Established by the Reverend Alexander Macdonnell, father of Roman Catholic education in Upper Canada and later Bishop of Kingston, the College of Iona was opened in 1826 in a log building near this site. The central portion of the nearby stone structure, erected by Macdonnell in 1808 as the presbytery for the parish, served as a residence for teachers and students. Much of the cost of construction and of the operational expenses of the school was borne by Macdonnell. In addition to being the first seminary in Upper Canada, the school offered a general academic education, preparing boys for secular vocations. After about ten years, its functions were taken over by Regiopolis College in Kingston.

Location

At Iona Academy, across from the ruins of St. Raphael's Church, King's Road, St. Raphaels

Themes

• Buildings and structures
• Education
• Religion