St. Paul's Basilica, Historic Catholic church in Old Toronto, Canada

St. Paul's Basilica is a Romanesque Revival church designed by Joseph Connolly and opened in 1889, modelled on the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls in Rome. Its facade combines brown and grey brick with stone trim, while a light grey stone campanile built in 1905 rises at the left. Inside, the barrel-vaulted apse holds a semicircular painting of Saul's conversion above the inscription "SAULE SAULE QUID ME PERSEQUERIS".

The parish was founded in 1822 by James Baby, when York belonged to the Diocese of Kingston; it was the only Catholic parish between Kingston and Windsor. The first church, of red brick in Gothic Revival style, was completed on this site in 1824. From 1842 to 1848 it served as pro-cathedral of the new Diocese of Toronto. The present Romanesque Revival church, designed by Joseph Connolly after the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls in Rome, opened in 1889.

The parish was founded in 1822 by James Baby and served Irish immigrants; a school opened soon after the church. The interior apse carries the Latin inscription "SAULE SAULE QUID ME PERSEQUERIS", the words spoken to Paul on the road to Damascus, above a painting of the horse-borne figure. In the north transept a stained-glass window shows Paul holding a sword, dedicated to oarsman William Joseph O'Connor.

The basilica is open to the public, and visitors should know that active worship and religious activities take place inside regularly. Access is easiest during non-service times so you can view the architectural details at a comfortable pace.

One window in the north transept shows the Apostle Paul holding a sword and was dedicated to William Joseph O'Connor, a skilled rower of his era. This connection between biblical history and local history gives this artwork special meaning in the building.