Downtown in St. Catharines in Niagara Region, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

St. Catherine of Alexandria Cathedral

Photographed by Kevin Westell, August 5, 2025

1. St. Catherine of Alexandria Cathedral - Marker

Inscription. On November 12, 1831, Bishop Alexander Macdonell of Kingston, Ontario, blessed and opened on this site the first Roman Catholic parish church in the Niagara peninsula. This pioneer wooden church was built and often served by priests from Niagara-on-the-Lake. Known originally as St. John's, this church was burnt on August 23, 1842.

Under the leadership of its own pastor, Rev. Patrick McDonagh, the basis of the present stone church was built with the help of Irish immigrants working on the Welland canal. The cornerstone was laid on Ascension Day, May 25, 1843, and the new church, now dedicated to St. Catherine of Alexandria, was opened for worship on Jun 10, 1845.

In 1861 this church became the seat of the Deanery of St. Catharines and a centre for Catholic activities throughout the Niagara region. On November 25, 1958, the feast of its patroness, the church was elevated to the rank of Cathedral for the newly formed Diocese of St. Catharines.

This plaque was blessed on Sunday, September 19, 1982 by the bishop of St. Catharines, the Most Reverend Thomas B. Fulton, D.D.; and dedicated by His Excellency Sean P. Kennan, the Irish ambassador to Canada.

Erected by The Roman Catholic Diocese of St. Catharines.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the The Welland Canals series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1831.

Location. 43° 9.633′ N, 79° 14.804′ W. Marker is in St. Catharines, Ontario, in Niagara Region. It is in Downtown. It is at the intersection of Church Street and Lyman Street, on the right when traveling west on Church Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 67 Church Street, St Catharines ON L2R 3C4, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Ontario’s Golden Horseshoe

and in Niagara Canada.

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: What's In A Name: "A" not "E" (within shouting distance of this marker); The Founding of St. Catharines (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); City Hall (about 120 meters away); War Memorial, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 24 (about 120 meters away); St. Catharines Honour Roll - Korea (about 120 meters away); St. Catharines Honour Roll - Boer War (about 120 meters away); St. Catharines Honour Roll - 1939 - 1945 (about 120 meters away); St. Catharines Honour Roll - 1914 - 1918 (about 120 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Catharines.

Another marker is no longer nearby. City Hall 1937 (was about 120 meters away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

St. Catherine of Alexandria Cathedral image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kevin Westell, August 5, 2025

2. St. Catherine of Alexandria Cathedral

The marker is on the wall, just left of the right-hand giant door.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 5, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 5, 2025, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario. This page has been viewed 96 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 5, 2025, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.