Before the 1960s, all Catholics in this part of Nepean belonged to St. Augustine Parish, which at the time stretched from St. George’s near Island Park Drive to St. Patrick’s in Fallowfield.

In the spring of 1963, Fr. Fredrick of St. Augustine announced that Archbishop Plourde had authorized the creation of a new parish, St. Maurice, along with a satellite chapel to be known as St. Monica. Fr. Dorion was appointed pastor and administrator of both communities. Parishioners living west of Merivale Road and south of Baseline became part of St. Maurice, while those east of Merivale and south of Viewmont formed the new St. Monica community. These changes took effect immediately.

Fr. Dorion quickly organized a committee to find temporary worship spaces and begin planning for two new churches. It soon became clear that the St. Maurice and St. Monica groups held different visions. For example, members of St. Maurice opposed the idea of a parish hall attached to the church, while the St. Monica community believed such a hall was essential to serve as the religious, cultural, and social heart of the parish. Recognizing these differences, Archbishop Plourde wisely directed each community to proceed separately.

The first St. Monica Committee included:

Msgr. Lapierre – Pastor
Gus Klovan – Secretary/Treasurer
Sam MacDonald – Plant & Real Estate
Gerry Lafromboise – Administration

With input from parishioners, the committee selected a site, an architect, and developed plans to finance and build what would become our beloved church—constructed in 1965 at a cost of $150,000. In the meantime, Masses were first held in the Nepean Public School auditorium (1963), then in a small classroom at St. Monica School, and later in the new school auditorium until the church opened in the spring of 1965.

That first autumn brought an unexpected challenge. The church had been built on the site of the former Baker’s Turkey Ranch. Years of turkey farming had left the soil over-fertilized, creating ideal conditions for flies—millions of them. At one point, sweeping the parish hall floor filled four garbage cans with dead flies. The flies also attracted bats, which occasionally made their way into the church during Mass. Thankfully, within a year nature restored balance, and these unwelcome visitors disappeared.

From the start, finances were a major concern. Early surveys in 1963 had overestimated how quickly the parish would grow. Housing developments stalled, and parish income fell short. By 1967, St. Monica could not keep up with bank payments, and even a tornado that year added nearly $7,000 in damage. Help came in the form of an unexpected $5,000 gift from St. Augustine Parish. Later, when rising interest rates nearly caused collapse, the Archdiocese intervened, restructuring the loan at a far lower rate. This act of generosity became a turning point for St. Monica, allowing the parish to stabilize and flourish.

In 1974, the parish launched its very first Fair & Festival, an event that quickly became a cornerstone of parish life. That first year alone, the celebration raised more than $8,000—an incredible accomplishment for our growing community. Over the next two decades, the festival blossomed into a cherished tradition, bringing together parishioners, families, and neighbors not only to raise funds—sometimes as much as $20,000 in a single year—but also to strengthen the bonds of friendship and faith within the community. The proceeds supported vital parish improvements, including enhancements to our property, the upkeep of our church, and providing living quarters for our priests.

We remain deeply grateful for the generosity, dedication, and tireless efforts of all who helped make these milestones possible. Their spirit of service continues to inspire us today. We also give heartfelt thanks for the many priests who have guided our parish through the years, each serving with compassion, humility, and devotion to God’s people.

Above all, we give thanks to Almighty God, whose blessings have sustained our parish family through times of challenge and times of joy. It is through His grace that we continue to grow as a community of faith, hope, and love.