History of the Dean Wagner Assembly
History of the Dean Wagner Assembly
Established 1916
The Dean Wagner Assembly was founded in 1916, during the height of the
First World War (1914-1918). Despite the conflagration that had spread
throughout Europe, several devout Catholic men in Windsor mobilized to create
the first fourth-degree assembly in the greater Windsor area and the third
assembly in the Province of Ontario.
Sir Knight Leo Page, a distinguished realtor in the city, was the first Faithful Navigator. His Residence still stands on
Ouellette Avenue but is now the Janisse Funeral Home (operated by Arbor Memorial) His Faithful Captain was Sir
Knight Leo Charlton, who was a respected Catholic gentleman. He was instrumental in the Ontario Legislature in passing laws to inaugurate the CatholicChildren's Aid Societies throughout the province.
Sir Knight George Campeau,a local bank manager, was the Faithful Pilot. These three gentlemen
made the initial decision to name the assembly after Dean James TheodoreWagner (1837-1896), a priest who was instrumental in founding St. Alphonsus Parish, Hotel-Dieu Hospital, and St. Mary’s Academy.
For over sixty years, the Dean Wagner Assembly remained the only assemblyin Windsor and Essex County. Today, Dean Wagner Assembly has helped develop several other assemblies, including the Right Reverend Wilfred J. Langlois Assembly in Tecumseh, Father Alvin P. Marentette Assemblyin Belle River, Father Alphonse Kerckhaert Assembly in Windsor, Father Louis Boué Assembly in Amherstburg, and G. Stephen Hudders Assembly in Leamington. The latter assembly was named in honour of one of the Dean Wagner Assembly’s Faithful Navigators.
In addition, the assembly has been blessed to have several members who have contributed significantly to the
order, including Former Supreme Directors, Past State Deputies, and Former District Masters. Our members have also held important positions in business, government, academia, medicine, law, and the judiciary. The assembly also boasts an unbroken lineage of seventy-five Faithful Navigators.
In 2016, under the direction of Faithful Navigator, Sir Knight Dr. John Cappucci, the Dean Wagner Assembly celebrated its centennial anniversary. The celebration began with a Holy Mass presided over by His Excellency Bishop Joseph Dabrowski, Auxiliary Bishop of London. The Mass was fittingly held at St. Alphonsus Parish—the church founded by the assembly’s namesake. A reception was held at St. Angela Merci Hall with many dignitaries.
The assembly is proud of its contribution to both church and country as it enters its second century of excellence.
This history of the assembly was originally composed by the late S.K. Howard Pray. It was updated in 2016
by S.K. Dr. John Cappucci, FN with information provided by S.K. Lawrence Coleman, PFN. It was updated in 2018 by S.K. Dr. John Cappucci, PFN for inclusion on the assembly website.
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