Martyrs' Shrine
Martyrs' Shrine
4.5
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Religious Sites • Churches & Cathedrals
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8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
About
Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, Martyrs' Shrine, including the Church and Grounds, is closed for 2020. Please visit our website for interactive content. We will reopen in 2021 on May 1. Martyrs' Shrine is Open from the First Saturday of May through to and including Thanksgiving Monday. Martyrs' Shrine is only National Shrine outside of Quebec, and honours the lives and stories of St. Jean de Brebeuf and his companions who served the Wendat peoples of Huronia living out the Mission of Jesus Christ.
Suggested duration
2-3 hours
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
233 reviews
Excellent
128
Very good
79
Average
20
Poor
5
Terrible
1
Dave W
Georgetown, Canada516 contributions
Jul. 2022
Visiting this site is always a peaceful experience. The beautiful church, the various saint stautes and shrines throughout the property - it's worth a visit to feed your soul.
Written July 22, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Mammig
Windsor, Canada187 contributions
Jul. 2021 • Couples
We were lucky enough to make a private reservation to visit here. This place is not open to the general public until May 2022. Only private bookings are available and while they may seem expensive the experience far outweighs the costs. Our experience was amazing. It was enlightening and we both would highly recommend everyone visit here to learn about the brave souls who sacrificed their lives here. This does not have to be a religious experience. It is history that is very important, that we should learn and process and teach our children. Canada doesn't preserve historical sites the way we should and the significance of the Shrine and St. Marie Among the Hurons should be taught to ALL children regardless of race religion or whatever. I cannot recommend this place enough.
Written July 30, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
truthskr
Berkeley, CA56 contributions
Aug. 2019
My husband and I drove to this shrine all the way from Annapolis, MD because we have a devotion to the "North American Martyrs," as they are called in the USA. We had previously visited the USA shrine in upstate New York, which we dearly loved (it's built on the site where St. Isaac Jogues and his companions were martyred at a Mohawk village called Ossernenon, which also happens to be the exact same village where St. Kateri Tekakwitha was born!). So, a year later, we decided to visit the larger shrine to the Jesuit martyrs in Ontario. The shrine church is large and the interior is beautiful. You do have to pay a fee to enter the grounds/park, but it was only $5 if I remember correctly. We went to Mass, walked the grounds, and visited the wonderful gift shop, which sold medals, books, and pictures about the North American Martyrs -- things that are extremely hard to find in the US. It's a bit of a long walk, but we chose to leave our car in the shrine parking lot and walk to the nearby Jesuit mission of Sainte Marie Among the Hurons. I would say the walk was about 20-30 minutes. We enjoyed our visit to the recreated mission site, complete with historical reenactments, a museum, and many historic buildings to enter. The historic chapel there is where St. Jean de Brebeuf and St. Gabriel Lalemant are buried. We spent a full day at the shrine and mission site combined. If we had had more time, we would have liked to drive to the nearby place where the saints were martyred; it is marked by a cross. Overall, I would recommend this as a wonderful 2 or 3 day trip from the Eastern US. We stopped at Niagara Falls for a half day on the way up.
Written February 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
patbennett2016
Georgina, Canada191 contributions
Nov. 2019
Enjoyed the beautiful energy around the area. Stations of the cross were a humbling experience. There was mass first with communion offered, a gift shop as well for rosaries etc.
Written November 25, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Heather
2 contributions
Oct. 2019 • Family
Website says open with hours posted. Drove for two hours with an elderly parent visiting from nipigon Ontario. Arrived to find the grounds closed. When we tried to walk up and at least get a picture we were told by workers that they were closed and asked to leave.
We understood the gift shop and other facilities wouldn’t be accessible this time of year. But couldn’t imagine not being able to visit the grounds. Especially since the website has current hours stating they were open. What a disappointment. Our visitor and parent has been trying to get there for years.
We understood the gift shop and other facilities wouldn’t be accessible this time of year. But couldn’t imagine not being able to visit the grounds. Especially since the website has current hours stating they were open. What a disappointment. Our visitor and parent has been trying to get there for years.
Written October 26, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Parvesh M
Brampton, Canada78 contributions
Sep. 2019
We try to go there at least once a year. The drive to the shrine is great, the church it self is very welcoming and the grounds are very well kept and very peaceful.
Written September 28, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Brenda J
3 contributions
Sep. 2019 • Couples
This place holds special to my heart. We have come to Midland many times and we never leave without a visit to the Shrine. Many of my prayer requests have been answered for my family and friends. Mass attendance was wonderful and peaceful for me.
Written September 2, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Mymin
Brighton, Canada131 contributions
Aug. 2019 • Solo
Masses for different societies arranged through the day, visitation from all religions are welcomed by the church
Written August 25, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
NeilP451
Caledon, Canada220 contributions
Aug. 2019
We could have used a site guide to determine what to see but we felt we got around most of the property. The outside shrines are very interesting and the explanations or text was well written. The church has a very interesting ceiling and certainly deserves a tour.
Written August 23, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Dave W
Georgetown, Canada516 contributions
Aug. 2019
I always enjoy visiting Martyrs Shrine in Midland. It is a beautiful and peaceful place. The grounds are well kept with several shrines to visit, including the papal altar where JPII celebrated Mass in 1984. The Church itself is also a striking edifice atop the highest hill in the area, and beautiful inside as well where relics of the Canadian Martyrs can be viewed and venerated. It can be a little distracting with camera-touting tourists everywhere, but there is a quiet and peaceful place to prayer in the woods called 'Berbeuf's Prayer Garden.' If you need that quiet time while visiting, that's a good place to go. Be aware that there is an entrance fee of $6 when you arrive by car which helps them to maintain the site.
Written August 20, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
May I have Mass schedule please.
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Visit Us
Our Season
First Saturday of May to Thanksgiving Monday
Mass Times
4 MAY - 14 OCTOBER 2019
Saturday & Sunday : 9:00 AM, 10:30 AM, 12:00 PM & 7:30 PM
MAY, JUNE, SEPTEMBER, AND OCTOBER
Mon-Fri : 9:00 AM, 12:00 PM & 7:30 PM
JULY AND AUGUST
Mon-Fri : 9:00 AM, 10:30 AM, 12:00 PM & 7:30 PM
Sacrament of Reconcilliation
4 MAI - 14 OCTOBER 2019
Daily: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM, 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM, and 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is also available upon request.
Blessings and Spiritual Conversation
4 MAI - 14 OCTOBER 2019
Daily: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM, 1:00 PM - 4:30 PM
A Jesuit Father is available in the Administration Office daily for Blessings, and spiritual conversation.
Pilgrimages & Events
Plan your visit to the National Shrine
September 2019today
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Albanian Pilgrimage
Archdiocese of Toronto Western Pastoral Region Pilgrimage
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
35th Annual Living Rosary Sunday Pilgrimage
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
Feast of the Canadian Martyrs Celebration
Tiawenk Fundraising Dinner
Tiawenk Fundraising Dinner
29 30 1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Download our 2019 Pilgrimage Poster
Upcoming Events
No Upcoming Events Found
Book Your Group or Pilgrimage
To book your group visit, educational programme, or pilgrimage, please contact us.
Contact Bookings
What You Need to Know
Helpful Information for Your Visit
What to Bring
Water
Sunscreen
Folding Chairs
Dogs (outside only, must on a leash)
What NOT to Bring
Pets (with the exception of dogs on leash, and Service Animals)
Charcoal Barbecues (propane is accepted)
Gift Shop
This unique Gift Shop at Martyrs’ Shrine is open from May to October and offers pilgrims an extensive selection of religious articles, souvenirs, and gift ideas. It features art, statues, scapulars, jewellery, postcards, books, prayer cards, crosses, rosaries, and much more.
More Information
20170713 - B. Penney 006St. Ignace II
Located East of Martyrs' Shrine on Rosemount Rd., the Site of St. Ignace II was originally a palisade village. In 1649, it was captured along with the neighbouring St. Louis Mission, where St Jean de Brébeuf and Gabriel Lalemant were seized. They were brought to St. Ignace II and, after suffering severely, died.
Today, the land of St. Ignace II is owned and cared for by Martyrs' Shrine. During the months of July and August, Mass is celebrated here every Wednesday at 3:00 PM.
086Caragouha
Located in Tiny Township, near Thunder Beach, Caragouha is a plot of land where the first Mass in Ontario was celebrated August 12, 1615 by the recollet Fr. Joseph LeCaron in the presence of Samuel de Champlain. This plot of land, on which stands a stone altar, is now owned and cared for by Martyrs' Shrine. An annual memorial Mass is held on this site on August 12th.
Sainte-Marie among the Hurons
Ontario’s first European Community, Sainte-Marie among the Hurons was the headquarters for the French Jesuit Mission to the Huron Wendat people. In 1639, the Jesuits, along with French lay workers, began construction of a fenced community that included barracks, a church, workshops, residences, and a sheltered area for Native visitors. By 1648, Sainte-Marie was a wilderness home to 66 French men, representing one-fifth of the entire population of New France. Sainte-Marie's brief history ended in 1649, when members of the mission community were forced to abandon and burn their home of nearly ten years.
After extensive archaeological and historical research initiated by the Society of Jesus, Sainte-Marie among the Hurons is now recreated on its original site, where the mission’s compelling story is brought to life.
Connected to Martyrs' Shrine by trail, this world-renowned reconstruction illustrates the interaction of the Canadian Martyrs and Wendat nations. Visitors get a unique opportunity to see the earliest Canadian pioneer life, through guided or self-guided visits, school group tours, interactive education programs, special events, and corporate functions.
VISIT THEIR WEBSITE
The Pilgrim Route
Through the collaborative efforts of the Martyrs’ Shrine, Georgian Bay Trails and Simcoe County Trails, a permanent 89 km off-road Pilgrim Route has been established to the Martyrs’ Shrine. While the official signs marking the new Pilgrim Route continue to be developed, the map below can be of assistance in guiding your pilgrimage to the Shrine.
View Route
Bus Tours Stopping at Martyrs' Shrine
Find Bus Tours Departing Near You with a Stop at Martyrs' Shrine
Burgess Tours Inc
*All New* Upper Canada Tour - September 3-10, 2019 (8 Days)
"Georgian Bay (cruise of 30,000 Islands), Midland, Collingwood, Muskoka Lakes, Wasaga Beach, Beautiful Blue Mountains, Historical Kingston & Sunset Thousand Islands Dinner Cruise"
Departing Moncton, Petitcodiac, Sussex, Hampton, Quispamsis, Saint John, Fredericton & Woodstock | Tour with Guide | English Language Tour
DISCOVER MORE
See full details on the Burgess Tours Website
Learn More
Bus tours promoted on our website are from third-party travel companies who have booked their group at Martyrs' Shrine.
It is for informational purposes only. Martyrs' Shrine does not organize, sell, or otherwise distribute these packages.
Driving Directions
Toronto
Collingwood & Wasaga
Huntsville & Muskoka
Sudbury & Parry Sound
GPS Coordinates & Tips
16163 HWY 12 W, Midland, ON, L4R 4K6
For those requiring our GPS coordinates for navigation, please use the following coordinates for our location:
Latitude 44.73681
Longitude -79.84169
Experiencing difficulties finding the Martyrs’ Shrine with your GPS? Please try any of the following alternatives:
Ontario 12 or ONT 12, in place of the street name
Tay Township, in place of the city/town
locate a nearby intersection: Ontario 12 & William St.
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MISSION
Martyrs’ Shrine invigorates pilgrims through the story of the Martyrs and their companions, who lived the mission of Jesus Christ.
VISION
At Martyrs’ Shrine pilgrims of all faiths and cultures will be renewed in faith, hope and love, and inspired to continue the mission of this sacred place where saints walked.
VALUES
Peace, Prayer, Solidarity, Hospitality, Justice, Pilgrimage, Thanksgiving, Leadership, Healing, Contemplation, Reconciliation
OUR LOCATION
16163 Highway 12 West
P.O. Box 7
Midland, Ontario, Canada
L4R 4K6
OUR SEASON
Martyrs' Shrine is open to the public from the first Saturday of May to Thanksgiving Monday.
HOURS OF OPERATION
Gates: 8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Administration and Information Office: Open Daily: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Les Trois Soeurs Cafe: Now Open Daily 10 AM to 4 PM until October 14, 2019.
Gift Shop: 9:30 AM - noon & 12:30 PM - 4:30 PM.
QUICK LINKS
Home
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Make a Donation
©2018 Martyrs' Shrine.
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Nicole B
Toronto, Canada16 contributions
Hello,
I will be visiting in the summer with my family and I was wondering if we could bring a portable BBQ to have a picnic on the grounds?
Julie L
7 contributions
Hi Nicole - I have never tried to BBQ on the grounds and I have not seen anyone else BBQ there. There are lots of great places around Midland/Penetang to do so, but the Martyr's Shrine would not be my first choice.
tinytoons143
Toronto, Canada4 contributions
Are pets allowed on the grounds?
jmtb1usa
Buffalo, NY47 contributions
The website says that leashed dogs are permitted on the grounds, but not in the buildings.
Can ashes be scattered on the shrine property?
hodge670
London, Canada46 contributions
I would be checking with management about that ,
Bill N
Elmira, Canada81 contributions
wheel chair accessible??
Martyrs_Shrine
Midland, Canada
Hello,
Martyrs' Shrine is wheelchair accessible. Please however note that there is uphill terrain.
oscarmilton1958
London, Canada
I need to know the address?
Martyrs_Shrine
Midland, Canada
Hello! We are located at 16163 Highway 12 West, Midland, Ontario. Take Hwy 400 North, to Hwy 12 West exit. Continue on Hwy 12 until you see the church, right before you get into Midland.
MARTYRS' SHRINE (Midland) - 2023 What to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Martyrs' Shrine
- Martyrs' Shrine is open:
- Sun - Sat 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
- We recommend booking Martyrs' Shrine tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 1 Martyrs' Shrine tours on Tripadvisor
- Hotels near Martyrs' Shrine:
- (4.06 km) Sugar Ridge Retreat Centre
- (2.26 km) Comfort Inn Midland
- (5.94 km) Beacon Shore Bed & Breakfast
- (7.14 km) Tucked Inn the Harbour B&B
- (3.03 km) Midland Inn & Suites
- Restaurants near Martyrs' Shrine:
- (0.33 km) Restaurant Sainte-Marie
- (3.59 km) Dino's Fresh Food Deli
- (1.33 km) Mom's Restaurant
- (3.49 km) The Explorers Cafe
- (3.99 km) Grounded Coffee Company
- Attractions near Martyrs' Shrine:
- (0.33 km) Sainte-Marie Among the Hurons
- (0.33 km) Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre
- (3.34 km) The SS Keewatin
- (9.69 km) King's Wharf Theatre
- (3.53 km) Midland Cultural Centre