About Us

Welcome to St. Mary's Parish Community!

At St. Mary’s, we are a vibrant, family-friendly parish that warmly welcomes all who seek to grow in faith. Whether you’re new to the area or a long-time resident, we invite you to become part of our community, where every person is valued, and the love of Christ is shared.

Our parish offers a range of programs for all ages — from children and youth to young adults and families. We strive to cultivate a Catholic spirit of life and worship, embracing God’s mercy and joy.

The beauty of our heritage church, recently restored in 2019, is a testament to our rich history and ongoing commitment to the faith. We invite you to visit and experience its magnificence firsthand. Join us for Mass any Sunday or weekday — you’ll always find a place here.

If you're new, please introduce yourself to one of our priests so we can personally welcome you. We also encourage you to register with our parish, as we look forward to growing together in faith and community.

If you're visiting, we hope you felt at home with us and look forward to your return.

God’s blessings to you and to the City of Kawartha Lakes!

A Brief History of St. Mary's Parish

St. Mary’s Parish began in 1830 when Fr. Crowley celebrated the first Mass in the home of settler John Maloney. Early Masses were held in homes across the area as priests from Peterborough visited the settlers.

In 1840, Fr. Hugh Fitzpatrick became the first resident priest and began constructing the parish's first church—a log building at the corner of Russell and Lindsay Streets. The church was completed in 1841, and the first Mass was celebrated there on November 1. The church moved to its current location on Russell Street East in 1854, where it continued to grow with key milestones, including the establishment of a cemetery, the opening of local schools, and the construction of the convent in 1874.

Through the 20th century, the parish experienced many renovations, including the installation of stained-glass windows, the addition of a new pipe organ, and improvements to the church’s heating and lighting systems. St. Mary’s also became a hub for the community, with the formation of groups like the Knights of Columbus and the Catholic Women’s League (CWL), and the building of local schools like St. Dominic’s and St. Mary’s Separate School.

A significant chapter in our parish history unfolded in 2019, when under the leadership of Fr. Tom Lynch, the St. Mary’s community undertook a complete restoration of the church building. The restoration was a labor of love and dedication by parishioners, and the church was rededicated by Bishop Daniel Miehm after its revitalization.

In 2021, St. Mary’s was entrusted to the care of the Institute of the Incarnate Word (IVE), a religious order founded in 1984. Fr. Joseph LoJacono, IVE, became the first pastor from this order, shepherding the parish with a renewed commitment to faith and service. Today, St. Mary’s continues to flourish under the guidance of Fr. Dominic Clovis, IVE, with Fr. Felipe Preciado, IVE, serving as his assistant. Together, they continue to lead the parish, carrying forward the mission of the Church to nurture faith and serve the community.

St. Mary’s has remained a beacon of light and hope, a place where generations of families have gathered to worship, grieve, celebrate, and grow together. Our parish is a testament to the hard work and dedication of all who have gone before us. We continue to honor their legacy and invite you to be a part of the next chapter in the life of this vibrant parish community.

Parish Priest Roll (1840 to Present)

    Rev. Hugh Fitzpatrick

    Rev. Father Roche

    Rev. Father McCormick

    Rev. F. P. McEvoy

    Rev. Father Chisholm, D.D.

    Rev. Jas. Farrelly

    Rev. Michael Stafford

    Rev. Michael Lynch

    Rt. Rev. P. D. Laurent, V.G.

    Rt. Rev. Monsignor D. Casey

    Very Rev. George Whibbs

    Rt. Rev. Monsignor W. J. McColl, V.G.

    Rt. Rev. J. V. McAuley, D.P.

    Rev. Cyril Carroll

    Rev. Monsignor G. Sullivan

    Rev. Louis Dubbury

    Rev. Raymond Hart

    Rev. David Bollo

    Rev. Joseph Moran

    Rev. Peter Seabrooke

    Rev. James Sercely

    Rev. Brian McColl

    Rev. Tom Lynch

    Rev. Fr. Balonwu Okpe

    Fr. Joseph LoJacono, IVE

    Fr. Dominic Clovis, IVE (current)