Macdonell, Bishop Alexander National Historic Person

St. Raphaels, Ontario
Portrait of Alexander Macdonell © None; Source: Library and Archives Canada, Acc. No. 1945-40-1
Portrait
© None; Source: Library and Archives Canada, Acc. No. 1945-40-1
Portrait of Alexander Macdonell © None; Source: Library and Archives Canada, Acc. No. 1945-40-1Detailed view of the HSMBC plaque © Parks Canada / Parcs Canada, 2008
Address : Ruin of St. Raphael's Roman Catholic Church National Historic Site of Canada, St. Raphaels, Ontario

Recognition Statute: Historic Sites and Monuments Act (R.S.C., 1985, c. H-4)
Designation Date: 1924-06-04
Life Date: 1762 to 1840

Other Name(s):
  • Macdonell, Bishop Alexander  (Designation Name)

Importance: First Roman Catholic Bishop in Upper Canada (1826)

Plaque(s)


Existing plaque: Ruin of St. Raphael's Roman Catholic Church NHSC King's Road at Frog Hollow Road, St. Raphaels, Ontario

Born in Scotland and educated for the priesthood, MacDonell obtained land in Glengarry County and, in 1804, brought many soldiers from his disbanded Highland Regiment to join the Loyalists already in Upper Canada. Having helped raise a second regiment which he accompanied into action during the War of 1812, he launched an unsuccessful campaign for provincially supported Catholic Schools. Consecrated in 1826, he became the first Roman Catholic Bishop in Upper Canada. After serving as a Legislative Councillor (1831-9), he returned to Scotland to promote emigration to Canada. He died at Dumfries.