Except translation, this story has not been edited by achinews staff and is published from a syndicated feed.
A prominent church in Halifax has been ordered to close until further notice due to safety concerns with its steeple.
On Wednesday, the city posted an Order to Comply on the St. Patrick’s Church building, located on Brunswick Street in Halifax. The first order requires the building to be vacated, while the second order calls for the installation of a security fence to “protect the public along Brunswick Street immediately in front of the church.”
In a statement from the Archdiocese of Halifax-Yarmouth, spokeswoman Aurea Sadi said on Friday that once work is done to make the structure safe, the parish community will decide how to dispose of important and sacred objects and when the last mass is celebrated in St. Patrick’s. .
Sadi said that the loss of a historic place of worship which has played a significant role in the life of a parish community and the community in general is sad and a matter of mourning.
A fence is seen in front of St Patrick’s Church in Halifax. (James Morrison/CTV Atlantic)
A news release from the Nova Scotia Heritage Trust on Thursday says it has learned the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Halifax-Yarmouth has plans to demolish the steeple of the church by the end of June.
The organization says that as an urban and provincial registered heritage property, permission from the Governor in Council is required for any significant alterations to the church, including demolition.
The Heritage Trust says, as far as it knows, the archdiocese does not yet have permission.
The steeple of St Patrick’s Church in Halifax can be seen in this image. (James Morrison/CTV Atlantic)
A statement from the archdiocese says that they have been in the process of deciding to remove the steeple, in accordance with a recent report from structural engineers.
The statement also confirmed that mass and activities at Saint Patrick’s Church have ended and that the building is closed to the public.
In May, Archbishop Brian Joseph Dunn made the decision to close St. Theresa’s Church on North Street and St. Patrick’s Church on Brunswick Street following recommendations from the parish leadership of St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi Parish, according to a news release from Sadi on May 13.
At that time, Sadi said that funding, attendance, pastoral ability, proximity to other churches, as well as the structural concerns of the buildings were all factors that led to the recommendations to close.
For more Nova Scotia news visit our dedicated provincial page.
(Except translation, this story has not been edited by achinews staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
source link https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/catholic-church-in-halifax-ordered-to-immediately-close-over-safety-concerns-1.6936561
