Like so many rural parishes in the mid 1800’s the history of St. Charles Borromeo, Read, Ontario is a record of struggle against hardships in the early days and the triumphs of strong faith over handicaps.  The parish established August 25, 1854 by Bishop Patrick Phelan, Kingston Diocese, comprises the northern half of the Township of Tyendianga, Hastings County.  Nearly all the settlers were Irish having immigrated to the area between 1830-1850.

The original church, a frame structure 32 feet by 48 feet begun in 1849 accommodating 150 people was situated in the present cemetery, where the vault now stands.

1862 saw the construction of the first and only rectory, a two and one-half storey brick building of unusual design.
1885-1935 began the 50-year appointment of Rev. Thomas McCarthy a native of County Tipperary, Ireland.
1889 the Mission of St. Patrick’s, Richmond, established in 1859, no longer able to be part of St. Patrick’s Church, Napanee, became a mission of St. Charles Borromeo.
1892 After lengthy negotiations four, one-room, ungraded, public schools situated within the parish boundaries were converted into separate schools.
1892 in four months our present solid, red brick, gothic-style church, 120 feet long, including chancel, 44 feet wide, sacristy 17 by 22 feet, bell tower 65 feet high, finished with four turrets, seating for well over five hundred people was completed at a cost of $18,000.  The church also had a well-lighted 8-foot high basement.  Much of the work was done by volunteer labour.  The new church was dedicated September 16, 1892.  The Bell named St. Charles was blessed in Dec. 1892.
1902 the debt on the church was completely paid off.  Also in 1902 the magnificent main altar, two side altars and Crucifixion scene above the main altar were installed.  Thomas Hanley, Belleville, architect, contractor who was commissioned to build the church in 1892, carved the altars.
1902 The cemetery was blessed and the old church was moved across the road and became a barn for the parish’s 50-acre farm.
1925 The Interior of the church was redecorated and an electric Delco lighting system was installed.
1935-1942 Fr. Carey renovated the rectory, remodeled the old church/barn to provide accommodation for a school to teach grades nine and ten to the children of the parish.   Fr. Carey also enlarged the cemetery and did considerable work to improve it.  Through Fr. Carey’s efforts Ontario Hydro was extended to the area.
1942 St. Patrick’s Church Richmond was completely renovated on the exterior and interior by Fr. Coyle.  Fr. Coyle also did extensive repairs to St. Charles church.
1954 to mark the Centenary of the parish, construction began of a new two-room school to replace the temporary grades nine and ten school in the church building and two of the ungraded schools in the parish.
1959 St. Charles Church was completely redecorated, new oil furnaces and lighting system were installed.  The sanctuary was remodeled to comply with the new liturgy.
1962 A new separate school section was established in the western end of the parish.
1963 A three-room addition was added to the school.
1964 Nicholson Catholic College in Belleville would educate grades nine and ten pupils from Read.
1976 The parish hall was enlarged, the vestry was converted into a chapel, the church redecorated, a parish council was established and the parish began to be actively involved in the liturgy.
1977 85^th Anniversary of the church building is marked with a Mass on Oct. 9 and the dedication of the renovated parish hall.
1979 125^th Anniversary of St. Charles Borromeo parish is observed with Mass on October 7 and the publication of the parish history; “Our Heritage 1854-1979; St. Charles Borromeo, Read, Ontario”.
1988 St. Patrick’s Church, Richmond is closed.
1990-2007 Annual Beef Supper in September.
1992 June 21^st, 100^th Anniversary Celebration of the church building.
1996 Final Mass at St. Patrick’s Church, Richmond.
1998 St. Charles Borromeo hosted the 50^th Anniversary of the Ordination to the Priesthood of Rt. Rev. Bernard P. Walsh.
2001 St. Charles Borromeo becomes part of the “Cluster” with the parishes of Holy Name of Mary, Marysville and St. Vincent de Paul, Deseronto.
2004 150^th Anniversary Celebration August 21-22 of the establishment of St. Charles Borromeo Parish began with Mass in the cemetery at 11:00am August 21.  Celebrations included a BBQ, music, Celtic band, Irish dancing, horse and buggy rides, bus tour along the concessions to learn about some of the historical sites, children and teenage activities throughout the day.  A dance was held in the hall in the evening.  August 22, Sunday, Mass at 2:00pm celebrated by Archbishop Anthony Meagher.  Souvenir books “Our Parish Family” photo book, St. Charles Cemetery book, St. Charles Borromeo Parish Family History 1854-2004 books all were available for sale.
2005 Proceeds from the sale of St. Charles Parish Family History 1854-2004 books provided a marble monument as signage for St. Charles Cemetery, a granite bench in the cemetery, wooden signage in front of St. Charles church, four sets of new vestments for St. Charles Borromeo Parish, and the luncheon for the cemetery Masses 2005-2007.
2005-2007 Annual Cemetery Mass in the summer.  September 1, 2007 at 11:00am.
2005-2006 Christmas Pageant at Mass revived.  Epiphany Mass with the three Kings added.
2006 Parish Hall completely renovated to comply with fire codes.
2006-2007 Irish Mass March 17 at 7:00pm followed by a dance in the parish hall.
2006 Two new furnaces installed, Church roof repaired.
2006 St. Patrick’s, Richmond, land and buildings sold for $17,000.  Proceeds to St. Charles Parish.

 
Priests who have served our Parish of St. Charles Borromeo from 1854 to the present time are:
 
Rev. Thomas McMahon appointed the first pastor 1854-1862
1862-1882 Rev. George Brophy
1882-1885 Rev. John R. Meade
1885-1935 Rev. Thomas McCarthy
1935-1942 Rev. R. A. Carey
1942-1946 Rev. R. J. Coyle
1946-1959 Rev. T. E. Briceland
1959-1969 Rev. W. V. Hamilton
1969-1976 Rev. R. J. Ferguson
1976-1988 Rev. Patrick Kelly
1988-1995 Rev. Rene Labelle
1995-2005 Rev. Michael Reed
2005 to present Rev. Mark Chochrek

The strong Irish faith of the members of St. Charles Borromeo parish is evident in the number of religious vocations both to the priesthood and religious sisters.  The following are the priests ordained from St. Charles Borromeo:

Rev. John J. Meagher (1870-1916)                           Ordained 1896
Rt. Rev. John J. Hanley (1876-1955)                       Ordained 1901
Rev. J. Vincent Meagher (1885-1952)                     Ordained 1907
Rt. Rev. John Wm. Callaghan (1898-1977)             Ordained 1924
Rev. Joseph Shannon (1894-1965)                            Ordained 1924
Rt. Rev. W. John Buckley    (1903-1985)                 Ordained 1928
Rt. Rev. J. Gerald Hanley (1907-1995)                    Ordained 1931
Rev. Thomas J. Larkin (1923-1964)                         Ordained 1947
Rev. Francis P. Meagher (1922-1959)                      Ordained 1947
Rev. Francis J. O’Neill                                             Ordained 1947
Rt. Rev. Bernard J. Walsh                                        Ordained 1948
Rev. Raymond G. Shannon (1926-1994)                  Ordained 1954
Rev. Justin Hanley (1929-2002)                               Ordained 1955
Rev. Gerald E. Byrne                                                Ordained 1958
Rev. Leo P. Byrne                                                     Ordained 1962
Rev. J. Philip Horrigan                                             Ordained 1968
Rev. John J. Brennan                                                Ordained 1977
Rev. Charles McDermott                                          Ordained 2006
 

The parish has also had more than thirty-seven women join various religious congregations, Sisters of St. Joseph, Troy, NY, Sisters of Providence, Kingston, ON, Religious Hospitallers of St. Joseph (Hotel Dieu Sisters), Congregation of Notre Dame, Sisters of the Immaculate Conception at Pembroke, Sisters of St. Joseph, Michigan, Sisters of the Presentation, North Dakota.