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History of our Church
In the late 1960's a priest dreamed of building an Italian parish in the growing
Italian community in the Ville LaSalle area on the island of Montreal.
John Zabotto, along with the Italians of LaSalle, went in search of land
for a future church in this community. After an extensive search, they
located an area around Newman boulevard and Thierry, which corresponded
to the expectations of the ever growing Italian presence in the area.
The first Madre dei Cristiani Church was designed by Christian Bracco
Pero and was built by engineer Rodolfo De Paoli in 1970. In 1972, Rodolfo
De Paol eng., was engaged to build the parsonage adjoining the church.
The first Mass was celebrated in March 1970 in honor of Mary, Mother of
All Christians. For the first two years of the Consolata missionary priests
served the Community. Since 1972, the Scalabrini Fathers have performed
this task. At first, the Mother of All Christian Mission was a branch
of St. John Bosco Parish in Ville Emard, and then 'become the driving
force and vital for all Italians of the south-west sector of Montreal.
With the increasing numbers in population and its growing needs in the
early 1990s, it was decided to build a new church with underground parking
spaces and one that would more closely fit the growing spiritual reality
and social life of this community of about 4000 families.
Therefore, after collecting enough funds and having received approval
from the bishop of Montreal, the construction process of the new building
commenced under the guidance of the young parish priest Father Ruggiero.
The old church built on April 17, 1999 was demolished and the new building
was inaugurated March 18, 2000.
On April 9, 2005 the Church was consecrated.
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