Sacred Heart Church Mildmay Carlsruhe
Mildmay, Ontario, Canada
Diocese of Hamilton
150th Anniversary
1856 - 1906
Sacred Heart Church St. Francis Xavier Church
The native people of this area were first evangelized by Jesuit missionaries from France (1608-1649). Their leader, Fr. John de Brebeuf, along with seven other missionaries and many native people were martyred. "The blood of martyrs is the seed of Christians."
As German speaking settlers moved into this area in the mid 1800's, their needs were cared for by itinerant Jesuit missionaries, notably by Rev. Caspar Matoga, S. J.
As the number of families grew, regular masses were celebrated (St. Francis Xavier in Carlsruhe in 1853, St. Ignatius in Deemerton 1856, and Sacred Heart in Mildmay in 1877).
Fr. Francis X. Rassaerts became the pastor of St. Francis Xavier for 14 years starting in 1866. He built the present church in 1872 modelled after Roermund Cathedral in Holland. The acorn he brought with him is now a mighty oak tree. The chalice he carried with him from Holland in 1864 is still in use to this very day.
[picture of chalice]
The present stone church in Deemerton, St. Ignatius, was erected in 1872 replacing the log church built by Rev. William Blettner, S.J. in 1856. The first resident pastor was Fr. George Brohman in 1880.
The first church in "the Catholic town" of Mildmay was built in 1877. The first resident pastor was the Rev. Father Michael Halm. The corner stone of the present church was laid under the guidance of Rev. Father Rudolph Lehman on July 23, 1912. The church was dedicated to the Sacred Heart on November 23, 1913. The tower is visible for many miles. The bells have pealed and tolled for many happy and sad events in the lives of the parishioners. One of the beautiful stained glass windows commemorates his efforts by stating "This church is his work." Fr. Alphonsus C. Montag was pastor for 34 years, from 1917-1951.
We give thanks to the School Sisters of Notre Dame who arrived (1881) and served for many years teaching the faith to the next generations. Many vocations to the Priesthood, Sisterhood and Brotherhood were nourished by these early Pastors and Sisters.
[names of the Sisters]
A fire destroyed the sacristy on July 29, 1969. The local volunteer fire department, composed of many parishioners, was able to save the church. The parishioners of Sacred Heart are now looking forward to celebrating the centennial of our parish church in 2012.