When John Ashurst, the heritage conservationist from Bournemouth University visited St. Raphael's recently, he described the ashlar-facing masonry as "of the finest workmanship" and the edifice itself as "the best monument of its type in Canada".
In 1970, a fire, natural in origin, consumed the church leaving only bare stone walls. The walls were later stabilized by the Ontario Heritage Foundation.
Open-air concerts were held regularly until 1992 when the fall of a single stone forced the temporary closing of the site. |
St. Raphael's Ruins
In 1970 a fire consumed the church of St. Raphael's, one of the earliest Roman Catholic churches in English-speaking Canada. Fortunately the outer walls were spared and today its impressive scale and fine masonry work continue to attract the tourists to the site. The Ruins were declared a National Historic Site in 1999.
Visitors are welcome to tour the site. Gates are open during the day in the summer months with a curator on duty in July and August..
No charge but free will donations are gratefully accepted.
What's New at St. Raphael's!
 Bonnie Native Glen
2011 Friends of the Ruins Launch a CD!
Summer of 2010 at the Ruins
Searching!
Memorial Plaques 2010
Joan P. MacDonald
The Ruins Today
Policy re Weddings in the Ruins
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