70 Years of Faith and Fellowship in Aylmer

Still Standing, Still Smiling: St. Mark’s Parish Celebrates 70 Years of Faith and Fellowship in Aylmer

In a world where fashions fade, gadgets glitch, and even coffee shops come and go—St. Mark’s Parish has stood strong (and blessed) in downtown Aylmer for an incredible 70 years.

Founded in 1955 on land generously donated by several local families—who clearly knew how to spot a good spiritual investment—St. Mark’s was established to serve Aylmer’s growing English-speaking Catholic population. Following a formal petition to the Archbishop of Ontario, the parish was officially approved on June 8, 1955, and Mass was held in the Redemptorist Monastery (across the street, conveniently) until the church building was ready in early 1958.

The first official Mass in the new church was celebrated on February 23, 1958. Some say the pews still creak with joy.

Since then, St. Mark’s has been much more than bricks, mortar and stained glass. It’s a living, breathing community of laughter, tears, casseroles, and candlelight vigils. It’s also home to a host of ministries, from the energetic Youth Group to the hard-working St. Vincent de Paul Society, the always-organized Catholic Women’s League, the well-fed Knights of Columbus, and many more.

And yes, over the years, St. Mark’s has seen it all—floods, fires, ice storms, power outages, and more coffee spills than we care to admit. During the 1998 ice storm, while much of Quebec shivered in the dark, St. Mark’s flung open its doors to provide warmth, food, and a reminder that candles are not just for ambiance.

Refugee families from around the world have found a lifeline here—thanks to volunteers who offer housing support, language assistance, and the occasional lasagne. During the COVID-19 pandemic, St. Mark’s embraced technology (and learned what “unmute” meant) by streaming Masses on YouTube—a tradition that still brings people together in pyjamas across Aylmer.

And don’t forget the Backpack Program—a recent initiative helping the homeless with essentials packed not only with care, but very likely with some cookies, too.

To mark its Jubilee Year—themed “Pilgrims of Hope”—St. Mark’s is planning a weekend celebration on June 7–8, 2025, filled with memories, music, prayer, and maybe even a dance move or two (voluntary, of course).

“Keeping a parish going for 70 years is no small task,” said one parishioner. “It takes faith, dedication, duct tape, and a lot of potlucks. But most of all, it takes people who care.”

St. Mark’s invites the community—past, present, and curious—to come celebrate this milestone and be part of the next chapter in its story.

From the team at St. Mark’s,

Aylmer