The Town of Amherstburg dates back to 1796 when Fort Malden was established by the military.
St. John the Baptist Church founded 1802
When the construction of the little frame chapel began is another unanswered question, but is would be safe to say that it was in the spring of 1802. On the 11th of September 1802 Bishop Denaut stated in a letter to Father Marchand that he was pleased to learn that the chapels at the Thames and Malden were almost completed, and Marchand would soon be able to hold services there as if he were at his own church of Assumption. Father Marchand had begun to keep separate records for the St. John the Baptist Mission three months previously, the first baptisms being recorded on June 26th and June 28th, 1802.
The New Church On the 27th of June, 1844 Father Boue wrote to Bishop Power, informing him that "the construction of a new church here is a thing well under way and was completed in 1950". Over the years there have been many additions to the church as well as a stone rectory built in 1889 and a brick parish center built in 1965.This is the site of our church today. At the corner of Brock and Gore Street.
The History of St. Anthony of Padua
The town of Harrow was first know as Munger's Corners, named after the first post master John Munger. In the year 1857 Mungers Corners was renamed Harrow, Ontario.
St. Anthony of Padua Church Dr. Campeau purchased land from Alfred Munger for $200 as the site for a new church and donated it to the Diocese of London. The land fronted on Munger Street west of Victoria Street.
In 1906, when Bishop EcEvay established a Catholic Church in Harrow, he placed the new parish under the patronage of St. Anthony of Padua. Most people think that St. Anthony was Italian. Actually, like many of today's parishioners he was Portuguese.
Official opening of the New St. Anthony of Padua Chapel, Father Renaud's diary entry for November 17, 1906 reads: "these last few days were spent in preparation for the blessing of the chapel. In the evening of Saturday the 17th we had everything ready." As he stood on the slightly raised platform in front of the altar, he admired the embossed metallic ceiling that was a last minute addition to the builder's contract.
St. Anthony of Padua Church is located in Harrow Ontario, about a 20 minute drive from Amherstburg. Until 1933, it was a mission of the Basilian Fathers of St. John the Baptist Church in Amherstburg. The first resident pastor of St. Anthony’s Church was appointed in 1933. In 1957, the current church and a new rectory were built, incorporating the original 1906 chapel into the structure.