St Laurence O'Toole Church - Spencerville, ON
Posted by: 
jiggs11
N 44° 50.411 W 075° 33.115
18T E 456379 N 4965345
Marker denoting the history of St Laurence O'Toole RC Church in Spencerville, ON.
Waymark Code: WMNWBF
Location: Ontario, Canada
Date Posted: 05/11/2015
Views: 6
132 year-old church located in Spencerville, ON. The Parish of St Laurence O'Toole was established in 1883 in order to address the needs of local Roman Catholics who had previously had to travel to Prescott, Merrickville or Kemptville to attend Mass.
The cornerstone was laid 19 August, 1883. The completed church was consecrated on 14 September, 1886.
The church is in very good condition, and still holds regular masses every Sunday.
The marker was presented by the Archdiocese of Kingston on behalf of the Canadian Catholic Historical Federation.
Marker Reads:
ST LAURENCE O'TOOLE CHURCH
Originally the predominantly Irish Catholic settlers of Spencerville and Edwardsburgh Township had to travel to Prescott, Brockville, or Kemptville in order to attend Masses said there or in local parishioners' homes by itinerant priests. To reduce the long travelling time, in 1883 construction began on this church. under the supervision of Father John Masterson, Pastor of St Mark in Prescott.
The cornerstone was laid by Most Rev James Vincent Cleary, S.T.D. Bishop of Kingston on August 19, 1883. Bishop Cleary returned to bless and dedicate the finished church on 14 September, 1886. The church was dedicated to St Laurence O'Toole (1128-1180) who became Archbishop of Dublin, Ireland in 1161.
The adjoining cemetery was blessed on 15 acres of village land obtained from the Keeler family of Edwardsburgh. After having served as a mission of Prescott, Spencerville became a parish in its own right in 1888 with St Michael the Archangel in Throoptown to the west as its mission. Construction of the rectory in Spencerville began shortly thereafter.
This historical plaque of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kingston was presented on behalf of the Canadian Catholic Historical Association by its Secretary-General, Rev. Edward J.R. Jackman, and blessed on Saturday, June 12, 2010by His Grace, the Most Rev Brendan Michael O'Brien, the Archbishop of Kingston, Ontario, Canada.
Group that erected the marker: Canadian Catholic Historical Federation
Address of where the marker is located. Approximate if necessary:
48 Centre Street
Spencerville, ON CA
K0E1X0
URL of a web site with more information about the history mentioned on the sign: Not listed
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