Archbishop Neil McNeil

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Neil McNeil was born in Hillsborough, Nova Scotia, on November 23, 1851. He received his philosophical and theological education at the Propaganda College in Rome, and on April 12, 1879, he was ordained priest at the College. Father McNeil served as a professor and later rector of St. Francis Xavier College, Antigonish from 1880 until 1891. He was also pastor of two Antigonish parishes. 

On August 6, 1895, Father McNeil was appointed Titular Bishop of Nilopolis and Vicar Apostolic of St. George's, Newfoundland. He was consecrated in Antigonish on October 20, 1895 by Bishop John Cameron of Antigonish. Bishop McNeil became St. George's first Bishop on Feb. 8, 1904. On January 19, 1910, Bishop McNeil became Archbishop of Vancouver.

Archbishop McNeil was appointed to the See of Toronto on April 10, 1912. The first years of his administration were spent completing St. Augustine's Seminary and the Canadian Catholic Church Extension Society, both founded by his predecessor. The Seminary was opened and dedicated on August 28, 1913 by Archbishop McNeil with great ceremony and fanfare.

Archbishop McNeil's administration of twenty-two years witnessed the doubling of the Catholic population, the creation of thirty new parishes, and an increase in clergy serving the Archdiocese. Parish communities for non-English speaking immigrants were created throughout the city.

Archbishop McNeil also campaigned for new legislation to ensure the fair distribution of taxes to separate schools, and laboured to promote good relations between Catholics and Protestants. His Grace personally gave to anyone in need and also created the Federation of Catholic Charities which cooperated with Protestant agencies. The China Mission Seminary (later the Scarborough Foreign Missionary Society) was established at His Grace's request, as was the Newman Club.

On May 25, 1934, Archbishop McNeil died and was buried at St. Augustine's Seminary. His twenty-two year reign was one of unprecedented expansion.