Church celebrates 100 years this weekend
This Sunday, July 5, the bells of St. Gertrude’s Catholic Church in Woodstock will ring for their 100th anniversary.
“The current church was built 100 years ago,” said church member Majorie Allison-Ross. “The first St. Gertrude’s church burned down in 1925, and it was rebuilt and completed in 1926.”
The church is named for Saint Gertrude, who is notable for being the only female saint to earn the title “the great,” for her profound devotion to the Sacred Heart, and for her advanced intellect.
Starting in 1942, the church commissioned artist Guido Nincheri, nicknamed the “Michelangelo of Montreal,” to produce a series of stained-glass windows for the church that remain to this day.
Approximately 400 families belong to the church, with Alison-Ross estimating 200 or more attend on any given weekend.
According to Father Martin Arputham, HGN [Heralds of Good News, an international clerical missionary Society of Apostolic Life within the Roman Catholic Church], who leads the church, attendance has been increasing over time, primarily due to immigration in the area.
The anniversary will begin with a Sunday Mass, followed by a blessing of the church from Arputham.
From there, a potluck lunch will be held in the parish hall, with free hot dogs, and tents set up outside for people to relax and eat. Outside, face painting and balloon sculpture will be held alongside games to entertain attendees’ children.
Inside, there will be bingo and a photo booth. There will also be a draw for door prizes, such as paintings of the church, magnets, and mugs.There will also be a small selection of anniversary souvenirs for sale.
“Our heritage is important; to understand where we’ve come from, and hopefully where we’re going, gives people a better understanding of their families and what was important to their [ancestors] years ago,” said Allison-Ross when asked why events like this benefit the community.
When asked what she hopes families 100 years from now could gain from understanding us today, Allison-Ross replied that she hopes future generations remember the history of St. Gertrude’s and continue to have faith and belief in God.
“[That our] Education, Catholic service, and charity of the poor in Woodstock was outstanding and carried out, besides the basic things like the sacraments,” said Arputham when asked the same question.
