The Congregation of St. Basil; more commonly known as the Basilian Fathers are an international community of priests who live a community life and bind themselves to God by vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. The Basilian Fathers have dedicated themselves to the Church, centering their work on the education of youth and in the work of higher education.

The original members chose St. Basil the Great, a fourth century teacher, bishop and doctor of the Church, to be the namesake of the new community.

In the middle of the nineteenth century, the Basilian Fathers came to Canada and from these beginnings have spread across the country and the United States.

The work of the Basilian Fathers first began in Windsor at Assumption in 1870 and they are the longest — serving men’s religious community in the history of the Diocese of London. Father Dennis J. O’Connor CSB was the first superior of Assumption College and parish after the Basilians were given control, and in this role he was instrumental in much of the growth and success that was subsequently seen. Through his twenty year regime, he increased the student population by three times, and quadrupled the size of the College building itself. His leadership brought Assumption to the forefront of the world of ecclesiastical education, and improved the standing of the parish by an incalculable amount

Fr. O’Connor’s strong leadership and desire to serve the community manifested itself physically as well, with the Bell Tower and sanctuary being constructed through his efforts in 1874. This Bell Tower, blessed in 1893 provides a noticeably striking visual effect on the church. This Bell Tower still stands today, and houses a smaller 260 year old bell that was likely brought to Windsor in the 1700s. As a piece of our heritage, and a monument to all the good works performed by Father O’Conner, the Assumption Bell Tower remains a vital part of our living history today.

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