The fight to save an iconic Windsor structure has endured missteps along the way, according to a report submitted to the Diocese of London.
The interim report released publicly on Saturday, lays out the efforts made by a variety of stakeholders to preserve Assumption Church, whose spire continues to dominate the west Windsor landscape.
Windsor lawyer Paul Mullins prepared the 48-page report at the request of Bishop Ronald Fabbro, head of the diocese, to identify options for the future of the church building. The summary was produced in cooperation with the Rev. Maurice Restivo, current pastor of Assumption Parish; as well as the former directors of the Assumption Heritage Trust, a group set up to oversee the fundraising and restoration of the church.
Mullins' missive chronicles the nine-year battle over the future of the parish, including the hiring, then firing, of a consultant group to handle the fundraising; the war of words between the consultant group and Bishop Fabbro; and the closure of the church itself due to its dilapidated state.
The consultant group, Philanthropic Management Consultants Inc. (PMC), was hired by the diocese in 2009 to oversee fundraising for Assumption. They reported directly to Auxiliary Bishop R. Anthony Daniels, who was based in Windsor. When he left for Newfoundland and Labrador in 2011, Bishop Fabbro assumed his role.
PMC set up a confidential agreement with the diocese to raise about $9.6-million to restore the church and grounds. Despite a strong start for the PMC campaign, many parishioners began questioning its effectiveness, and a dispute was raised between PMC and the diocese concerning restoration itself. The diocese terminated PMC's campaign in 2012.
PMC had accused Bishop Fabbro and the diocese of pulling the plug on the fundraising. The diocese has denied that charge. The report lists 17 different points supporting the idea that Fabbro has been on board with renovating Assumption Church from the beginning.
After the PMC agreement ended, Windsor preservation advocate Ed Agnew was asked to help oversee a new fundraising campaign, according to the report. By that time, the cost of restoring the church had risen to $15-million. Two donors, local philanthropist Al Quesnel and an anonymous donor, pledged a total of $10-million in donations. When Quesnel's contribution was rejected as he fought and beat a criminal charge; the anonymous donor increased its donation to the $10-million sum. However, the diocese said the anonymous donation failed to come together.
The church was closed as an active place of worship in the fall of 2014.
Quesnel offered this week yet another $5-million, according to published reports, on the condition that public donors match his donation so restoration work can begin.
The church, which abuts the University of Windsor campus, had stood on the site since 1842 when it was part of Sandwich Towne. The parish itself is one of the oldest in North America, first established in 1767. Despite it not being used for regular Masses, it is still used for special occasions. Parishioners currently attend Mass at Holy Name of Mary, near Wilson Park.
The report lists a variety of options concerning the future of Assumption Church: •Restore it to its status as a parish church, a move preferred by a majority of parishioners •Making Holy Name of Mary the official parish church; a step not recommended in the report due to its location and its lack of an onsite rectory and parish office •Turning responsibility of Assumption over to the St. Benedict Tridentine Catholic Community, the traditional Latin Mass community •Repurposing Assumption for another purpose or community need •Turning responsibility of Assumption Church over to the university, which would be challenged for finding a need for the structure. The diocese said in the past, though, that this is not an active option. •Creating an indigenous university or institute
A new interim report will be published later this fall. It is expected to include cost estimates for the restoration of Assumption and Holy Name of Mary, the results of an architectural review and a demographic planning summary.