Parish History


 

With the amalgamation of the townships of Tarentorus and Korah on January 1, 1965, the geographical boundaries of Sault Ste. Marie expanded placing a strain on Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish who was serving the north-central portion of the new Sault Ste. Marie. The over-crowded parish inspired a group of parishioners in our area to request to His Excellency Bishop Carter to establish a new parish to reduce the pressure on Our Lady of Good Counsel. On June 10, 1965, Bishop Carter appointed Fr. Frank Farenzena to undertake formation of a new parish. On February 1, 1966, Bishop Carter officially endowed the new parish with the name St. Gerard Majella Parish. On February 29^th, a house at 73 Pleasant was purchased to serve as the Rectory where daily mass was celebrated in the basement. Sunday Masses were initially celebrated in Our Lady of Good Counsel Hall, moving to the gymnasia at St. Bernadette and St. Paul schools until the first Sunday after Easter when Sunday liturgy transferred to the cafetorium of Alexander Henry High School.

In the spring of 1966, plans to build a hall were approved with the idea that the hall would temporarily be used as the church. Estimated construction costs of $90 000 were raised through loans from parishioners who offered their money at 3% interest.

Father Farenzena was not to see the parish plans evolve as he was appointed to undertake the operation of a Mission in Guatemala. Fr. Roy McParland was appointed the new Pastor on June 29, 1966.

In keeping with the thinking of the Second Vatican Council, a Parish Senate was elected for the purpose of assisting the pastor in his work. Together, Fr. McParland and the Parish Senate decided that the initial parish complex would be too expensive for a congregation of young families. Accordingly, in December, 1966, after many months of planning, the Parish Council and Fr. McParland approved the new complex of Church, Rectory and Hall for St. Gerard Majella at a cost of $168, 894. Approval to begin construction was given on February 1, 1966 and ground breaking took place on April 4, 1967. The Blessing and dedication of St. Gerard Majella complex took place on Sunday, November 26, 1967 with His Excellency Most Rev. Alexander Carter officiating at the ceremony.

Starting around 2003, the Parish undertook a major fund raising in order to pave our parking lot.  The fund raiser was quite successful, with the paving of the lot taking place in 2007 (bill around $285 000) but we only were left a debt of around $56 000.  Major landscaping also took place leaving the church a very attractive place. St. Gerard's continues to grow serving the needs of its many young families, residences and senior complexes.

 Pastors:

Rev. F. Farenzena 1965-66

Rev. R. McParland 1966-76

Rev. D. McMillan 1976-79

Rev. P. Theriault 1979-82

Rev. V. Amadio 1982-90

Rev. F. Reed 1990-91

Rev. R. Thomas 1991-98

Rev. J. Rent 1999-02

Rev. George LaPierre 2002-2008

Rev. Francis Ezenezi 2008 - 2017

Rev. Alex Saurianthadathil 2017 -