The Assumption Church has been associated with a Jesuit Huron mission as La Pointe du Montreal, the parish of L’Assumption du Détroit, since 1761. The current church replaced an earlier one, Notre Dame de L’Assomption, built on a nearby site in 1785.

The Assumption Church, built in Windsor from 1835 to 1845, is in fact the church constructed on the site. When the present church building was constructed, it was the major edifice built by the Church of Rome in Upper Canada. Designed by Detroit architect Robert (sometimes known as Richard) Elliot, it is built in the Perpendicular Gothic style with picturesque details. Jack Reaume was the master mason. The plan is symmetrical with a central tower and spire, nave and aisles and with no clerestory. The transepts that accomodated chapels were removed in 1907. The brick were made with a new brick making machine invented by Collins of Sandwich, now part of Windsor. The tower and sanctuary, which were part of the original design, were added in 1874. The altar, made of painted Caen stone, dates from 1887.

The picturesque quality of the architecture is accented by its landscaped setting when viewed from the north and west. In 1978, the City of Windsor designated the church under the Ontario Heritage Act, and in 1985, the Ontario Heritage Trust secured a heritage easement on the building.

The Church, one of the most beautiful and magnificent heritage buildings in Ontario, is as rich in its interiors as it is in its history, housing numerous nationally important heritage items, among them:

• Hand-carved Wooden Pulpit: Hand-carved in 1793 by Freret.
• Painting of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary: Original by Murillo, copied by renowned Canadian painter Antoine Plamondon and donated in 1845.
• Main Stone Altar: Imported from Caen, France in 1887.
• Stained Glass Windows: Acquired from 1874 to 1920.
• La Pietà and the Statues of St. Joseph and Ste. Anne: Acquired between 1889 and 1890.
• Belfry Bell: Installed in 1893.
• The 260 year old bell was recently discovered in the Assumption Church belfry, and was probably brought to Windsor by the Jesuits in 1750.
• Stations of the Cross in oil paintings acquired in 1883.
• The Communion rail was installed in 1925 and of carved of Italian marble.
• Mary’s Altar
• Our Lady of the Assumption Statue, 1954
• Holy Water Font

The general public, including tourists, enjoy visits to the Church appreciating its gifts as a living museum.

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