St. Andrew’s Parish

St. Andrew’s Parish. . , In 1819, Bartholomew O'Connor and Charles O'Hara travelled 40 miles to Dundas to persuade Father O'Reilly to come to say mass for them in O'Hara's log cabin. Over the next 20 years, pioneer families in Trafalgar and what was to become Oakville raised funds for a church. In 1840 St. Andrews was built by local Catholic craftsmen on land donated by the town's Presbyterian founder, William Chisholm. Built to accommodate 200, in 1870 the church was enlarged to seat 300. Ornate altars and communion rails, created by cabinetmaker and parishioner James O'Connor, were likely installed then. The church saw two extensions after 1870 - in 1953, with the post-war population boom, augmented by the opening of the Ford Assembly plant, and in 2009. In 1916, Anglican businessman W.S. Davis donated the church's chandelier. This donation, like Chisholm's, emphasizes the long history of ecumenical friendship fostered at St. Andrew's., The parish became a social and cultural centre. Before there was a town arena, the parish flooded their grounds for a rink to welcome the neighbourhood for winter sports and even a masquerade ice-folly. Softball and carpet-bowling teams were active. St. Andrew's also played an important role in Oakville's musical life. Father Savage (pastor and choral director, 1909 to 1933) was head of Oakville's music society; and the parish had close ties with the Frederick Harris Music Company, which made Oakville its headquarters in 1924. Every July, beginning at least as early as 1896, the renowned St. Andrews Garden Party hosted large crowds in the brilliantly illuminated rose gardens. The ladies served light meals and ice cream, while the gentlemen operated games booths. Professional singers, comedians, and jugglers made this event a pre-cursor to Oakville's summer festivals.