n October 2, 1966 Rev. F.J. Laverty, Chancellor of the Diocese of London, blessed the site on which Mary Immaculate would be built and turned the first piece of sod. August 15, 1965 marked the founding of or parish, and our first mass was celebrated on October 1, 1967.

Mary Immaculate Church was built by the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, later transferred to the diocese in 1978. Our first pastor was Fr. Cornelius Herlihy O.M.I, native of Ireland and ordained a priest in 1936. Fr. Herlihy worked as a teacher in Ottawa before being assigned to come to London to work for Mary Immaculate parish. Our first associate pastor was Fr. Kevin McNarama to be followed by Fr. David Walsh.

Mary Immaculate Parish held its very first gatherings at Churchill Public School, St. Robert's elementary school preceding to Clarke road secondary school before the final structure was built. Approximately 250 families were active members of the parish at this time. Numerous groups were already forming at this early stage including an usher's club, a St. Vincent dePaul society, a choir and a Catholic women's league. Money collected at these gatherings, as well as a generous sum from St. Patrick's parish, went towards the building of the church.

The building itself was built by contractors Ellis Don Company. The architecture firm of Murray and Murray, based in Ottawa, Ontario was in charge of design. Mr. Murray was assisted by his London associate Mr. Douglas Neville. The firm worked with Gerald Trottier, an Ottawa based artist.

The physical structure of Mary immaculate church was hailed at the time of it's building as a work of contemporary art. The courtyard, unique to the design of a church, was conceived by the architects as "period of adjustment" for the individual leaving the greater world at large and entering the church. It was said to have its roots in early Christian and medieval churches. The church itself was designed with upmost simplicity in mind and even the design of candle holders and tabernacle was done with "Christian poverty" in mind. The layout of the pews in a semi-circle pattern around the altar was designed to reflect the notion of unity between the celebrant and his parishioners. The building was so unique in its time that Mary Immaculate won an award of Merit for its structural design.

In it's early years the parish had some financial problems in not being able to even make the interest payments on the building. This occurred at a time when the church had no staff members other than the two pastors. Due to these financial problems and a lack of resources on the part of the Missionary order, the parish was handed over to the diocese in 1978. At this date Fr. Frank O'Connor was pastor of the parish, to be followed by Fr. Paul Roy in September of 1980.

Pastors
Rev. Cornelius Herlihy O.M.I August 1965-August 1974
Rev. John O'Connor O.M.I August 1974-August 1978
Rev. Frank O'Connor August 1978-September 1980
Rev. Paul Roy September 1980-
Rev. Martin Johnson
Rev. Richard Bester
Rev. Lance Madigz
Rev. Jan Burczyk October 1998-present

If you feel that anything was ommited please feel free to contact us!