The future of a historical Catholic church in the North End of Halifax is uncertain and could remain that way for years.
According to the parishioner for St. Patrick’s Church, John Murphy, the heritage building is closed due to structural concerns and is at risk of being demolished.
For now, it remains at its home on Brunswick Street, with a yellow fence surrounding its perimeter.
The Archdiocese of Halifax-Yarmouth had to shut down operations suddenly last month after HRM had a good look at the steeple, which Murphy says, is of “immediate concern.”
A fellow fence outlines the base of St. Patrick’s Church. Photo: Blair Beed
He tells us it needs to be fixed but they don’t know what needs to be done just yet, and after they have a better idea of what it will cost, they will take things from there.
“The ballpark figure running…and it has varied a little bit from $10.5 to $12.5 million in terms of repair, but that may include a complete dismantling and rebuilding of the church which I don’t think would be on anyone’s agenda.”
Murphy adds that they plan to have someone come in to do a study and determine what the total price will be, and if manageable, they would try to fix it.
Prior to the closure, Murphy says they sent a letter to the Vatican in Ottawa as an appeal to save the church considering its historical value not only to Nova Scotia, but the people it serves.
“It would be a terrible thing to see that church meet its fate with a wrecking ball. It is such an actually beautiful church that needs a bit of love, that’s for sure. I think to have it come down is completely short sighted in terms of what the long-term plan should be.”
The whole process to decide St. Patrick’s fate, he adds, could take up to three years, because it is a heritage building.
The archdiocese needs to apply to the municipality as well as the province, to do any structural changes.
Standing strong
St. Patrick’s Church has been standing for 140 years.
It was built in 1885 and survived the Halifax Explosion, only needing some new stained-glass windows, plaster and a dusting off of the organ.
Historian Blair Beed tells us St. Patrick’s means a lot to him after volunteering there for the last 25 years and having family ties to it.
“My great-grandmother baked pies to build the place. My father and family all lived on Gerrish Street, so right from as a kid I was going to St. Patrick’s for various things.”
Beed adds, those who had attended the church, truly love it and some still meet outside at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday mornings outside, just to have a conversation.
“The stained-glass windows, statues, the organ, the high altar…they all combine to give you a sense of continuity and place and I think that’s why people like it. It’s acoustically considered one of the best churches for concerts in Halifax.”
Photo: Blair Beed
He adds that the church also helps out at schools, food banks and has a place in that “fabric of the neighborhood,” and to not have it running is, “a loss.”
St. Patrick’s closed in late June.
