West Queen West in Toronto, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

Macdonell Square

Photographed by Tim Boyd, July 1, 2025

1. Macdonell Square Marker

Inscription. Macdonell Square, now Portugal Square, named after Alexander Macdonell, was granted in 1835 to the Catholics of York as a church site, requiring the closure of a small cholera cemetery.

Born in Glengary, Scotland, on July 17, 1762, Macdonell became, in 1820, the first Catholic Bishop of Kingston and all Upper Canada.

A strong defender of the rights of Catholics, he died in Dumfries, Scotland, on January 14, 1840.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Immigration • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1835.

Location. 43° 38.716′ N, 79° 24.21′ W. Marker is in Toronto, Ontario. It is in West Queen West. It is at the intersection of Bathurst Street and Portugal Square, on the right when traveling south on Bathurst Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Toronto ON M6J 3P1, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Toronto

and on the Golden Horseshoe.

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 walking distance of this marker: St. Mary’s Church (a few steps from this marker); John Mulvey House (within shouting distance of this marker); Waterworks Building (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); 642 Wellington St. W. (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); 650 Wellington St. W. (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); 648 Wellington St. W.

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(approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Surviving Gravestones of the Military Burial Ground (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Copp Clark Co. Complex (approx. 0.4 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Toronto.

Photographed by Tim Boyd, June 28, 2025

2. Macdonell Square Marker

Photographed by Tim Boyd, June 28, 2025

3. Macdonell Square Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on July 1, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 1, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 101 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 1, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.