St. Paul's Basilica
Encyclopedia
St. Paul's Basilica is the oldest Roman Catholic congregation in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is located in the Corktown
neighbourhood just east of downtown near the intersection of Queen and Parliament streets at 83 Power Street.
The parish was established in 1822 by James Baby
when the York region was part of the Diocese of Kingston
and was the only Roman Catholic parish between Kingston and Windsor
. The original structure was constructed of red brick on the same site. To serve the expanding Irish
immigrant community, a school opened soon after the church. When the Diocese of Toronto was separated from the Diocese of Kingston in 1842, St. Paul's served as the pro-cathedral
until St. Michael's Cathedral was completed in 1848.
The church is housed in an Italianate structure designed by Joseph Connolly
and built in 1889 that is based on the design of the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls in Rome
. The new building was necessary to house the growing congregation.
The first Catholic cemetery in Toronto opened east of the church in 1822. The large increase in the Catholic population caused by Irish immigration quickly filled the cemetery to capacity and it was replaced by St. Michael's Cemetery
in 1857.
It was designated a minor basilica
by Pope John Paul II
in 1999.
Corktown, Toronto
Corktown is a residential neighbourhood in downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is just south of Regent Park and north of the Gardiner Expressway, between Berkeley Street to the west and the Don River to the east, Shuter Street to Lake Shore Boulevard East, this area also includes the Distillery...
neighbourhood just east of downtown near the intersection of Queen and Parliament streets at 83 Power Street.
The parish was established in 1822 by James Baby
James Baby
James Baby was a judge and political figure in Upper Canada.He was born Jacques Bâby, the son of Jacques Baby, to a prosperous family in Detroit in 1763 and educated in Upper Canada, then part of the province of Quebec, where his uncle, François Baby, lived...
when the York region was part of the Diocese of Kingston
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kingston
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kingston is a Roman Catholic archdiocese in Canada that includes part of the Province of Ontario and includes the suffragan dioceses of Alexandria-Cornwall, Peterborough, and Sault Sainte Marie....
and was the only Roman Catholic parish between Kingston and Windsor
Windsor, Ontario
Windsor is the southernmost city in Canada and is located in Southwestern Ontario at the western end of the heavily populated Quebec City – Windsor Corridor. It is within Essex County, Ontario, although administratively separated from the county government. Separated by the Detroit River, Windsor...
. The original structure was constructed of red brick on the same site. To serve the expanding Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
immigrant community, a school opened soon after the church. When the Diocese of Toronto was separated from the Diocese of Kingston in 1842, St. Paul's served as the pro-cathedral
Pro-cathedral
A pro-cathedral is a parish church that is temporarily serving as the cathedral or co-cathedral of a diocese.-Usage:In Ireland, the term is used to specifically refer to St Mary's Pro-Cathedral in Dublin, the seat of the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Dublin since the Reformation, when Christ Church...
until St. Michael's Cathedral was completed in 1848.
The church is housed in an Italianate structure designed by 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...
and built in 1889 that is based on the design of the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls in Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
. The new building was necessary to house the growing congregation.
The first Catholic cemetery in Toronto opened east of the church in 1822. The large increase in the Catholic population caused by Irish immigration quickly filled the cemetery to capacity and it was replaced by St. Michael's Cemetery
St. Michael's Cemetery (Toronto)
St. Michael's Cemetery is a historic Roman Catholic cemetery in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is located just southwest of Yonge Street and St. Clair Avenue. The cemetery is invisible from the street, being located in the middle of a city block and ringed by homes and stores. It is accessible only...
in 1857.
It was designated a minor basilica
Minor basilica
Minor basilica is a title given to some Roman Catholic churches. By canon law no Catholic church can be honoured with the title of basilica unless by apostolic grant or from immemorial custom....
by Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
in 1999.
| ST. PAUL'S BASILICA Plaque erected on the front of the church |
|---|
| In 1822 St. Paul's was established as the first Roman Catholic Parish between Kingston and Windsor. The first church built of red brick, was opened on this site in 1824. The land to the east of the church was used as Toronto's first Catholic Cemetery. On December 22, 1889, the present Italian Renaissance style church was dedicated. It was designed by architect Joseph Connelly, under the inspiration of the then Pastor, Bishop Timothy O'Mahoney. The beauty of the church enhances its importance as the mother church of the Toronto Archdiocese. On August 3, 1999, Pope John Paul II elevated St. Paul's to Basilica status. |