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Immaculée-Conception 4, avenue Summers Kapuskasing, ON P5N 3J7 Tel.: 705-335-3473 - Fax: 705-335-4036 |
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The canonical inauguration of the Immaculate Conception parish in Kapuskasing on June 5, 1921, has followed closely the incorporation of the Town of Kapuskasing. The Oblate Fathers entrusted with the new parish were already known in the region. In fact arriving in Hearst in 1917 they exercised their ministry in a vast region which also comprised Kapuskasing. In the early days Kapuskasing was known as MacPherson Station where there existed on the west shore of the Kapuskasing river a WWI prisoner of war camp. In 1915 Mgr Stéphane Laferrière was the first priest to celebrate mass for the prisoners. It was also at MacPherson that Father Oliva Paquette, the future first parish priest at Immaculate Conception ministered to the mission on the second Sunday of each month for 155 persons of which 49 were Catholics. In the beginning Mass was celebrated at a lumber camp; later the Community Hall with all its inconveniences served as a meeting place for the service. Fr. Léon Carrière, a missionary from the first days wrote on November 15, 1920 that «to celebrate Mass in a room with cases of tomatoes for an altar and chocolate bars as decorations proved to be a distraction for the participants». With the bishop's approval in 1921 the priests purchased the Chamandy store for the sum of $2,140.00, to serve as a church. It was located behind the train station. The canonical inauguration of the Immaculate Conception parish in Kapuskasing on June 5, 1921, has followed closely the incorporation of the Town of Kapuskasing. The Oblate Fathers entrusted with the new parish were already known in the region. In fact arriving in Hearst in 1917 they exercised their ministry in a vast region which also comprised Kapuskasing. In the early days Kapuskasing was known as MacPherson Station where there existed on the west shore of the Kapuskasing river a WWI prisoner of war camp. In 1915 Mgr Stéphane Laferrière was the first priest to celebrate mass for the prisoners. It was also at MacPherson that Father Oliva Paquette, the future first parish priest at Immaculate Conception ministered to the mission on the second Sunday of each month for 155 persons of which 49 were Catholics. In the beginning Mass was celebrated at a lumber camp; later the Community Hall with all its inconveniences served as a meeting place for the service. Fr. Léon Carrière, a missionary from the first days wrote on November 15, 1920 that «to celebrate Mass in a room with cases of tomatoes for an altar and chocolate bars as decorations proved to be a distraction for the participants». With the bishop's approval in 1921 the priests purchased the Chamandy store for the sum of $2,140.00, to serve as a church. It was located behind the train station. The population expanded rapidly with the construction in 1920 of the Spruce Falls Power and Paper Company mill. In the final years of 1921 there were 65 Catholic families and at the end of 1922, there were 120. A fire on January 10, 1924 and the transfer of the village to the south-east shore of the river left the future in doubt. The old store, which was the church, was spared of any fire damage; however, plans to relocate the church were already underway. Construction of the present church and its rectory began in the summer of 1923 and was completed in 1924. The church was blessed by Bishop Joseph Hallé on June 15. A bell donated by Spruce Falls employees was blessed on December 8 of the same year. Spruce Falls provided support in the construction of our new church and to this day continues to do so for the church, for the schools and for other parochial works. The church underwent major renovations in 1927, 1938, 1949 (steeple), 1956, 1958, etc. including the recent construction of the lobby in 1993. This glassed-in entrance includes stairs, a washroom, and an elevator for senior citizens, the disabled and for wheelchairs users. With an ever increasing population base, schooling became a concern. The first school opened its doors in the temporary rectory on September 10, 1921 under the direction of Mr. H.E. D'Aoust. At the end of 1921, 18 boys and 20 girls attended this school; the following year, there were 50 boys and 40 girls; and in 1927, there was a total of 460 school children. The Grey Nuns from Ottawa were added to the teaching staff in 1926, followed by the Sacred Heart Brothers in 1944. Presently, there are 489 students attending both schools within the Immaculate Conception parish. Furthermore, rapid growth of this bilingual parish gave birth in 1954-55 to three neighbouring parishes including Notre-Dame-de-la-Paix, Notre-Dame-des-Victoires and St. Patrick for the English-speaking community. It should also be noted that each of these parishes has its own primary school. Also, since 1971, all of our French-speaking students can pursue their high school education at the Cité des Jeunes. The Oblate Fathers continued to manage and minister to the parish until 1988 at which time these responsibilities were transferred to the diocesan clergy. Father Jean-Guy Mailloux is the first diocesan priest and he is presently assisted by Fr. Paul Letendre. Now in its 75th year, the Immaculate Conception parish includes 2,700 parishioners. After 75 years of existence, the parish remains vibrant due to the dedication of the Oblate Fathers, the constant help of the parishioners and the financial support of Spruce Falls. The parish spirit of Immaculate Conception has never failed. The population expanded rapidly with the construction in 1920 of the Spruce Falls Power and Paper Company mill. In the final years of 1921 there were 65 Catholic families and at the end of 1922, there were 120. A fire on January 10, 1924 and the transfer of the village to the south-east shore of the river left the future in doubt. The old store, which was the church, was spared of any fire damage; however, plans to relocate the church were already underway. Construction of the present church and its rectory began in the summer of 1923 and was completed in 1924. The church was blessed by Bishop Joseph Hallé on June 15. A bell donated by Spruce Falls employees was blessed on December 8 of the same year. Spruce Falls provided support in the construction of our new church and to this day continues to do so for the church, for the schools and for other parochial works. The church underwent major renovations in 1927, 1938, 1949 (steeple), 1956, 1958, etc. including the recent construction of the lobby in 1993. This glassed-in entrance includes stairs, a washroom, and an elevator for senior citizens, the disabled and for wheelchairs users. With an ever increasing population base, schooling became a concern. The first school opened its doors in the temporary rectory on September 10, 1921 under the direction of Mr. H.E. D'Aoust. At the end of 1921, 18 boys and 20 girls attended this school; the following year, there were 50 boys and 40 girls; and in 1927, there was a total of 460 school children. The Grey Nuns from Ottawa were added to the teaching staff in 1926, followed by the Sacred Heart Brothers in 1944. Presently, there are 489 students attending both schools within the Immaculate Conception parish. Furthermore, rapid growth of this bilingual parish gave birth in 1954-55 to three neighbouring parishes including Notre-Dame-de-la-Paix, Notre-Dame-des-Victoires and St. Patrick for the English-speaking community. It should also be noted that each of these parishes has its own primary school. Also, since 1971, all of our French-speaking students can pursue their high school education at the Cité des Jeunes. The Oblate Fathers continued to manage and minister to the parish until 1988 at which time these responsibilities were transferred to the diocesan clergy. Father Jean-Guy Mailloux is the first diocesan priest and he is presently assisted by Fr. Paul Letendre. Now in its 75th year, the Immaculate Conception parish includes 2,700 parishioners. After 75 years of existence, the parish remains vibrant due to the dedication of the Oblate Fathers, the constant help of the parishioners and the financial support of Spruce Falls. The parish spirit of Immaculate Conception has never failed. Prepared by Fr. Jean-Guy
Mailloux, Pastor, |
