Many projects were considered by the Knights of Columbus of Ontario to commemorate Canada's Centennial and all agreed with past State Deputy Tobias Kelly’s suggestion of a monument dedicated to peace on earth. Erected in 1967 by the Knights of Columbus of Ontario, the Pray for Peace consists of three modernistic columns representing three persons of the Trinity as they look down on a portion of a globe representing a troubled, war-torn world.
William C. "Bill" Kennedy, Grand Knight of Toronto Council #1388 volunteered to be the Chairman for the project. Regrettably, Bill died before the project was completed and in his stead, Cecil Berry of Council #1388 in Toronto chaired the project. He died soon after the project was completed.
Pray for Peace was unveiled on October 22, 1967, by past State Deputy Louis Salini and dedicated by Most Rev. Wiliam J. Smith Bishop of Pembroke State Chaplain for the Knights of Columbus. The 25 feet high monument weighs 50 tons and was made in 13 sections of Barre granite. It was designed by Donald Ailles of Toronto and produced by the Smith Monument Company of Toronto. Statues of a father, mother and child face the columns and represent a family reading the inscription on the base of the columns.
The cost of the $40,000 monument was covered by 30,000 Knights of Columbus members in Ontario subscribing $1.30 each. The land, lighting and maintenance were provided by the city.
