Denomination: Roman Catholic
St. Mary’s Parish was established in March of 1919, the second parish in Saskatoon. It’s original name was Our Lady of Victory, to celebrate the end of the First World War. Construction began in 1920. In 1927, the church was destroyed by fire, which led to the reconstruction of the church as it is today. New plans were drawn by architect Gentil Verbeke (who also designed the observatory at the University of Saskatchewan) and construction began in earnest. The cornerstone of the second church was laid by Bishop Prud’homme in May of 1930. The construction, directed by James Priel, went so well that the church was blessed and open in November of 1930. The Oblates of Mary Immaculate were in charge of the parish. They were French speaking, so it is no surprise that the building looks like a Quebec parish church. The Oblates ran the parish until 1934 when the Redemptorist Order (Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer) replaced them.
It is not surprising that a church dedicated to the Virgin Mary, Mother of God, would attract other Marian devotions, such as Our Lady of Perpetual Help. This icon has a long history as a devotion of the Redemptorists and is placed in an important position to the left of the chancel. There are also representations of Our Lady of Guadalupe and Our Lady of Fatima, which celebrate the strong ethnic diversity of St. Mary’s Parish.
It is not surprising that a church dedicated to the Virgin Mary, Mother of God, would attract other Marian devotions, such as Our Lady of Perpetual Help. This icon has a long history as a devotion of the Redemptorists and is placed in an important position to the left of the chancel. There are also representations of Our Lady of Guadalupe and Our Lady of Fatima, which celebrate the strong ethnic diversity of St. Mary’s Parish.
