Blessed Sacrament

Photo: The alter in the parish before the fire

The Catholics on the north side of the Thames River in Chatham and area were served by St. Joseph’s prior to the establishment of Blessed Sacrament Parish on October 30, 1921. Its pastor, Father Ralph Hubert Dignan (1921-1929), offered the parish’s first Mass in "The Pines" chapel. The Malcomson estate, originally the home of Hugh Malcomson, a former mayor of Chatham and proprietor of The New York House on King Street West, was purchased. The Italianate style, mid-1870s’ home, at 145 Victoria Avenue, with its centre tower and double entrance doors with decorative pressed metal hoods over the windows, was converted into a rectory. On the property, the firm of Benjamin Blonde built a church "along modern lines," but the facade was of Medieval French Gothic style. The rose window was the work of master carpenter David Hamon, a native of the Isle of Guernsey (Click here for Portals to Prayer book). On the morning of 4 February 1923, Blessed Sacrament was officially opened and blessed by Bishop Fallon, and in the evening he administered the Sacrament of Confirmation here for the first time.

Father Dignan, elected bishop of the diocese of Sault Ste. Marie on 22 December 1934, was succeeded at Blessed Sacrament by Father Joseph N. Campeau (1929-1939), who in turn was succeeded by Father G.J. Labelle (1939-1946). During the pastorship of Father V.W. Walsh (1946-1958), the northwestern part of the parish was detached to form St. Agnes Parish. It was while Monsignor John Uyen (1958-1967) was pastor that a fire completely destroyed the interior of the church on 6 January 1964. Chatham architect, Joseph Storey, and Rambush of Canada, liturgical designers, were commissioned to carry out the necessary repairs, producing a more unified space, which focused on the sanctuary and its liturgical functions. Over the next 18 months, Mass was celebrated in the church basement.

Monsignor Uyen was succeeded by Fathers Charles "Charlie" Campbell (1967-1980) and Joseph "Joe" Padelt (1980-1996). During the pastorate of Father James M. "Jim" Williams (1996-2001), Blessed Sacrament was the host, March 5-7, 2000, of the first National Catholic Parish Mission, broadcast nationally on the Vision Television Network. Bishop Paul Andre Durocher, auxiliary bishop of the diocese of Sault Ste. Marie, led the mission which was filmed entirely in the church. Among those who participated in this mission were Michael Burgess, star of Les Miserables, Juno Award winner Natalie MacMaster, renowned violinist from Cape Breton, and Adele Kozak of the Vancouver Opera Company.

Father Jan Burcyk, CSMA, (2001-2002), of the Michaelite Fathers, succeeded Father "Tiny" Williams, and was in turn succeeded in 2002 by Father Joseph J. "Joe" Nevett (2002-2008) who ministered to more than 1,300 families in a parish which prides itself on the tremendous faith and support of its people. 

On 30 June 2008 Blessed Sacrament Parish was clustered with St. Agnes Parish and Father Daniel Bombardier (2008-2015) was appointed Pastor of Blessed Sacrament and St. Agnes Parish Cluster.  On 16 July 2009 Blessed Sacrament Parish Office was re-located to the St. Agnes Site.  On 2 July 2015 Father James “Jim” Higgins (2015-) was appointed Administrator of Blessed Sacrament and St. Agnes Parish Cluster.  While Father Higgins was on Sabbatical Father John Sharp (2016) was appointed Interim Pastor to the Parish Cluster from January-June.  Father Jim Higgins, upon his return from Sabbatical, continued to serve the vibrant Blessed Sacrament and St. Agnes Parish Cluster.  During Father Jim Higgins time in Chatham he led the development of the Chatham Catholic Family of Parishes which includes all 5 Catholic Churches in Chatham - Blessed Sacrament, St. Agnes, St. Joseph, St. Ursula and Our Lady of Victory.

Of special interest at Blessed Sacrament are the church grounds which are known for their colourful show of beauty and originality. Over the years the parish has won many landscaping awards from various clubs. The origins of the distinct features of the grounds may be traced back to the pair of ginkgo trees, mementos of the Malcomsons’ tour of the Orient about 1900, on the front lawn. These trees have been identified as the largest and among the oldest of their species on the continent.

History of Blessed Sacrament Parish, March 9, 2017 - Lynda Cadotte