About Our Lady of the Scapular

Our Lady of the Scapular has over 3,000 families and is one of the largest parishes in the diocese.  There are five elementary and one secondary schools within its boundaries; Notre Dame, St. Vincent de Paul, Mary Ward, Cardinal Newman, St. Gabriel Lalemant, and St. Paul Secondary High School.

HISTORY
Following the Second World War, Niagara Falls experienced a great increase in population.  The spiritual needs of the Catholic community called for new parishes to be established.  In response to these needs James Cardinal McGuigan, Archbishop of Toronto, erected a mission of St. Patrick Parish in Stamford Township.  Land was purchased from the tract known as "Cout's Farm" in Stamford Centre.

Fr. Wilfrid Smith, o.carm. was the first to celebrate Sunday Eucharist for the mission, which received its present name in recognition of the Carmelite Order.  The original building was a converted welding shop with seating for 100 people.

In June 1951 the mission was raised to the status of a parish and Fr. J. Austin Sweeney was appointed the first pastor on September 8, 1951.  In 1953 an addition was built increasing the seating to 280.

Construction work on the Sir Adam Beck Generating Station No. 2 brought a great influx of families into the area.  As well, the development of land formerly used for fruit farming brought with it increased demands upon the parish.  In 1960 ground was broken for a new church.  Chosen as the architect was Arthur Scott, with Dominion Construction as the contractor.

On November 1, 1960 Bishop Thomas McCarthy blessed the new church.  The old church became the parish hall.

After seventeen years as pastor, Fr. Sweeney was transferred to another parish.  Fr. Patrick Gravelle served as administrator until Fr. Emmet Lacey was appointed to the parish in 1969.  A major undertaking during his tenure was the building of the rectory.

In 1976 Msgr. Vincent Ferrando was appointed pastor, a position he held for 16 years before retiring in 1994.  In 1979 a chapel for the reserved Eucharist was added to the church.  In 1984 the parish hall was renovated and in 1992 an additional meeting room was added.