Eglise Sainte-Marie may have new life.
The 100-plus year-old building in Clare was once the tallest wooden church in North America, it closed in 2019.
The building is in need of a new roof and other work, and was deemed ready for demolition by the owners, the Archdiocese of Halifax-Yarmouth.
A volunteer committee called Sainte-Marie heritage et developpement has been fighting to save the building.
Stephanie St-Pierre with the group says a ‘Heritage Alert’ has been declared by the International Council on Monuments and Sites.
“Letters all also sent to key political and policy advisors throughout Canada to advise them on what the next steps can and should be, according to ICOMOS,” said St-Pierre.
The alert calls for a halt to demolition plans, and to carry out repairs to the building immediately.
St-Pierre says the alert is great news, and a key turning point.
“Sainte-Marie is an amazing heritage building, and it confirms what we’ve known all along, that it’s not only important for Clare, the Acadian community and Nova Scotia, but it has an importance stance when it comes to world heritage.”
She says their group has completed a structural assessment, and a plan is due to the Archdiocese next month.
