Kingston Archdiocese celebrates bicentennial milestone

Organizers say the celebration is part of a broader year-long program recognizing two centuries of Catholic presence and growth in the region.

The Archdiocese of Kingston will mark its 200th anniversary with a Solemn Mass of Thanksgiving at St. Mary's Cathedral on Joihnson Street in Kingston on April 18, 2026, beginning at 10:30 a.m.

The milestone event will bring together church leaders from across Canada and abroad, including cardinals, bishops, the Apostolic Nuncio, elected officials, clergy, and parishioners.

A luncheon reception will follow the service, and each parish within the archdiocese will receive a specially commissioned anniversary icon to commemorate the occasion and bring back to their local communities. Organizers say the celebration is part of a broader year-long program recognizing two centuries of Catholic presence and growth in the region.

The anniversary year began in December 2025 and includes a series of events such as a summer speakers’ forum, pilgrimages to historic churches, and parish-based liturgy guides designed to support reflection and engagement across the diocese. The program will conclude in December 2026 with the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.

Established in 1826 by papal decree, the Kingston diocese was the second in what is now Canada and the first Roman Catholic diocese created in the British Empire following the Reformation. Church officials say the anniversary highlights both the historical importance and ongoing role of the archdiocese in shaping faith communities across eastern Ontario.

For your convenience, parking is available at Our Lady of Fatima Church, 588 Division Street. 

Shuttle Bus Service:

Our Lady of Fatima to St. Mary's Cathedral: 9:00 am to 10:15 am
St. Mary's Cathedral to Our Lady of Fatima: 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
Our Lady of Fatima return to St. Mary's Cathedral: 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm

Story by Tim Baltz