Glavin

(submitted by Julia Geerts, in conversation with Mrs. Bernadette Tait)

Father Raphael Glavin was born in 1896. His Irish parents owned and operated a hotel in Biddulph Twp., Middlesex County. He was ordained in St. Peter’s Cathedral in London, Ont. by Bishop Fallon, on June 11, 1927.

In the same month, he was appointed pastor of All Saints Parish, Strathroy and Our Lady Help of Christians in Watford. He said his first mass in Watford on June 26, 1927. In February of 1928, Watford became an independent parish, with Father Glavin serving the Alvinston parish as well.

Father Glavin lived in Reg MacIntosh’s house on Ontario Street, just down from the Armories (now the Watford Fire Hall). Margaret Orrange and Pat Gavigan often cleaned his house. Stella McManus, after her retirement from her work in a law office, became his housekeeper for a while. He became great friends with Watford residents, especially the Harpers who owned the funeral parlour and furniture business. He would play cards with them on many an evening.

In his early days in Watford, the parish was very poor and Father Glavin could not afford a car. Either Carmen Harper or Mr. Auld from Watford, neither being Catholic, would drive him to Alvinston to say Mass on Sundays. Father Glavin was a hockey enthusiast and enjoyed many games in Watford.

Chapter 24 of 25 - Glavin Family

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