Named after the Italian city he died in, and where his relics remain to this day in the magnificent basilica Padua, St. Anthony was actually born to an aristocratic family in Lisbon, Portugal. This 13th century Franciscan monk was a gifted orator, who could deliver his eloquent and fiery sermons in multiple languages, and often attracted large crowds as he traveled around Italy. Of his 56 accepted miracles only a few are believed to have happened during his lifetime. One such miracle occurred when he was offered poisoned food by some heretics, which he made harmless by the sign of the cross.

Due to the limited financial resources, Reverend Father Fortunatus, the church's founder, could not construct a very large church with the usual amount of art. As a result, the original version of the church was three walls of brick and one wall of wood. It had steep wooden stairs and a large basement used for gatherings.

Only four years after its construction, the church fell victim to a fire that caused around $3,000 worth of damages and the loss of a Sacred Heart painting valued at $800. The fire is thought to have started with lit candles at the altar. Flames had already spread up the wall and were reaching towards the ceiling before anything was noticed.

The steady rise in the number of parishioners demanded an enlargement of the church following the fire. Under the guidance of Guido Nincheri, the renowned Italo-Canadian artist, the church was remodeled. Nincheri's first suggestion was an excavation of the basement. Following this, the wooden staircase was replaced by a stone one. Nincheri went on to create vibrant stained-glass windows and breathtaking frescoes for the church. 

The new church was inaugurated in November 1925.

However, nearly four years later just after the celebration of the Birth of Rome in April, a second fire broke out. It originated in the vestibule and spread quickly up the tower and into the belfry. Thousands gathered in the streets that night, thinking the entire church was doomed but praying they were wrong. It survived but the damages amounted to over $10,000.

Now, standing firm for at least six decades, St. Anthony's is hailed as the centre of the community it overlooks.

"As far back as I can remember the church has been like a mother," said Mary Ierullo, a longtime resident of the Italian community. "If we had any problems, we always went to St. Anthony's."

The church plays a role in all major stages of a Catholic's life: baptism, confirmation and communion, marriage and inevitably, death. It is a place of worship and a focal point of activity.

"The church is like foccolare, where people gather," said Father Brodeur. "I always say to children that they have three homes. One is with your family, the other with the school and the last with the church."

St. Anthony's most active and arguably distressing period was in the 1950's and 1960's. It was a time of great upheaval in the community. There was a high level of immigration following the Second World War and Father Jerome Ferraro, then parish priest, was occupied helping immigrants find jobs and adapt to their new homes.

It was also during this time that the homes of many Italian families were expropriated. Properties in the Rochester/Gladstone areas were expropriated to make room for Commerce High School and the Rochester Housing Projects of the Ottawa Carleton Regional Housing Authority, a move that many believe was influenced by the politics of power.

"I remember the church had to work hard to help people in the community," said Ierullo, who's home was also expropriated. "There were a lot of losses and the church had to work hard to comfort people and help them."