The Church of
the Good Thief

A fascinating history of the Parish was compiled in 1994 by Lenore Majoros entitled "Celebrating the Centennial".

The Parish was formed in 1894 when the Church was built at the cost of $14,297.00. Native limestone, of which the building is constructed, was quarried by the prisoners of Kingston Penitentiary and carried by these men to the site of the church. Each man was given 25c a day for his labour. When appointing the first pastor for this new parish, Archbishop Cleary provided a strong link between the Church and the prisoners by also naming him Chaplain for the penitentiary. The Church was named after St. Dismas, the thief crucified with Christ and the only man to be canonized by him. For many years this was the only Church in the world dedicated to St. Dismas. In 1952, a statue of St Dismas was placed in a niche over the front door.

The Presbytery was built immediately after the construction of the Church The Church required extensive restoration in 1992 at the cost of $225, 421. At that time a corner stone and time capsule were installed in the wall of the church.

There have now been eight Pastors of the parish in 115 years: