Beginnings
Saint Gregory The Great Parish finds its origins In the summer of 1966. The Catholic community of that portion of the city of Cambridge, then known as Galt, were members of either of two then existing parishes, St. Patrick’s and St. Ambrose.
This community was continuing to grow in large numbers and it became evident that more accommodation was needed. Bishop Joseph F. Ryan, then Bishop of the Diocese of Hamilton, in giving recognition to the expansion requirements needed in Galt, encouraged discussion on the matter through the pastors of the two existing parishes. Bishop Ryan also invited several Galt lay residents to review the matter with him in Hamilton early in October 1966.
The Bishop first encouraged the replacement of St. Patrick’s built in 1832, with a new church or its enlargement, to be subsequently followed by the establishment of a new parish on the west side of the Grand River which flows through the centre of Galt. At this time, St. Gregory Separate School was constructing a new addition containing an auditorium due to be completed in the summer of 1967. This could possibly also serve temporarily as the sight for the new parish. Nevertheless, a committee was formed in November of 1966 to assist in the evaluation of all aspects of expansion and to make recommendations accordingly.
In 1967 There was an indication that the Order of St. Augustine (The Augustinians) could perhaps have an interest in establishing a Foundation in the Diocese of Hamilton, thereby, providing the much needed priests to serve the needs of this new parish to be formed in the City of Galt.
After the meeting between Bishop Ryan and Father Cavanaugh of the Augustinians, Father Cavanaugh in a letter dated 4 April 1967 to the Bishop stated “Thank you
for a wonderful visit we had to Hamilton and your generous kindness in taking us to Galt and allowing us to visit the site of the Parish was the convincing stroke as far as I am concerned.” The over-all impression of Fr. Cavanaugh was !!great”.
In a subsequent letter of Fr. Cavanaugh dated 18 April 1967, he wrote Bishop Ryan stating that the Augustinian would assume the obligations of this parish should you decide to invite us to come. Bishop Ryan then authorized the official formation of St. Gregory’s Parish and invited the Augustinians to staff it. The newly appointed pastor of St. Gregory’s was the Reverend James S. Reilly,O.S.A., who arrived in Galt on 25 April 1967 and took up temporary residence at St. Ambrose Rectory. Father Reilly had spent many years in parish work, seminary duties and administration. On Sunday, 7 May 1967, announcements were made in the Catholic churches of the appointment of Father Reilly as pastor and the intended formation of a new parish in Galt to be named Saint Gregory the Great Parish. This news brought great joy to the Catholic community of West Galt as they now had a parish to call home.
First Celebration of Sunday Eucharist
Pending completion of the St. Gregory Separate School auditorium, arrangements were made for the use of the auditorium at the Highland Public School for Sunday Masses. The first Mass was held there on Sunday, 11 June 1967. A great deal of preparation was required including the procurement of a temporary altar, vestments, books, etc. Arrangements also had to be made to store these materials during the week at St. Gregory School. The auditorium of Highland School could accommodate 250 people and the very first Masses were filled to capacity. The first Masses were offered at 9:00 am and 10:30 am on 11 June 1967.
From the Parish Archives