St. Basil’s Parish Celebrates 169th Founding Anniversary

This past weekend we celebrated 169 years since St. Basil’s Parish first opened its doors in Toronto. Since then, countless generations have gathered here to pray, celebrate, and grow in faith. Through the changes of the city and the passing of time, the parish has remained a steadfast spiritual home. We give thanks for this remarkable legacy and look with hope to the years still to come.

When St. Basil’s was first established in 1856, Toronto was still a young and growing city. The parish was built to serve both the Catholic community in the heart of the city and the students of St. Michael’s College, which was entrusted to the Basilian Fathers. The church quickly became more than just a chapel for the college—it was a place where families, workers, and newcomers to the city could find a sense of belonging.

Over the decades, the parish has witnessed the growth of Toronto from a small provincial town into a modern metropolis. Its Gothic Revival architecture, with its soaring spire and distinctive stonework, has stood as a landmark on the city’s skyline and a reminder of the enduring presence of faith in an ever-changing environment. Generations of Basilians have ministered here, guiding parishioners through times of peace and prosperity, as well as through moments of trial and uncertainty.

The parish has also played an important role in the spiritual and academic life of Toronto. As the home parish of St. Michael’s College and later St. Michael’s College School, it has been a center where education and faith have gone hand in hand, shaping young people to become leaders rooted in Catholic tradition.

From baptisms and weddings to solemn liturgies and quiet daily Masses, St. Basil’s has been a place where life’s most important moments are brought before God. It has seen the faces of generations come and go, each leaving behind their prayers, joys, and hopes within its walls.

As we mark 169 years of this historic parish, we remember not only the past but also the promise of the future. St. Basil’s continues to be a place of welcome, a spiritual home in the heart of downtown Toronto, and a reminder that faith endures through the ages. With gratitude for the past and confidence in the years to come, we celebrate this milestone in the life of our community.