St. Patrick’s Parish (Archdiocese of Toronto)
St. Patrick’s Parish is in Ontario (Canada) and is part of the Archdiocese of Toronto.
It is dedicated to Saint Patrick.
| St. Patrick’s Parish | |
| Dedication: | Saint Patrick |
| Venerated Saints: | |
| Diocese: | Archdiocese of Toronto |
| Deanery: | Central Toronto Deanery |
| Address: | 137 McCaul Street, Toronto, ON M5T 1W3 |
| Coordinates: | 43.6546, -79.3916 |
| City: | Toronto, ON |
| Subdivision: | Ontario |
| Country: | Canada |
| County: | Toronto |
| Website: | https://stpatricksto.archtoronto.org |
| Founded: | 1861 |
| School: | No |
| Email: | stpatricksto@archtoronto.org |
History
St. Patrick’s Parish, located in downtown Toronto, was established in 1861 to serve the growing Irish Catholic immigrant population in the city. It is recognized as Toronto's fifth oldest Roman Catholic parish. The current Romanesque Revival church, designed by architect Arthur W. Holmes, was completed and dedicated in 1908, though baptismal records indicate parish activity as early as 1858. The parish has been under the care of the Redemptorist Fathers since its early years, a tradition that continues to this day. In the 20th century, it became a significant spiritual center, notably as the home of the Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help, established in the diocese to foster Marian devotion. The parish has also served diverse communities, including German-speaking Catholics who hold services there.
Special features
- Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help, a focal point for weekly novena devotions attracting approximately 3,000 pilgrims every Wednesday.
- Romanesque Revival architecture by Arthur W. Holmes, completed in 1908, featuring distinctive stonework and interior design.
- St. Patrick’s Gregorian Choir, founded in 2006, specializing in Gregorian chant for Saturday 5:00 p.m. Masses and organizing annual Christmas organ fundraising concerts.
- Historical significance as a hub for Irish Catholic immigrants in the 19th century and a venue for interfaith gatherings during the 20th century.
Related parishes
- St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica – The mother church of the Archdiocese of Toronto, linked through shared diocesan events and history.
- St. Mary’s Parish – Another historic Toronto parish with Irish roots, located in the west end of the city.