Downtown Yonge East in Toronto, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
St. Michael’s Cathedral Rectory
Photographed by Tim Boyd, June 1, 2026
1. St. Michael’s Cathedral Rectory Marker
Formerly known as St. Michael's Palace, the cathedral rectory is the official residence of the Catholic bishops and archbishops of Toronto. In April 1845 work began on both the cathedral and rectory, which were designed in a Gothic vein by the distinguished architect, William Thomas (1799-1860). Consisting originally of a single two-storey structure facing church street, the rectory was blessed by Michael Power, the first Bishop of Toronto, on December 7, 1846.
In 1852 Bishop de Charbonnel added the three-storey north wing to accommodate his fledgling St. Michael's College which in 1856 moved to its present site, "Clover Hill," adjacent to the University of Toronto. New rooms and a cloister were added at the south end of the rectory to link it with St. John's Chapel, which Archbishop Walsh dedicated on June 7, 1891. Around the turn of the century a third storey was added to the original structure.
In 1981 the rectory, one of Toronto's oldest residences, was renovated and restored to enhance its original Victorian Gothic design. To mark the event this plaque was blessed and dedicated by his eminence, G. Emmett Cardinal Carter, Archbishop of Toronto, on Sunday, March 28, 1982.
Erected 1982 by Archdiocese of Toronto.
Topics. This historical marker is listed
this page online
Location. 43° 39.333′ N, 79° 22.617′ W. Marker is in Toronto, Ontario. It is in Downtown Yonge East. It is on Church Street 0.1 kilometers south of Dundas Street East, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 200 Church Street, Toronto ON M5B 1Y7, 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. Michael’s Cathedral (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); International Union of Operating Engineers Local 793 (about 90 meters away); William Lyon Mackenzie (about 90 meters away); Cooper and Gillespie Houses (about 120 meters away); Mackenzie House (about 120 meters away); The Athenaeum Club (1891) (about 150 meters away); Robert Simpson Co. Warehouse (about 180 meters away); Massey Hall (about 210 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Toronto.
Photographed by Tim Boyd, June 1, 2026
2. St. Michael’s Cathedral Rectory Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on June 11, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 10, 2026, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 9 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 10, 2026, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
