph's school demolished and St. Mary's expanded to 10 rooms in 1953; 
- Our Lady of Fatima School opened in 1954; 
- The present Church was dedicated in 1955; 
- St. Joseph's Hospital opened the same year; 
- The Parish Center opened in 1963; 
- St. Peter's, Holy Cross, St. Paul's schools all opened by 1968; 
- Our Lady of Fatima Church was dedicated in 1974.

        (Source: Across the Years 1894-1994, A history of St. Mary's Parish)