Highlights of the History
1925: Fr.
Patrick B. Fogarty offered the first mass (on April 15, 1925) at
8835 Hudson Street.
1929: The
Methodist Church at Montcalm and 73rd was bought for
the parish
1952: The
construction of the new church began under Fr. Hanrahan
1954: The new
church in its present site is blessed on a Palm Sunday
1956: The
interior of the church was ravaged by fire
1964: Another
fire gutted the interior of the church
2000: St.
Anthony’s celebrates 75 year anniversary
From
Humble Beginnings.....
Today, St. Anthony
of Padua Catholic Church proudly stands on West 73rd Avenue at
Montcalm in Marpole, Vancouver. Its story began in in
January 1925 with the arrival of Fr. B. Fogarty from Fargo, North
Dakota. He was to establish a parish south of 49th Avenue
between Cambie and MacDonald Street, to include all Sea Island and
Lulu Island. He found temporary accommodations at the
McNulty home o Cartier Street, and it was in their living room
where he offered Holy Mass until arrangements were made for the
use of the I.O.O.F. Hall on Hudson Street at Marine Drive.
Appreciative members of the Catholic community rallied around the
new pastor and arrangements were quickly made to purchase the
building at 8835 Hudson Street. Fr. Fogarty celebrated the
first mass in this building on Palm Sunday, April 15, 1925.
It was to provide a place of worship and parish hall downstairs,
and living quarters for Fr.Fogarty upstairs for four years.
In 1929 St. Anthony's
Parish bought the Methodist Church on Montcalm and 73rd Avenue
when it became vacant as a result of the Methodist uniting with
the Presbyterians. It became the new place of worship for
St. Anthony's Parish. A former alter boy recalled the
coldness in the church. The parish could not afford fuel, so
the church remained unheated during weekdays. The alter boy
served Mass in overcoat and mittens, and he noted that Fr.
Fogarty's hand were often white and numb with cold.
Two years after the
purchase of the Methodist church, Fr. Fogarty wrote Archbishop
Duke requesting permission to sell the property on Hudson Street.
Fr. Fogarty made
plans and secured funds for new and bigger church. But plans
had to be put on hold because of government restrictions. It
was not until 1952 under the direction of the new pastor Fr.
Hanrahan, that the construction of a new church could begin.
In 1954 on Palm Sunday the new St. Anthony of Padua Parish Church
in its present site was blessed. the beautiful red brick
structure was only two years old when fire ravaged its interior.
Eight years later in 1964 another fire gutted the inside of the
church. The interior was completely refinished. But it was
noted that "the odour and smoke hanging the air for months".
Today, St. Anthony's
Parish serves more than 800 families a tribute to the vision of
Fr. Fogarty and to the hard work and sacrifices of Fr. Hanrahan
who helped realized that vision. It stands in tribute to the
selfless dedication of the various pastors after them and the
unwavering support of the committed parishioners throughout the
years. With pride it stands on 1345 West 73rd Avenue on
Montcalm a testimony of 80 years of God's blessings.
Pastors
Served
1925 – 1949 Fr.
Patrick Fogarty
1949 – 1969 Fr.
John Hanrahan
1969 – 1970 Fr.
Donald Louis Campbell
1970 – 1976 Fr.
Oswald Fransis Sorel
1976 – 1985 Fr.
Francis John Nash
1985 -1986 Fr.
Patrick Tepoorten
1986 -1992 Fr.
William Mendenhall
1992 – 2006(July) Fr.
Ronald Thompson
2006 - to date
Fr. Mario Marin
more details on Pastors..
