From the November 14, 2021, "NowToronto "Hidden Toronto: First Catholic bishop's residence" by Enzo Dimatteo.
It's barely noticeable today but it was once the home of the man behind Upper Canada's Catholic crusade. It's at 113 Jarvis in Toronto.
John Strachan was Canada's first Anglican bishop and known for his Tory politics and ties to the Family Compact. He was also a member of the Legislative Council of Upper Canada. Today there are schools and a street named for him near where his home used to stand at University and Front.
It was there that loyalist forces gathered on the first night of the rebellion against the Family Compact led by Mackenzie in 1837.
But his equal, and the subject of this article was Alexander Macdonell (sometimes called McDonell). This man was also a staunch Tory and he became John Strachan's religious counterpart as Upper Canada's first Catholic bishop.
Like Strachan, Macdonell was born in Scotland and his Catholic upbringing preached obedience to the Crown, but he was perhaps an even more strident crusader of Tory values. Indeed, he would take up arms in defense of the Crown in a number of wars, including the War of 1812, when he raised a regiment against the American forces.
--Brock-Perry
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