Assumption University

Assumption University

In 1784 the Jesuits expanded the mission they had founded in Detroit in 1728 to include the south shore of the Detroit River. The Hurons gave the Jesuits the land for the new mission at La Pointe de Montreal, near the present Ambassador Bridge. In 1767 the mission, which served both the French settlers and the native people, was granted a new status, and the first parish in Canada west of Montreal, Assumption Parish, was erected. Nineteen years later in 1786 two schools, one for girls and one for boys, were begun at Assumption Parish.

By the spring of 1855 the parish had enough funds to begin construction of a college. On February 10, 1857, primarily through the work of Rev. Pierre Point S.J., Assumption College opened its doors to twenty-six boarders and sixty day students. M. Theodule Girardot was the first instructor.

Within the year, the Jesuits left Assumption and relinquished control of the College to the diocese. Father Joseph Malbos C.S.B., the first Basilian president of the new College, succeeded the Jesuits but stayed for only one year. The year of Father Malbos’s presidency was most significant for the College since he had the foresight to have the College incorporated by an Act of the Parliament of Upper Canada, which received Royal Assent, August 16, 1858. The Act of Incorporation provided an anchor of stability for the fledgling College as Benedictines, Jesuits and diocesan clergy, successively, assumed direction of the College over the next twelve years.

Assumption is a privately operated, autonomous university separate from the University of Windsor and yet an integral part of it. It has retained its degree granting powers and graduates students within the area of theology, as well as granting honorary degrees.

Centre For Religion and Culture

In the spring of 2004 Assumption University President William H. Irwin C.S.B. called together the Assumption Group with the aim of exploring the feasibility of establishing a centre for the study of religion and its relationship to culture, at Assumption University.  Under the direction of the Assumption Group, Assumption University created the Centre for Religion and Culture.  The Centre would be designed to provide leadership in, as well as be a coordinating body for, a number of initiatives aimed at developing the positive role of religion, comprehensively defined, in addressing societal problems at international, national and local levels.  These initiatives would not have as a primary focus a theological thrust, but will rather concentrate on those matters that fall under the umbrella of “ the common good” of the community as a whole, something that is much broader than the collection of individual goods, or even the good as proclaimed by any particular religious tradition.

The primary function of this new Centre is to serve as a focal point for dialogue among the diverse religious communities of Windsor as well as with the larger Canadian community-- all directed toward the goal of promoting greater levels of understanding and acceptance among diverse religious communities. The Chair-holder will be expected to engage in a program of community outreach through the University’s Centre for Religion and Culture, playing a leading role in this important initiative aimed at maintaining and strengthening Canadian pluralism.

Mission Statement

The focus of the Assumption University Centre for Religion and Culture can be succinctly stated as: the positive role of religion in human development and culture.

The Centre will pursue its mandate of fostering religion’s positive contributions to culture through a program of research, education and community outreach.  While acknowledging and addressing religion’s role in human conflict the Centre will focus primarily on the role religion plays in fostering peace, healing and full human advancement.

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