The historic St-Eusèbe-de-Verceil church in Montreal is on the brink of demolition as its caretakers seek legal action against the city to remove the deteriorating structure. Years of neglect, a significant fire, and repeated vandalism have left the church in ruins, prompting concerns about both safety and financial viability. As congregations dwindle and support for restoration fades, the fate of this once-vibrant place of worship reflects a broader challenge facing religious institutions across Quebec.
A Poignant Reflection of Decline
Tacked onto the plywood fence surrounding the abandoned church is a poignant poem that captures the essence of its decline. Written by an anonymous poet, it begins with the stark admission, “This church is no more,” and concludes with a haunting question: “Why is the building moulding too?” This sentiment echoes the frustration of parish officials who are grappling with the church’s fate.
Once a thriving centre for worship, the St-Eusèbe-de-Verceil church has suffered a series of setbacks. A devastating fire in 2019 caused significant damage, while ongoing vandalism has further exacerbated its state. Over the years, the church has become a target for urban explorers and social media enthusiasts eager to document their forays into the decaying space.
Struggles Behind Closed Doors
Father Roger Dufresne, now 77, oversees the church’s operations and faces the daunting task of keeping intruders at bay. “They use all kinds of tools to break the windows, break the doors, get inside,” he lamented, noting that many young people seek to capture their exploits for TikTok. The sanctuary, once filled with worshippers, now echoes with the sounds of pigeons and the remnants of vandalism, including broken statues and a ruined organ.
“Since 2009, the main sanctuary has not been used,” Dufresne explained, highlighting the church’s long-standing struggle to remain relevant. Multiple attempts to collaborate with developers for possible redevelopment have fallen through, primarily due to financial constraints and regulatory hurdles imposed by the city.
Legal Action and Financial Burdens
In a bid to secure a demolition permit, the St-Eusèbe-de-Verceil parish filed a court application on January 7. The legal documents cite health and safety concerns as well as financial difficulties stemming from the church’s deteriorating condition. The parish has incurred over $219,000 in fines related to the building’s structural integrity, despite investing more than $100,000 in security measures since 2017.
The Montreal Catholic Archdiocese and Dufresne believe that the building is beyond saving. An engineering assessment conducted after the fire estimated restoration costs at over $50 million. The firm CIMA+ recommended total demolition as the most viable solution, considering both safety and economic factors.
The City of Montreal has yet to comment on the court case, and as of now, no date has been set for a hearing.
A Broader Challenge for Quebec’s Religious Institutions
As the struggle of St-Eusèbe-de-Verceil highlights, the decline of religious institutions is not an isolated phenomenon. Across Quebec, many churches are grappling with dwindling congregations and a lack of funding for preservation efforts. With the province’s support for religious building restoration diminishing, these historic sites face an uncertain future.
Why it Matters
The plight of the St-Eusèbe-de-Verceil church is emblematic of a larger trend affecting religious institutions in Quebec and beyond. As communities evolve and the relevance of faith-based spaces diminishes, the challenge of preserving these historical sites intensifies. The outcome of this case could set a precedent for similar institutions grappling with the balance between heritage preservation and practical viability, raising critical questions about the future of faith in an increasingly secular society.
