In the year 1882, 50 acres of land with a frontage of 320 ft. on St. Clair Avenyue West was boght by Father Lawrence Brennan. Originally, the land was purchased to be used as a farm for St. Michael’s College and also to be used to train young men who hoped to become priests. On May 8, 1892, the cornerstone for the novitiate was laid along with a chapel. The chapel served as the parish church for the then Irish community present there. By October of 1892, they were ready for use and the chapel was dedicated to Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary. The parish hall had originally opened in 1914 and was used for multiple purposes such as teaching, community events, parish groups and events for relief of war victims. In August of 1924, there was a demand for a new church due to the growing Parish. Father Michael Oliver, who was the appointed pastor then, had a particular interest towards churches of England and thus, he modeled the new Holy Rosary Church after the 15th century Gothic church St. Mary the Virgin in Huntingdonshire, England. The cornerstone for the church was laid on May 30, 1926. Additionally, the completed church cost around $150,000 and was eventually opened on May 8, 1927 Stained glass windows were first installed over the main altar in 1928 and these were installed in the memory of the donor’s son, John Franklin Brown Jr. who had lost his life in the First World War. Then, the installation of the great tower windows over the choir loft had begun in 1931 which was then followed by the installation of the other windows. The aforementioned additions were finally completed in 1945.

• Architect - Arthur William Holmes  <-- More buildings by this architect.
• Architect - Irving B. Boigon  <-- More buildings by this architect.