St. Paul's Basilica
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
St. Paul's Basilica |
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| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
|---|---|
| Administration | |
| Parish | St. Paul's |
| Diocese | Toronto |
| Clergy | |
| Pastor | Rev. Monsignor Bradley H. Massman |
| Other | |
| Coordinates | |
St. Paul's Basilica is the oldest Roman Catholic congregation in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It was established in 1822 by James Baby, when the York region was part of the Kingston Diocese. It was designated a minor basilica by Pope John Paul II in 1999. The church is housed in an Italianate structure built in 1889. It is located in the Corktown neighbourhood just east of downtown near the intersection of Queen and Parliament streets at 83 Power Street.
| ST. PAUL'S BASILICA Plaque erected on the front of the church |
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| 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. |
