Our Story
A journey of faith spanning over four decades
Welcome to St. Anthony of Padua, a vibrant Roman Catholic parish in Oakville, Ontario, and a cherished spiritual home for the local Polish community. As a personal parish within the Diocese of Hamilton, we are dedicated to preserving our rich heritage, celebrating our faith through traditional Polish worship, and welcoming all who wish to join us on our spiritual journey.
Humble Beginnings
The roots of our community trace back to 1975, when the Polish Catholic mission was established at the nearby St. Andrew the Apostle Parish. Polish priests from the Congregation of the Resurrectionists in Hamilton, including the founding father of our ministry, Rev. Józef Capiga, CR, traveled to serve the growing Polish population in Oakville.
Establishing Our Church
By the mid-1990s, with the dedication of the local Polish community, the property at 40 John Street was purchased to create a permanent home for our parish. The building, formerly a Pentecostal church, required significant renovations to be adapted for Catholic worship.
This great undertaking was led by Rev. Czesław Chmurzyński, CR, who served as our first resident pastor from 1995 to 2014. After a year of diligent work — which included the addition of a rectory and garage — our church was consecrated by Bishop Anthony Tonnos on June 29, 1997, officially establishing St. Anthony of Padua Parish.
Pastoral Leadership
Following many years of service from Rev. Chmurzyński, pastoral duties were assumed by Rev. Czesław Kolasa. Since June 26, 2019, our parish has been under the pastoral care of the Polish Pallottine Fathers, led by our current pastor, Rev. Piotr Machnacki SAC. This transition marked a new chapter, building on the strong foundation laid by our founders and long-time parishioners.
Our Parish Today
Our church is a lively center of faith and devotion. Daily Holy Mass is celebrated in Polish, and our spiritual life is enriched by numerous devotions reflecting our Polish Catholic traditions. This includes a deep devotion to Our Lady of Częstochowa, with the Holy Rosary prayed at the beginning of each Mass.
We offer all-day Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament every Wednesday, an all-night Adoration once a month, and Adoration and Confession every Friday evening. Our community continues to thrive, welcoming new families and passing on our treasured traditions to future generations.
