City Commercial Core in Kitchener in Waterloo Region, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

St. Mary Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows Roman Catholic Parish

Photographed By Tim Boyd, March 31, 2024

1. St. Mary Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows Roman Catholic Parish Marker

Inscription. Founded in 1857, St. Mary's is the oldest Roman Catholic parish in Kitchener (previously Berlin) The early congregation was largely German and Polish. Father George Laufhuber, S.J., was the first pastor. Father Edward Glowacki, C.R. was appointed pastor in 1860 and the parish was administered by the Religious of the Congregation of the Resurrection on behalf of the Diocese of Hamilton.

Funds were raised to build a new church on this site, to accommodate a growing congregation. Many of the workers and tradespeople who built the church were of German descent. The cornerstone was laid on September 30, 1900 by Bishop T.J. Dowling who dedicated the structure to the Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Vingin Mary. The Gothic style building was built for a cost of approximately $90,000 and seats more than 1000.

In 1948, a Casavant pipe organ was installed to honour those parishioners who died serving their country in the Second World War. This, in addition to the stained glass windows, statuary, fonts and Stations of the Cross, reflects the generosity and deep faith of the parishioners. The paintings of Italian-American artist Ilario Panzironi complete the interior ambience of the church, which evokes a spirit of beauty, tranquilly and reverence.

The parish celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2007 and marked the

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occasion with this plaque and blessings, by The Most Reverend Anthony F. Tomos, D.D.. Bishop of Hamilton. The Most Reverend Matthew F. Usuzyck, V.C. D.D. Auxiliary Bishop of Hamilton and The Most Reverend Gerard P. Bergie, D.D., Auxiliary Bishop of Hamilton.

Erected in 2007 by the parishioners of St. Mary. Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows with the assistance of the Ontario Heritage Trust

Erected 2007 by Parishioners of St. Mary. Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows/ Ontario Heritage Trust.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Churches & Religion • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Ontario Heritage Foundation series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1857.

Location. 43° 27.147′ N, 80° 29.463′ W. Marker is in Kitchener, Ontario, in Waterloo Region. It is in City Commercial Core. Marker is at the intersection of Young Street and Duke Street West, on the right when traveling north on Young Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Kitchener ON N2H 4Z1, Canada. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Waterloo County (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); William Lyon Mackenzie King, 1874-1950 (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Kitchener Cenotaph (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Waterloo County Registry Office

Photographed By Tim Boyd, March 31, 2024

2. St. Mary Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows Roman Catholic Parish Marker

(approx. 0.4 kilometers away); World Trade Center (approx. half a kilometer away); Centennial of Victoria Park (1896-1996) (approx. 0.7 kilometers away); Joseph Schneider Haus (approx. 0.9 kilometers away); The Joseph Schneider House 1820 (approx. 0.9 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kitchener.

Also see . . . German Catholics in Ontario. 1935 article by the Rev. J.A. Lenhard.

Waterloo County and the southern part of Bruce County are the two principal German Catholic settlements in Ontario. There were smaller settlements in other places, as, for instance, one a few miles south of Niagara Fails, Rainham, Hamilton, Zurich and Hesson. Naturally, too, these colonies extended beyond the boundaries of these counties, and a few Catholic families are found here and there in the neighboring counties.

(Submitted on April 4, 2024, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario.)

Church of St. Mary Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Tim Boyd, March 31, 2024

3. Church of St. Mary Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows

Credits. This page was last revised on April 9, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 4, 2024, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 36 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 4, 2024, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.