Monument helps mark church’s 100th

October 14, 2015 · 0 Comments

By Mark Pavilons
A lasting reminder of our roots now sits proudly on Church Street, in Schomberg.
St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church in Schomberg is marking its 100th anniversary this year and the congregation gathered Sunday to unveil its new monument.
On hand were parishioners and members of the community who rolled up their sleeves and pitched in with the beautification efforts.
The surface slab stone was sourced from the French River area of Ontario. The glacier surface stone was selected for its unique colouring and design as it blends with the artwork. The monument was installed on a concrete sleeve which will allow for ease of removal for plate fitting. This plate will be installed at a later date and will include the names of those that served on the Centennial Committee as well as those who made a contribution to the project.
The monument was unveiled by Lucy Stange and Joe Melo (co-chairs of the Centennial Committee) and blessed by Father Paul Hancko and Deacon Milan Popik.
The showpiece is a special granite sculpture, roughly six feet tall, courtesy of Joe Melo of Melo Landscaping and Allstone Quarry Products.
Melo wanted to incorporate a bit of the church’s past, its Irish heritage, along with modern times, as a tribute to the 100th birthday. He also contributed the stones for the new walkway, which have a fresh, energetic look. The sculpture provides a nice focal point, and there’s even a large rock placed just so that can be used as a bench.
Barry McCague, of McCague Landscaping, handled the installation and walkway.
A veteran landscaper and stone craftsman, Melo has been involved with the Peace Garden in Toronto, Science North and the Portuguese Walk of Fame, to name a few. Melo has been involved in the church renovations and the handicapped ramp which he oversaw in 2011.
He said the community really came together and put their hearts into this project, through donations of money, materials and labour.
The parish’s final celebration for 2015 will be a dinner planned for late October.
Its namesake, St. Patrick, was a bishop in Ireland and known as “the Apostle of Ireland.” Saint Patrick’s Day is observed on March 17, the date of his death.
Though established in 1876, the Schomberg parish did not have a church building for almost 40 years. Instead, Mass was celebrated in the chapel/living room of the rectory. In 1915, the current church was finally built using bricks from the former Lloydtown Methodist church.