Monument (seen in the header photo) and Plaques to St. Andrews Convent, and teaching sisters, 1909 – 2024, located in the cemetery on the west side of Highway 138, south of the Church. A survey of local residents revealed that this was the favoured location for the monument.
The speed with which the Convent was demolished in 2024 and then commemorated within year a with this impressive monument, marking its leading role in the community, must count as one of the most efficient and timely tributes ever made to a historic landmark in SDG.
Appreciating the place the Convent played in the Community, South Stormont Council, on the urging of the Cornwall Township Historical Society, pledged their financial support for the project headed by Deputy mayor Andrew Guindon and carried to completion by Historical Society Members Maureen McAlear, Don McIntosh, Mary Joyce Smith and Joe Wheeler.
Committee member Don McIntosh guided the event before more than eighty people by inviting Maureen McAlear to provide some historic background. She started her presentation by noting how most members of the community “carry their own special memories of the building that we all knew as ‘the convent.” With this monument, “I believe that we are honouring all those who lived and worked in St. Andrews Parish since the building of the first convent in 1848. We honour those who taught and lived our Catholic faith…”
“The lower plaque on this monument is the dedication stone from the first convent built in 1848. The Parish was first served by the Grey Nuns and later the Congregation of Notre Dame until the arrival of the Sisters of St. Joseph in 1918. The original building was replaced by the building which we commemorate today. Completed in 1909…”
“The Pastor of St. Andrew Parish during the…building of this convent was Fr. Donald C. McRae. Sadly, he died in 1908 before its completion but he left a bequest which was of great benefit to the project. The upper plaque on this monument was” from the original building and pays respect to Father McCrae. Below you can see the Plaque to Father McRae.
McIntosh now commended Tim Stanley and David McConnachie from Architecture 49 for designing a monument with historic integrity, and then went onto praise mason Pierre Grenier of Summit Masonry for his masterful work.
Above photo: Event Chair Don McIntosh, right, thanking mason Pierre Grenier standing with his daughter, Kynsten, in front of the monument.
South Stormont Councilor Jennifer McIsaac (seen above) followed, saying said “it is a true honour to represent South Stormont Council today, at this dedication ceremony for the Raisin River Heritage Centre.”
“In St. Andrews, history is all around us – woven into the land, the buildings and the stories of the people who came before us. Preserving that history is not only a way of honouring our past, but also a gift…to future generations.”
“Council recognized the importance of this project and approved the funding to ensure that a monument would stand as a permanent reminder of the legacy of the…Heritage Centre. Just as important as the funding, was the preservation of artifacts from the original building – including 2,500 bricks and the statues (of St. Andrew and St. Joseph) – that now form part of this monument. These pieces connect us tangibly to the past, and keep its memory alive in a meaningful way.”
“On behalf of Council, I would like to sincerely thank the Cornwall Township Historical Society for their dedication and vision to bring this project forward. Your efforts have been essential in ensuring that this important piece of our community’s history is preserved…”
“This monument stands as a symbol of heritage, pride, and community – reminding us that history can be carried forward when we work together.”
St. Andrews Parish Father Louis Groetelaars Blessing the monument and stating it is a “Lasting reminder of the Sisters enduring legacy.”
THE PLAQUE:
This monument stands as a tribute to the former Raisin River Heritage Centre and Catholic Convent. The building opened in 1909, replacing the first convent on the site constructed in 1848. It was located on the grounds near the present site of St. Andrews School and served as a boarding school and convent for the teaching Sisters of Notre Dame and in later years the Sisters from the Order of St. Joseph. It was vacated by the Sisters in 1976. Facing demolition, the community rallied to save the building. Through the efforts of the Cornwall Township Historical Society and the former Township of Cornwall, the building became the Raisin River Heritage Centre serving the community for many years as a meeting place, library and museum.
St. Andrews’ “Queen Anne,” style Convent, 1909 – 2024, served as a Convent and boarding school until 1976, after which it became the Raisin River Heritage Centre.
In 1942, St. Andrews Catholic High School was built adjacent to the Convent, until it was demolished in 1984 The Sisters of St. Joseph provided an education for generations of children from this community in these buildings. Our Parish of St. Andrews will forever be grateful to them for their tremendous dedication.
S. Andrews Catholic High School, 1942 – 84. Vacant for several years and despite the best efforts of many to repurpose it, the building (Convent) continued to deteriorate leading to its demise in 2024…
The monument (and plaques) honours the sacrifice and faith of those who built the Convent years ago.
For generations to come it will carry of the story of the vision, hard work and faith of our forefathers.
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Great story as always Ian.