theParish History

Precious Blood Cathedral is the oldest Roman Catholic Church in Sault Ste. Marie. The present Church was constructed in 1875, but a much smaller church stood on the site in 1852 and before that, a log cabin was used to hold Masses back to 1790. The first Mass in Sault Ste. Marie wsa celebrated by two Jesuit missionaires, Father Raybonbault and St. Isacc Joques in 1641.

The first written evidence of a church building on the present Cathedral site is found in and 1846 description of hte old log chapel on the site. The description stated: in 1846 William Cullen Bryant took a stroll where he pointed out a church and a burial ground west of the Old Stone House in the town of St. Mary's.

In 1841 an effort had been made to build a stone ediface but the difficulties were too great and the work was stopped. In 1857 Jesuit Father Jean Baptiste Menet built the wooden chapel where the Catholic community worshipped until 1875 when the present church was constructed.

In 1870, the Reverend Jean Francois Jamot, Vicar Apostolic of Northern Canada took up residence in Sault Ste. Marie and the buiding of the present stone church was initiated by him. The name of the church at the time was Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church. Some of the stone used to build the church was hauled over the ice from the excavation of the Weitzel Lock on the American side of the St. Mary's River. While the rest of the stones were donated by residents and parishioners.

In 1868 Father A. Kohler, S.J. became the first resident priest.

All the stain glass windows in the church date back to 1901 and came from the N.T. Lyon Company in Toronto.

Sacred Heart School which stood behind the church had it's first classroom in the St. Anne's Room until the school was completed in 1889.

An addition in 1901 was the nineteen foot tall stained glass window.

Under Bishop Scollard, Sacred Heart Church became the new diocese of Sault Ste. Marie. This was the same year, 1904, which saw an addition to the principle structure of the church . The bell tower had been the crown of the church and a landmark since 1875 but until 1904 it had not bell. According to an article in the Sault Star of 1904, the bell came to the Sault at a cost of $1,000.00 and was made by Messrs. Meneely and Company of Troy, New York. The bell weighs 2,300 pounds and is made of brass and copper. The bell is impressed with the Saced Heart and has the names of Bishop O'Connor and 45 members of the congregation.

The bell tower itself is built in sections with wooden beams placed horizontally to support the sandstone walls. Thin lancet windows in the tower are not stain glass but are clear to illuminate the interior. Topping the belfry is a four-sided pointed spire covered with slate shingles in a diamond style arrangement. Each of the four pinnacles is tipped by a finial made of wood. The spire itself is painted white and capped with a wooden cross.

In 1912 the Pipe Organ was put in the Church.

In December 1924 the marble alter made of Italian granite was placed in the church.

In 1936 the parish name was changed to Precious Blood and a new vestry was built.

In 1963 Monsignor O'Leary undertook more remodelling of the interior of the church.

In 1964 the present rectory was built to replace the origional rectory which dated back to 1875.

In 1975, the Chruch's Centennial year, the origional cornerstone was located. It had been buried due to the raised landscaping of the lawn. The cornerstone contained 1875 coins and documents stored in a bottle. The documents were damaged but the coins were in good condition.

During the centennial year, Bishop Pappin took residence at the Cathedral as an Auxilliary to Bishop Alexander Carter.

Precious Blood cathedral has since been proclaimed a historical site by the Ministry of Culture and Recreation and a plaque noting this is located in the front of the church.

In 1989 a new entrance was built from the parking lot to the Church.

In 1993 the hand carved oak statues of the Holy Family were grouped int he east transept.

2004 saw the construction of the "Serenety Walls" to remember the families and individuals of Parish Blood Cathedral.