About St. Alphonsus · Windsor, Ontario
St. Alphonsus Parish is a Roman Catholic parish located in the heart of downtown Windsor, Ontario, at the corner of Park and Goyeau Streets, just steps from the Windsor-Detroit Tunnel, City Hall, and Caesars Windsor. Founded in 1865 and dedicated on July 1 of that year — two years before Canadian Confederation — it is the oldest parish in what was then Windsor, and one of the ten parishes that originally formed the Diocese of London. The parish carried out Windsor's first mission to the African community in the 1880s, when Dean Wagner worked with the Religious Hospitallers of St. Joseph to educate Black children and, in 1889, to dedicate the 100-bed Hotel Dieu Hospital. Today St. Alphonsus belongs to the Windsor Heritage Catholic Family of Parishes, formed September 1, 2020, which also includes Assumption, St. Angela Merici, the St. Daniel Comboni African Catholic Community, and the St. Benedict Tridentine Catholic Community.
- Established
- 1865
- Patron
- St. Alphonsus Liguori (18th-century Italian priest, lawyer, and founder of the Redemptorists)
- Rector
- Fr. Timothy Scott, CSB (Pastor of the Windsor Heritage Catholic Family of Parishes; began July 2024)
- Diocese
- Diocese of London, Ontario
Why belong here
St. Alphonsus is the historic heart of downtown Windsor Catholicism — the city's oldest parish (1865), just steps from the Windsor-Detroit Tunnel and City Hall. It serves a diverse downtown population through St. Alphonsus Cares, a free, volunteer-run outreach offering weekly bingo, exercise classes, a community meal every Friday, men's and women's groups, and a 'Birthday Bank' for families who need a hand. The parish is also the hub of the Windsor Heritage Catholic Family of Parishes, sharing pastoral staff (Basilian Fathers and others), RCIA, faith formation, the Catholic Women's League, Knights of Columbus, and ministries to the poor, university students, young adults, and youth across downtown Windsor.
Mass times at St. Alphonsus
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 4:00 pm – 4:45 pm
- Wednesday: 11:00 am – 11:45 am
Adoration times
- Thursdays after the 12 noon Mass
History of St. Alphonsus Parish
St. Alphonsus, founded and dedicated on July 1, 1865, is the oldest Catholic parish in what was then Windsor and one of the ten parishes that originally formed the Diocese of London. It grew out of Assumption Parish as the area's Catholic population expanded in the 1860s. In the 1880s, under the leadership of Dean Wagner, it became the home of Windsor's first mission to the African-Canadian community and the base from which the Religious Hospitallers of St. Joseph launched their work, including the 100-bed hospital blessed October 15, 1889 that grew into Hotel-Dieu Grace. The parish marked its 150th anniversary in 2015 with a message from Pope Francis. Today it is part of the Windsor Heritage Catholic Family of Parishes, formed September 1, 2020.
- Founded 1865 (dedicated July 1, 1865 — two years before Confederation).
- One of the ten original parishes of the Diocese of London.
- 1880s: Dean Wagner's mission to Windsor's African community.
- 1888: Mother Paquette and Sisters of St. Joseph arrive to teach and to build a hospital.
- 1889: 100-bed hospital blessed October 15.
- 2015: 150th anniversary; Pope Francis sends a letter to the parish.
- September 1, 2020: Joins the Windsor Heritage Catholic Family of Parishes.
Sacramental Preparation
St. Alphonsus offers the full suite of parish sacraments through the Windsor Heritage Catholic Family of Parishes. These include Baptism, Reconciliation, Confirmation, First Reconciliation and First Communion, Marriage, and the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA).
- Baptism
- Reconciliation (Confession)
- Confirmation
- First Reconciliation and First Communion
- Marriage
- RCIA — for adults seeking baptism, confirmation, and Eucharist, and for unbaptized children over age 7 (adapted to the child's level)
RCIA — Becoming Catholic
The parish RCIA process welcomes adults interested in becoming Catholic and adults baptized Catholic as children who have not yet received Confirmation and Eucharist. Sessions take place in a small-group setting and focus on scripture, the teachings of the Church, community life, and formation for mission. Participants celebrate the Sacraments of Initiation — Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist — at the Easter Vigil.
- Open to catechumens and to baptized but uncatechized adults
- Includes evangelization, catechesis, community engagement, and formation for mission
- Children over 7 follow an adapted track
- Contact: Jacob Allin, Receptionist — 519-253-2493 / [email protected]
St. Alphonsus Cares — Community Outreach
St. Alphonsus Cares is the parish's downtown outreach program, offering free programs and events to anyone living in downtown Windsor. Supported by volunteers, it partners with other city organizations to build a more compassionate neighbourhood. Programs are open to all and are not strictly 'faith-based.' Outreach is coordinated by Sr. Connie Harrington, SNJM.
- Monday: Bingo, 1:00–3:00 pm
- Tuesday: Exercise with Darrin, 1:00 pm
- Wednesday: Hang Out Hub, 12:00–2:30 pm
- Friday: Community Meal, 5:00–6:00 pm (doors open 4:00)
- Men's Group — alternate Tuesdays, 4:30–6:00 pm
- Women's Group — alternate weeks
- Birthday Bank — gifts for children whose birthdays fall in the current month
- Contact: Sr. Connie Harrington — 519-253-2493 ext. 242 / [email protected]
Parish Ministries and Groups
St. Alphonsus offers a wide range of lay ministries and parish groups through the Windsor Heritage Catholic Family of Parishes, including liturgical service at weekend Masses, faith formation, and outreach to the poor, university students, young adults, and families.
- Liturgical Ministries for Weekend Masses
- Ministry to the Poor
- Catholic Women's League (CWL)
- Knights of Columbus
- Basilian Lay Associates
- University Campus Ministry
- Young Adult Ministry
- Youth and Family Ministry
- Family Pastoral Council
- Family Finance Council
Pastoral Team and Staff
The parish is served by the Basilian Fathers (Congregation of St. Basil), with Fr. Timothy Scott, CSB as Pastor of the Windsor Heritage Catholic Family of Parishes since July 2024. He is assisted by three Parochial Vicars and a retired Basilian in residence, with three deacons supporting pastoral and liturgical life. Lay staff include records, finance, outreach, property, and reception roles.
- Fr. Timothy Scott, CSB — Pastor ([email protected], ext. 222)
- Fr. Kevin Mannara, CSB — Parochial Vicar ([email protected], ext. 225)
- Fr. David Basil, CSB — Parochial Vicar ([email protected], ext. 226)
- Fr. Gabriel Eneke, SDV — Parochial Vicar ([email protected], ext. 227)
- Fr. Jim O'Neill, CSB — Priest in Residence (retired)
- Deacon Paul Bezaire, Deacon Gerard Charette, Deacon Edward Czilli
- Kelly Bondy — Records Secretary
- Inna Vishruthi Yeruva — Receptionist
- Sr. Connie Harrington, SNJM — Community Outreach Coordinator
- Tim McKinley — Property Manager & Website Coordinator
- Robert Bernier — Caretaker (10+ years at St. Alphonsus)
Windsor Heritage Catholic Family of Parishes
St. Alphonsus belongs to the Windsor Heritage Catholic Family of Parishes, formed September 1, 2020. The family brings together some of the most historically significant parishes in the Diocese of London and shares pastoral staff, councils, and programming across its members. Each parish or community retains its own identity while collaborating as a single pastoral team.
- Assumption Parish — serving the Italian community of Windsor-Essex
- St. Angela Merici Parish — serving West Windsor and the University of Windsor
- St. Daniel Comboni Catholic Community — Windsor's African Catholic congregation
- St. Benedict Tridentine Catholic Community — Latin Mass community
- St. Alphonsus Parish — serving Downtown Windsor (the oldest parish in the family)
Bulletin and Online Resources
The parish publishes a weekly bulletin that parishioners can read online or subscribe to by email. Online prayer and formation resources include Weekly Gospel Reflections, an Online Prayer Group, an 'Ask Me Anything' group, a Jubilee 2025 resource page, and ongoing faith-formation content for adults.
- Weekly bulletin (online + email subscription)
- Weekly Gospel Reflections
- Online Prayer Group
- Ask Me Anything Group
- Jubilee 2025 resources
- Adult Faith Formation / Lectio Divina / Scripture / Lent / Prayer pages
Supporting the Parish
Parishioners and visitors can support St. Alphonsus through online donations via the parish website. Outreach through St. Alphonsus Cares is sustained by donations, grants, and a large volunteer base coordinated by Sr. Connie Harrington.
- Online donation via stalphonsuschurch.ca
- Volunteer opportunities through St. Alphonsus Cares outreach
- Grant-funded community programs
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. (Dean) Wagneractive by 1886
Pastor in the 1880s who championed the African-Canadian mission, recruited the Religious Hospitallers of St. Joseph from Montreal, helped build Hotel Dieu Hospital (dedicated Oct 15, 1889), and sold European paintings to furnish the church.