St Basil’s Church is a Canadian Roman Catholic church located in Toronto

Toronto

Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...

, Ontario

Ontario

Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....

. In addition to being a parish church, it is the collegiate church of the University of St. Michael's College

University of St. Michael's College

The University of St. Michael's College is a college of the University of Toronto, founded in 1852 by the Congregation of St. Basil of Annonay, France. While mainly an undergraduate college for liberal arts and sciences, St. Michael's retains its Roman Catholic affiliation through its postgraduate...

 which is a Federated college

Federated school

An affiliated school is an educational institution that operates independently, but also has a formal collaborative agreement with another, usually larger institution that may have some level of control or influence over its academic policies, standards or programs.While a university may have one...

 of the University of Toronto

University of Toronto

The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...

. The church has nationally broadcasted 6 masses per week since October 2007 on the VisionTV, Crossroads Television System

Crossroads Television System

Crossroads Television System, or CTS, is a privately held Canadian television system.CTS airs predominantly Christian-based religious programming, most notably 100 Huntley Street, The Michael Coren Show and LIFE Today with James & Betty Robison, as well as other religious and faith based...

, and Salt + Light Television

Salt + Light Television

Salt + Light Television is a Canadian category 2 digital cable specialty channel. Launched in July 2003, it is the first Catholic national television channel in Canada...

 networks.

Founded by the Congregation of St. Basil

Congregation of St. Basil

The Basilian Fathers, also known as The Congregation of Saint Basil, is an international order of Catholic priests and students studying for the priesthood, who focus on education and ministering through oratories....

 in 1856, St Basil’s Church was initially located in open country north of the city in an area known as Clover Hill. As the city expanded, the area around the church developed and is now well within downtown Toronto. It was designed by architect William Hay

William Hay (architect)

William Hay was a Scottish architect who was actively working internationally from 1842 to 1887. A specialist in gothic architecture, he is primarily known for his work on several churches and cathedrals. His most famous structure is the Bermuda Cathedral in Hamilton, Bermuda which he designed in...

. Dedicated to Basil of Caesarea

Basil of Caesarea

Basil of Caesarea, also called Saint Basil the Great, was the bishop of Caesarea Mazaca in Cappadocia, Asia Minor . He was an influential 4th century Christian theologian...

, it is the ninth oldest church still standing in the city.
It was renovated by Canadian architect Joseph Connolly

Joseph Connolly (architect)

Joseph Connolly was an Irish Canadian architect, born in Limerick, Ireland. He trained as an architect under J.J. McCarthy in his native Ireland before coming to North America. Connolly specialized in Gothic Revival design...

.

External links

• St. Basil's Church, Toronto