St. Raphael's in Stormont Dundas and Glengarry United Counties, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

St. Raphaels' Ruins

Photographed by Robert Rusaw, July 4, 2022

1. St. Raphaels' Ruins Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

The extraordinary ruins of this church recall the early history of Roman Catholicism in Upper Canada. Begun in 1815, St. Rafael's Church originally served as the centre of the colony's largest and most important parish, and the administrative headquarters for the first Roman Catholic bishop, Alexander Macdonell. Situated in the heart of a 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 interest of his faith.

Ces ruines évoquent les premières pages de l'histoire du catholicisme dans le Haut-Canada. Commencée en 1815, l'imposante église St. Raphael, centre de la plus importante paroisse de la colonie, accueillit le siège administratif du premier évêque catholique de la province, Mer Alexander Macdonell. Située au cœur de ces établissements historiques écossais, la paroisse fut le berceau du catholicisme en Ontario. En 1970, un incendie a réduit l'église à ces ruines, qui continuent de témoigner des efforts soutenus de Mer Macdonell pour répandre

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la foi.

Erected 1999 by Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Historic Sites and Monuments Board series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1815.

Location. 45° 12.72′ N, 74° 35.841′ W. Marker is in St. Raphael's, Ontario, in Stormont Dundas and Glengarry United Counties. It is on County Road 18, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 19998 County Rd 18, St Raphael's ON K0C 2J0, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Eastern Ontario.

It is also in Central Canada.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony,

the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and Rupert’s Land.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 21 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Bishop Alexander Macdonell

Photographed by Robert Rusaw, July 4, 2022

2. St. Raphaels' Ruins Marker

(here, next to this marker); The Glengarry Emigration of 1786 (a few steps from this marker); The Parish of St. Raphael (within shouting distance of this marker); The Blue Chapel (within shouting distance of this marker); The College of Iona / Le College d'Iona (about 210 meters away, measured in a direct line); "Cariboo" Cameron (approx. 17.5 kilometers away); Lieutenant-Colonel John Macdonell (approx. 19.3 kilometers away); Captain Miles Macdonell (approx. 20.3 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Raphael's.

St. Raphaels' Ruins image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Robert Rusaw, July 4, 2022

3. St. Raphaels' Ruins

Photographed by Robert Rusaw, July 4, 2022

4. St. Raphaels' Ruins

Photographed by Robert Rusaw, July 4, 2022

5. St. Raphaels' Ruins

Photographed by Robert Rusaw, October 7, 2015

6. St. Raphaels' Ruins

Credits. This page was last revised on July 9, 2022. It was originally submitted on July 7, 2022, by Robert Rusaw of Massena, New York. This page has been viewed 232 times since then and 15 times this year. Last updated on July 8, 2022, by Robert Rusaw of Massena, New York. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on July 7, 2022, by Robert Rusaw of Massena, New York. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.