Reynolds, Rt. Rev. Allen

• Reynolds, Msgr. Allen

• Reynolds, Rev. Allen

Msgr. Allen Reynolds was born in Toronto, Ontario, on February 27, 1912, and passed away in Edmonton, Alberta, on October 29, 2007.
His family lived in western Canada for a number of years and then moved to Antigonish, Nova Scotia, where Msgr. Reynolds was educated at Morrison School and then attended St. Francis Xavier University. Reynolds graduated Summa Cum Laude before entering Holy Heart Seminary in Halifax, Nova Scotia. In June 24, 1936 Msgr. Reynolds was ordained to priesthood by Bishop P. A. Bray, for the Archdiocese of Edmonton and soon traveled west to help meet the growing demand for priests in Western Canada.
Msgr. Reynolds was appointed as the Assistant Rector at St. Joseph Basilica, a post he held for nearly twenty years. During this time Msgr. Reynolds studied education at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, and taught half-days at St. Joseph’s High School (1936-1955). Between 1946 and 1948 Reynolds was a professor of English at St. Joseph Seminary and its Vice-Chancellor.
Msgr. Reynolds worked in many parishes in the Archdiocese of Edmonton in several capacities. He was Pastor at Trochu (1955-1957), Pastor at St. Edmund’s Parish, Edmonton (1957-1960), Administrator of Sacred Heart Parish, Edmonton (1960-1963), Pastor at Sacred Heart Parish (1963-1970), Pastor at Sacred Heart Parish, Red Deer (1970-1981), Pastor at St. Anthony’s Parish, Edmonton (1981-1987). After fifty years of service in the diocese he retired in Camrose in 1987.
In addition to his priestly duties, Msgr. Reynolds worked with the Legion of Mary and was diocesan Chaplain of the Catholic Women’s League for many years. He was also active with the Boy Scouts of Canada, the Girl Guilds of Canada, and the Boys’ and Girls’ Club of Edmonton as a Chaplain and cultivated relationships with various summer camps including Our Lady of Victory Camp at Sylvan Lake.
In December 1985, he was named Prelate of Honour by Pope John Paul II, and given the title Monsignor. 1996 he celebrated his diamond jubilee at St. Joseph Basilica. In 2006 Reynolds received the Governor Generals Caring Canadian Award, and celebrated the 70th anniversary of his ordination.