St. Patrick's Basilica
Ottawa ON
K1R 5G2
Who we are
Saint Patrick's Basilica is the oldest English speaking Catholic parish in Ottawa. It was founded in 1855, although its development goes back much further. Construction of the present Church began in 1868. The original architect was Augustus Laver of the firm Fuller and Laver, architects of the East and West blocks of the Parliament Buildings.
In the long course of constuction, the original plan was changed considerably. In 1872, the cornerstone was blessed by Bishop Guigues, the first bishop of Ottawa, and laid by Sir John A. Macdonald, the first Prime Minister of Canada.
In 1875, the as yet incomplete building was blessed by Archbishop Duhamel and named for the patron saint of Ireland. The Irish have always played an important part in Saint Patrick's parish and most of its pastors have been of Irish Descent.
In the beginning, Saint Patrick's looked after all the English-speaking Catholics in Ottawa and across the river in Hull. Gradually, as the English Catholic population increased, new parishes were established and the territory of Saint Patrick's was reduced. Today it is a downtown parish in a neighbourhood that is more business than residential.
Gothic in style, Saint Patrick's Basilica is made of local stone. It has double aisles and a short transept. It seats a thousand people.
Â
In the long course of constuction, the original plan was changed considerably. In 1872, the cornerstone was blessed by Bishop Guigues, the first bishop of Ottawa, and laid by Sir John A. Macdonald, the first Prime Minister of Canada.
In 1875, the as yet incomplete building was blessed by Archbishop Duhamel and named for the patron saint of Ireland. The Irish have always played an important part in Saint Patrick's parish and most of its pastors have been of Irish Descent.
In the beginning, Saint Patrick's looked after all the English-speaking Catholics in Ottawa and across the river in Hull. Gradually, as the English Catholic population increased, new parishes were established and the territory of Saint Patrick's was reduced. Today it is a downtown parish in a neighbourhood that is more business than residential.
Â
Church Website
St. Patrick's Basilica on Social Media
Â
First Sunday of Advent, 3rd December, 2023
Leadership
Leader Name:
Fr. Stephen Amesse Â
Leader Position:
Rector Â
Phone:
Leader Email:
Click here to contact Fr. Stephen Amesse Â
Other Church Leaders:
Rev. Jessimar Tapia: Associate Rector
Rev. Larry McCormick: Retired in Residence
Deacon Jim Scheer: Permanent Deacon
Deacon John George: Permanent Deacon Â
Rev. Larry McCormick: Retired in Residence
Deacon Jim Scheer: Permanent Deacon
Deacon John George: Permanent Deacon Â
St. Patrick's Basilica Mass Times
Mass
Sunday Mass Schedule
Saturday 4:30 PM
Sunday 8:00 AM 9:30 AM 11:00 AM 12:15 PM 7:00 PM
Daily Mass Schedule
Monday-Saturday 7:30 AM
Monday-Friday 12:15 PM 4:30 PM
Upcoming Holy Days
Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ
December 24 4:30 PM 7:30 PM
December 25 8:00 AM 9:30 AM 11:00 AM 12:15 PM
Mary, Mother of God
December 31 4:30 PM
January 1 8:00 AM 9:30 AM 11:00 AM 12:15 PM
Confession
Monday-Friday
7:00 AM to 7:30 AM
11:45 AM to 12:15 PM
4:00 PM to 4:30 PM
Saturday
7:00 AM to 7:30 AM
3:30 PM to 4:25 PM
Adoration
1st Friday 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM
It's been more than 4 months since the last mass times update. Please make sure to contact the church to confirm mass times.
Please contact the church to confirm Mass Times or SUBSCRIBE to updates below
Sunday Mass Schedule
Saturday 4:30 PM
Sunday 8:00 AM 9:30 AM 11:00 AM 12:15 PM 7:00 PM
Daily Mass Schedule
Monday-Saturday 7:30 AM
Monday-Friday 12:15 PM 4:30 PM
Upcoming Holy Days
Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ
December 24 4:30 PM 7:30 PM
December 25 8:00 AM 9:30 AM 11:00 AM 12:15 PM
Mary, Mother of God
December 31 4:30 PM
January 1 8:00 AM 9:30 AM 11:00 AM 12:15 PM
Confession
Monday-Friday
7:00 AM to 7:30 AM
11:45 AM to 12:15 PM
4:00 PM to 4:30 PM
Saturday
7:00 AM to 7:30 AM
3:30 PM to 4:25 PM
Adoration
1st Friday 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM
It's been more than 4 months since the last mass times update. Please make sure to contact the church to confirm mass times.
Please contact the church to confirm Mass Times or SUBSCRIBE to updates below
PRINT
ZOOM
ICAL
SUBSCRIBE
Dress Code
Sunday School / Children and Youth Activities
Other activities & ministries
Basilica Commissions (Ministries)
Worship Commission:
Altar Servers
Extraordinary Ministers of Communion
Funeral Assistant Ministry
Lectors
Ministry of Hospitality / Ushers
Wedding Assistant Ministry
Christian Services:
Pastoral Home Care
Pro Life
St. Vincent de Paul Society
Community Life Commission:
Christian Meditation
Knights of Columbus Council 12158
Knights of Columbus Assembly 0860
Legion of Mary
Scripture Studies
The Venerable Michael McGivney Honoris
Education Commission:
1st Communion & Reconciliation
Confirmation
Adult Initiation
Adult Faith Formation Â
Worship Commission:
Altar Servers
Extraordinary Ministers of Communion
Funeral Assistant Ministry
Lectors
Ministry of Hospitality / Ushers
Wedding Assistant Ministry
Christian Services:
Pastoral Home Care
Pro Life
St. Vincent de Paul Society
Community Life Commission:
Christian Meditation
Knights of Columbus Council 12158
Knights of Columbus Assembly 0860
Legion of Mary
Scripture Studies
The Venerable Michael McGivney Honoris
Education Commission:
1st Communion & Reconciliation
Confirmation
Adult Initiation
Adult Faith Formation Â
Other information
Additional Info:
Gift Shop and Book Store (613-235-7963)
Hours:
Weekdays 11:00 am to 5:30 p.m.
Saturdays 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Sundays 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Â
Hours:
Weekdays 11:00 am to 5:30 p.m.
Saturdays 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Sundays 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Â
St. Patrick's Basilica History
While we are under the patronage of the great saint of Ireland, Patrick, our parish began under the protection of Saint Andrew in 1855, with a tiny church on what is now Sparks Street. It wasn’t until almost ten years later (1864) that the current site was purchased on land then used for duck hunting!
Construction began in 1869 but the cornerstone wasn’t blessed until 1872 (among those present was the Prime Minister of the day, Sir John A. MacDonald) and the first Mass celebrated in 1873, with the dedication taking place on March 14, 1875. Work continued (including the side altars and installation of the church organ) well into the beginning of the 20th century.
Beautiful as it is, Saint Patrick Basilica is primarily a place of worship and prayer. Over its history, literally thousands of Masses have been offered; tens of thousands of sacraments celebrated, and hundreds of thousands of people have walked through its doors. Today, almost one hundred and seventy years since its founding, the faithful come from all over the national capital region – and beyond – to participate in any of the six Sunday Masses, sixteen weekday Masses, seventeen periods of Confession that are available each week; not to mention the opportunity for private prayer during the eleven hours each day (nine on Sunday) that the Basilica is open.
In the beginning, Saint Patrick's had pastoral care of all English-speaking Catholics in Ottawa and across the river in Hull (now Gatineau). Gradually, as the Catholic population increased, new parishes were established and the territory of Saint Patrick's was reduced. Today, it is a downtown parish in a neighbourhood that is both commercial as well as residential.
On March 17, 1995, Saint Patrick’s was elevated to the status of Minor Basilica.
Â
Construction began in 1869 but the cornerstone wasn’t blessed until 1872 (among those present was the Prime Minister of the day, Sir John A. MacDonald) and the first Mass celebrated in 1873, with the dedication taking place on March 14, 1875. Work continued (including the side altars and installation of the church organ) well into the beginning of the 20th century.
Beautiful as it is, Saint Patrick Basilica is primarily a place of worship and prayer. Over its history, literally thousands of Masses have been offered; tens of thousands of sacraments celebrated, and hundreds of thousands of people have walked through its doors. Today, almost one hundred and seventy years since its founding, the faithful come from all over the national capital region – and beyond – to participate in any of the six Sunday Masses, sixteen weekday Masses, seventeen periods of Confession that are available each week; not to mention the opportunity for private prayer during the eleven hours each day (nine on Sunday) that the Basilica is open.
On March 17, 1995, Saint Patrick’s was elevated to the status of Minor Basilica.
Â
"Faith in a prayer-hearing God will make a prayer-loving Christian". Andrew Murray
St. Patrick's Basilica listing was last updated on the 6th of December, 2023
