St. Raphael's Ruins
Text from the plaque
The extraordinary ruins of this church recall the early history of Roman Catholicism in Upper Canada. Begun in 1815, St. Raphael's Church originally served as the centre of the colony's largest and most important parish, and the administrative headquarters of the first Roman Catholic bishop, Alexander Macdonell. Situated in the heart of the historic Highland settlement, the parish was the cradle of Catholicism in Ontario. The ruins left standing after the fire of 1970 serve as a testament to Bishop Macdonell's determined efforts to forward the interests of his faith.
Transcribed from the marker, not summarised.
Find the place
The United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry
The Township of South Glengarry
In St. Raphaels, on a stone cairn
in front of St. Raphael's Church Ruins
Also recorded for this place: The County of Frontenac · The City of Kingston
N 45 12.721 W 74 35.844
Recorded June 2009. Check current access before visiting.
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Where it stands
Visitors' notes
January 16, 2018
My great grandfather John Alexander McDonell married my great grandmother Harriet Jane Mac Donald here in 1887. Terrance Breidenstein
February 8, 2010
I'm from Canada I have been to St. Raphael many times. My grandparents have donated lots of money there. We are all on the Cameron plaque!