Denomination: Roman Catholic
St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church has a long, rich history in the Niagara Region. It is one of five churches in the former town of Merritton, which consisted of a small area centred on the Glendale and Merritt Street intersection and bounded by the old canal on one side and the CNR railway tracks on the other. Merritton's founder, St. Catharines entrepreneur, William Hamilton Merritt, built the first Welland Canal (1829), which became a catalyst for the development of manufacturing and housing in the area, with service groups, athletic associations, and churches now serving as the major forms of community organization.
During the 1850s, the Catholic population increased more quickly than at any other time in its history, both in the Niagara Peninsula and Ontario generally. By 1860 there were five parish churches with resident priests, and a year later, the Deanery of St. Catharines was established. By 1875, Thorold, Port Colborne, and Cayuga each added parishes, and by 1900, Smithville, Merritton, and Dunnville followed this example.
The parish of St. Patrick's was established in 1883, but had its beginnings in Thorold. The Rev. M. McLaughlin became the first resident priest and ministered to Thorold and the Town of Merritton. Under the direction of the Rev. Fr. Sullivan from Holy Rosary Church in Thorold, the Merritton parish came into its own. St. Patrick's was named, of course, after the British-born Apostle of Ireland, Saint Patrick (c.385-461), who is credited with the conversion of the Irish despite their earlier persecution of him.
During the 1850s, the Catholic population increased more quickly than at any other time in its history, both in the Niagara Peninsula and Ontario generally. By 1860 there were five parish churches with resident priests, and a year later, the Deanery of St. Catharines was established. By 1875, Thorold, Port Colborne, and Cayuga each added parishes, and by 1900, Smithville, Merritton, and Dunnville followed this example.
The parish of St. Patrick's was established in 1883, but had its beginnings in Thorold. The Rev. M. McLaughlin became the first resident priest and ministered to Thorold and the Town of Merritton. Under the direction of the Rev. Fr. Sullivan from Holy Rosary Church in Thorold, the Merritton parish came into its own. St. Patrick's was named, of course, after the British-born Apostle of Ireland, Saint Patrick (c.385-461), who is credited with the conversion of the Irish despite their earlier persecution of him.
