St. Anthony of Padua (Ottawa)

St. Anthony of Padua Church
Sant' Antonio da Padua
St Anthony of Padua Church
Location	427 Booth Street Ottawa, Ontario K1R 7K8
Denomination	Roman Catholic
Website	Parish Website
History
Dedication	St Anthony
Administration
Province	Ecclesiastical province of Ottawa
Diocese	Archdiocese of Ottawa

St. Anthony of Padua is a Roman Catholic church at 427 Booth Street in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, in the heart of Little Italy.

History

Founded in 1908 by Father Fortunatus Mizzi O.F.M. Cap., a Maltese priest, the first church was a small chapel, but burnt down in 1913. Another church, designed by Guido Nincheri, was erected in 1913 to replace it. This structure was completed in 1925, however it was severely damaged by a fire just four years later. It was again rebuilt, this time with very little wood.

The church has long been the social centre of the Italian-Canadian community in Ottawa. Across the street is St. Anthony's School, a Catholic elementary school. The church is also the base for the St. Anthony Italia Soccer Club, one of Ottawa's most competitive amateur soccer teams. In front of the church is Piazza Dante where major social events are held. The largest of these is Italian Week, which attracts several thousand people and occurs every June beginning with the Feast of St. Anthony.

References

Bibliography

• "Little Italy. Ottawa's largest, best-known ethnic neighborhood thrives Series: In the neighborhood." Tony Lofaro. The Ottawa Citizen. Jun 6, 1988. pg. D.1.PEO
• "Record crowd celebrates St. Anthony: Procession draws as many as 12,500." Matthew Sekeres. The Ottawa Citizen. Jun 11, 2001. pg. C.1.FRO

External links

• Parish Website
• Founding a Community: The History of St. Anthony's Church