Born in Carlisle, England, Baxter came to Canada as a child. He studied in Toronto and at the Sulpician College in Montreal before becoming, reputedly, the first English-speaking Jesuit novice in Canada. After his ordination in New York in 1854, he served at various missions in the United States and Canada and arrived at Fort William in 1872. He quickly became renowned for his selflessness and the legendary stamina he displayed on arduous trips along the Dawson Road and the C.P.R. line. He was responsible for the building of the original St. Andrew's Church (1874-75), and is credited with establishing churches at Fort William, White River and Schreiber. From 1881 until his retirement in 1893, he worked tirelessly as a railroad missionary.

Location

On the grounds of St. Andrew's Roman Catholic Church, a church he established, 292 Algoma Street, Thunder Bay

Themes

• People
• Religion
• Transportation systems and communications