In 1881, a wooden church was constructed on this site to house Midland’s first Roman Catholic parish, allowing worshippers to attend Mass in their own community, rather than travelling to Penetanguishene. The permanent stone structure was begun in 1912 with the laying of the cornerstone, and construction was completed two years later. On Christmas Eve 1986, the church interior was destroyed by fire. With community-wide support, it was reconstructed and re-dedicated in 1988.
The bells arrive for the bell tower at St. Margaret’s Roman Catholic Church
St. Margaret’s Roman Catholic Church (Left)
Laying the Cornerstone of St. Margaret’s Roman Catholic church.
After the fire on Christmas Eve, 1986, at St. Margaret’s The roof and steeple were destroyed along with the interior.
A view of the interior of the church after being cleaned up.
A front view of St. Margaret’s during the reconstruction fundraiser.
A year after the fire, St. Margaret’s has a new roof.
A souvenir dish of St. Margaret’s. The dish says “Catholic Church, Hugel Avenue, Midland Ontario”. The Huronia has many such souvenir dishes from the Huronia area in its collection.
St. Margaret’s Roman Catholic Church, c.unknown.
Huronia Museum 
This is awesome. Any chance you have more photos of the church and the homes surrounding?
A sad but compelling story of St. Margaret’s survival and ongoing strength; the strength of its peoples, today and yesterday. Fourteen of my now sixty years included walking down Hugel and, while my family and I went to St. Paul’s United, St. Mary’s always has held fond places in my memories.
I, too, would like to see more photos of the church prior to the 1986 fire; particularly of the steeple, so tall, steeply sided black with its glorious white cross at the top. My bedroom window on 5th St. looked out on St. Margaret’s steeple, onward over Midland Bay and on to Beausoleil Island… Things I do miss these past forty-five years living as I do, here in the Yukon.
Thank you for all your great work!
Jim Quinsey