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St. Laurence O'Toole
Spencerville
ON
K0E 1X0
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We found 15 more churches within 25 miles of Spencerville
- Church of St. Mark the Evangelist, Prescott (9.08 miles)
- Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Cardinal (9.32 miles)
- St. Theresa Church, North Augusta (10.68 miles)
- St. Daniel the Martyr, South Mountain (11.54 miles)
- St. Cecilia Church, Iroquois (11.75 miles)
- Holy Cross Catholic Church, Kemptville (12.95 miles)
- St. Francis Xavier, Brockville (14.26 miles)
- St. John Bosco, Brockville (17.59 miles)
- St. Mary Church, Morrisburg (18.18 miles)
- Church of St. Philip Neri, Toledo (22.81 miles)
- Church of St. Francis de Sales, Smiths Falls (23.2 miles)
- St. Francis de Sales, Smiths Falls (23.2 miles)
- St. Mary of the Presentation, Chesterville (24.03 miles)
- St. Philip Neri, Toledo (24.4 miles)
- St. Denis the Areopagite, Athens (24.72 miles)
Who we are
The first Catholics to settle in Merrickville were the families of the Irish, Scottish, and French builders of the Rideau Canal (1826-1832). The area was originally served by priests visiting from Perth and Prescott and later from Smiths Falls and Kemptville.
Today, St. Ann's Parish is home to Catholics in the Village of Merrickville-Wolford and parts of Montague, Marlborough, and Oxford townships. In 2023, we will celebrate 200 years of Catholicism in Merrickville-Wolford.
Today, St. Ann's Parish is home to Catholics in the Village of Merrickville-Wolford and parts of Montague, Marlborough, and Oxford townships. In 2023, we will celebrate 200 years of Catholicism in Merrickville-Wolford.
Location of worship / Church Address
50 Centre Street
Spencerville,
ON
K0E 1X0
Canada
Phone: 613-269-4220
Fax: 613 658 2080
Download St. Laurence O'Toole vCard with Mass Times
Church Pastor
Fr. Mark Ruckpaul
Pastor
50 Centre Street
Spencerville,
ON
K0E 1X0
Canada
Phone: 613 658 3157
Fax: 613 658 2080
Download Pastor Fr. Mark Ruckpaul vCard
Quote of the Day
Matthew 7:6
Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.
Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.
Denomination
Roman Catholic
Roman Catholic churches in Spencerville, Ontario, Canada
Roman Catholic churches in Ontario, Canada
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Leadership
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Fr. Mark Ruckpaul
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Pastor
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613 658 2080
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Rev. Mark Mawson, Deacon
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St. Laurence O'Toole Leadership Photos
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Mailing Address
PO Box 250
48 Centre Street
Spencerville, Ontario
K0E 1X0
48 Centre Street
Spencerville, Ontario
K0E 1X0
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St. Laurence O'Toole Spencerville Mass Times
Sundays
9:00 am St. Laurence O'Toole, Spencerville
11:00 am St. Ann, Merrickville (Holy Rosary at 10:30 am)
Confessions
Confessions can be heard at the following times. Learn more about the Sacrament of Penance.
By personal request at all Masses
By appointment at any time by contacting the parish office
Eucharistic Adoration
Wednesdays
1:00 pm - 3:30 pm | St. Ann, Merrickville
(Please use ramped entrance on the east side of the Church.)
First Friday of the Month
10:00 am - 8:00 pm | St. Laurence O'Toole, Spencerville
2023 Christmas Mass Schedule
Mass for the Fourth Sunday of Advent will take place on the morning of December 24 at the regular time.
December 24 - The Nativity of the Lord
4:30 pm St. Laurence O'Toole, Spencerville (with Children's Choir and Pageant)
7:00 pm St. Ann, Merrickville (carols at 6:30 pm)
December 25 - Christmas
9:00 am St. Laurence O'Toole, Spencerville
11:00 am St. Ann, Merrickville
Mass Times last updated on the 16th of December, 2023
9:00 am St. Laurence O'Toole, Spencerville
11:00 am St. Ann, Merrickville (Holy Rosary at 10:30 am)
Confessions
Confessions can be heard at the following times. Learn more about the Sacrament of Penance.
By personal request at all Masses
By appointment at any time by contacting the parish office
Eucharistic Adoration
Wednesdays
1:00 pm - 3:30 pm | St. Ann, Merrickville
(Please use ramped entrance on the east side of the Church.)
First Friday of the Month
10:00 am - 8:00 pm | St. Laurence O'Toole, Spencerville
2023 Christmas Mass Schedule
Mass for the Fourth Sunday of Advent will take place on the morning of December 24 at the regular time.
December 24 - The Nativity of the Lord
4:30 pm St. Laurence O'Toole, Spencerville (with Children's Choir and Pageant)
7:00 pm St. Ann, Merrickville (carols at 6:30 pm)
December 25 - Christmas
9:00 am St. Laurence O'Toole, Spencerville
11:00 am St. Ann, Merrickville
Mass Times last updated on the 16th of December, 2023
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Under 18s:
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St. Laurence O'Toole Photo Gallery
St. Laurence O'Toole History
Our parish began in 1823 with priests visiting from Perth, Prescott, Smiths Falls, and Kemptville. A resident pastor was stationed at Merrickville in 1886, at which time it became a formal parish. The construction of the present church began in 1902. It was formally dedicated by the Most Rev. C.H. Gauthier, Archbishop of Kingston, on October 11, 1903.
Historical Highlights of Merrickville's Catholic Parish
c.1815
The British establish military settlements at Perth, Prescott and Richmond. Many Irish and Scottish Catholics being among the soldiers, a priest is assigned to the churches there. The mass immigration of 1816 brings many more Irish, and altogether there are 600 to 700 Catholics (including Canadians and Scots) in the Perth settlement. Missions spring up in the surrounding areas, and Fr. John MacDonald of Perth visits Merrickville to minister to area Catholics.
c.1820
Catholic churches built at Prescott and Brockville are served by one pastor whose united mission is spread through fifteen townships. Merrickville area Catholics can now be served from four surrounding priests' stations: Perth, Richmond, Prescott, and Brockville.
1826-1832
The building of the Rideau Canal brings many Irish and French workers to the area. Many of them later settle in the vicinity (now Jasper and Kilmarnock) and join earlier Irish immigrants, becoming Merrickville's pioneer Catholic families.
1827
Mass is said in the home of John Roche Sr. by Fr. John MacDonald of Perth. The Roche Farm was 7 miles from the Village. Sites of other Masses in the Mission include the homes of Michael Kelly, Mr. Fortier, and the blockhouse near the canal.
1836
A former storehouse near the canal is purchased at a cost of 70 pounds and used for Masses once a month. This house was on the site of the parish's first church.
1845
The cornerstone is laid for a new stone church (60x40 feet), built under Fr. Daniel Farrelly, Pastor of Kemptville and Merrickville. Mass was now said every second Sunday.
1848
Bishop Patrick Phelan blesses the new church, dedicates it to St. Ann, mother of the Blessed Virgin, and consecrates the graveyard on the Maitland Road.
1861-1875
Fr. William Harty enhances the church by purchasing a beautiful altar in Montreal and erecting the Stations of the Cross.
1886
Fr. John P. Kelly becomes the first resident pastor for Merrickville. He had often served in the village before from his base in Smiths Falls.
1887
The present brick rectory is built at a cost of some $4,000.
1901
A fire seriously damages the old church. Archbishop Charles Hugh Gauthier approves the building of a new church at a cost of about $10,000.
1902
The last Mass is celebrated in the burnt remains on April 6, 1902. On April 17, the foundation for a new church is laid out for excavating with the cornerstone of the new and present church laid on May 4. The first Mass is said in the new St. Ann's on December 14.
1903
The church is dedicated by Archbishop C.H. Gauthier on October 11.
1913
Archbishop Michael Joseph Spratt blesses the bell, giving it his own name: Michael Joseph.
1914
The first separate school in the area, St. Francis de Sales, opens in Smiths Falls. Many Merrickville families begin sending their children there.
1964
Fr. John Ferguson has a new main altar installed because of Vatican II calls for liturgical changes.
1970s
Fr. William Powell has the church interior painted and redecorated.
1991
The sacristy is transformed into a chapel for weekday Masses.
1992
With leadership from Fr. Brian Hart and the Parish Council, the foundation is laid for the North Grenville Community Hospice. A Francophone separate school, Sainte-Marguerite-Bourgeoys, is established in the old Town Hall (present-day Royal Canadian Legion).
1995
The present Sainte-Marguerite-Bourgeoys School is built at 306 Read Street.
2002
On May 1, the parish opens the time capsule placed in St. Ann's cornerstone 100 years earlier. Planning begins for a 2003 time capsule to be assembled and placed in the same cornerstone niche.
2003
The parish celebrates the centennial of the present church.
2022
The altar and tabernacle are installed in the centre, under the crucifix, again.
Parish website is established and launched. Tourists and visitors can now easily connect with the Church, including joining us for worship, during their visit to the Village.
Significant upgrades were made to the parish properties, including a new roof and front door for the rectory and the replacement of all exterior doors to the church building. New vestments and a new chalice and paten were purchased.
2023
The parish community celebrates 200 years of Catholicism in Merrickville.
A parish logo is commissioned to celebrate our faith and the roots of our community.
Resident Pastors
2022-Present Fr. Mark Ruckpaul
2011-2021 Fr. Julius Nwagbara
2008-2011 Fr. Tom McDonald
2005-2008 Fr. Cosmas O. Ajawara
1997-2005 Fr. Andrew Shim
1993-1997 Fr. Sebastian Amato
1987-1993 Fr. Brian Hart
1985-1987 Fr. Daniel Ryan
1981-1985 Fr. James G. Manning
1972-1981 Fr. William Powell
1968-1972 Fr. Francis M. O'Connor
1965-1968 Fr. R. John Ferguson
1964-1965 Fr. Edward J. Keyes
1961-1964 Fr. Thomas J. Larkin
1948-1961 Fr. John J. O'Neill
1931-1948 Fr. Thomas Joseph Scott
1923-1931 Fr. Patrick J. Keaney
1923 Fr. Francis P. Quinn
1920-1923 Fr. Michael E. Crawley
1911-1920 Fr. W.A. McDonagh
1899-1911 Fr. Alexander J. Carson
1894-1899 Fr. M. John McCarthy
1891-1894 Fr. Morgan C. O'Brien
1888-1891 Fr. Charles Joseph Duffus
1886-1888 Fr. John P. Kelly
Non-Resident Pastors
1877-1886 Fr. Edmund Patrick Roche (Smiths Falls)
1877-1878 Fr. Edward J. Walsh (Kemptville)
1875-1877 Fr. Michael Clune (Smiths Falls)
1861-1875 Fr. William M. Harty (Kemptville)
1860-1861 Fr. Michael Clune (Smiths Falls)
1859-1860 Fr. John Quirk
1857-1859 Fr. Terence Smith (Smiths Falls)
1856-1857 Fr. Bernard Coyle (Kemptville)
1844-1856 Fr. Daniel Farrelly (Kemptville)
1838-1844 Fr. James Clarke (Prescott)
1837-1838 Fr. James Campion (Prescott)
1823-1837 Fr. John MacDonald (Perth)
Historical Highlights of Merrickville's Catholic Parish
c.1815
The British establish military settlements at Perth, Prescott and Richmond. Many Irish and Scottish Catholics being among the soldiers, a priest is assigned to the churches there. The mass immigration of 1816 brings many more Irish, and altogether there are 600 to 700 Catholics (including Canadians and Scots) in the Perth settlement. Missions spring up in the surrounding areas, and Fr. John MacDonald of Perth visits Merrickville to minister to area Catholics.
c.1820
Catholic churches built at Prescott and Brockville are served by one pastor whose united mission is spread through fifteen townships. Merrickville area Catholics can now be served from four surrounding priests' stations: Perth, Richmond, Prescott, and Brockville.
1826-1832
The building of the Rideau Canal brings many Irish and French workers to the area. Many of them later settle in the vicinity (now Jasper and Kilmarnock) and join earlier Irish immigrants, becoming Merrickville's pioneer Catholic families.
1827
Mass is said in the home of John Roche Sr. by Fr. John MacDonald of Perth. The Roche Farm was 7 miles from the Village. Sites of other Masses in the Mission include the homes of Michael Kelly, Mr. Fortier, and the blockhouse near the canal.
1836
A former storehouse near the canal is purchased at a cost of 70 pounds and used for Masses once a month. This house was on the site of the parish's first church.
1845
The cornerstone is laid for a new stone church (60x40 feet), built under Fr. Daniel Farrelly, Pastor of Kemptville and Merrickville. Mass was now said every second Sunday.
1848
Bishop Patrick Phelan blesses the new church, dedicates it to St. Ann, mother of the Blessed Virgin, and consecrates the graveyard on the Maitland Road.
1861-1875
Fr. William Harty enhances the church by purchasing a beautiful altar in Montreal and erecting the Stations of the Cross.
1886
Fr. John P. Kelly becomes the first resident pastor for Merrickville. He had often served in the village before from his base in Smiths Falls.
1887
The present brick rectory is built at a cost of some $4,000.
1901
A fire seriously damages the old church. Archbishop Charles Hugh Gauthier approves the building of a new church at a cost of about $10,000.
1902
The last Mass is celebrated in the burnt remains on April 6, 1902. On April 17, the foundation for a new church is laid out for excavating with the cornerstone of the new and present church laid on May 4. The first Mass is said in the new St. Ann's on December 14.
1903
The church is dedicated by Archbishop C.H. Gauthier on October 11.
1913
Archbishop Michael Joseph Spratt blesses the bell, giving it his own name: Michael Joseph.
1914
The first separate school in the area, St. Francis de Sales, opens in Smiths Falls. Many Merrickville families begin sending their children there.
1964
Fr. John Ferguson has a new main altar installed because of Vatican II calls for liturgical changes.
1970s
Fr. William Powell has the church interior painted and redecorated.
1991
The sacristy is transformed into a chapel for weekday Masses.
1992
With leadership from Fr. Brian Hart and the Parish Council, the foundation is laid for the North Grenville Community Hospice. A Francophone separate school, Sainte-Marguerite-Bourgeoys, is established in the old Town Hall (present-day Royal Canadian Legion).
1995
The present Sainte-Marguerite-Bourgeoys School is built at 306 Read Street.
2002
On May 1, the parish opens the time capsule placed in St. Ann's cornerstone 100 years earlier. Planning begins for a 2003 time capsule to be assembled and placed in the same cornerstone niche.
2003
The parish celebrates the centennial of the present church.
2022
The altar and tabernacle are installed in the centre, under the crucifix, again.
Parish website is established and launched. Tourists and visitors can now easily connect with the Church, including joining us for worship, during their visit to the Village.
Significant upgrades were made to the parish properties, including a new roof and front door for the rectory and the replacement of all exterior doors to the church building. New vestments and a new chalice and paten were purchased.
2023
The parish community celebrates 200 years of Catholicism in Merrickville.
A parish logo is commissioned to celebrate our faith and the roots of our community.
Resident Pastors
2022-Present Fr. Mark Ruckpaul
2011-2021 Fr. Julius Nwagbara
2008-2011 Fr. Tom McDonald
2005-2008 Fr. Cosmas O. Ajawara
1997-2005 Fr. Andrew Shim
1993-1997 Fr. Sebastian Amato
1987-1993 Fr. Brian Hart
1985-1987 Fr. Daniel Ryan
1981-1985 Fr. James G. Manning
1972-1981 Fr. William Powell
1968-1972 Fr. Francis M. O'Connor
1965-1968 Fr. R. John Ferguson
1964-1965 Fr. Edward J. Keyes
1961-1964 Fr. Thomas J. Larkin
1948-1961 Fr. John J. O'Neill
1931-1948 Fr. Thomas Joseph Scott
1923-1931 Fr. Patrick J. Keaney
1923 Fr. Francis P. Quinn
1920-1923 Fr. Michael E. Crawley
1911-1920 Fr. W.A. McDonagh
1899-1911 Fr. Alexander J. Carson
1894-1899 Fr. M. John McCarthy
1891-1894 Fr. Morgan C. O'Brien
1888-1891 Fr. Charles Joseph Duffus
1886-1888 Fr. John P. Kelly
Non-Resident Pastors
1877-1886 Fr. Edmund Patrick Roche (Smiths Falls)
1877-1878 Fr. Edward J. Walsh (Kemptville)
1875-1877 Fr. Michael Clune (Smiths Falls)
1861-1875 Fr. William M. Harty (Kemptville)
1860-1861 Fr. Michael Clune (Smiths Falls)
1859-1860 Fr. John Quirk
1857-1859 Fr. Terence Smith (Smiths Falls)
1856-1857 Fr. Bernard Coyle (Kemptville)
1844-1856 Fr. Daniel Farrelly (Kemptville)
1838-1844 Fr. James Clarke (Prescott)
1837-1838 Fr. James Campion (Prescott)
1823-1837 Fr. John MacDonald (Perth)
St. Laurence O'Toole Historical Photos
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