Halifax archbishop dismayed by Saint Patrick's Church heritage designation

The Roman Catholic archbishop of Halifax and Yarmouth is disappointedwith Halifax regional council's decision to designateSaintPatrick's Church on Brunswick Street a heritage property.

"We're faced with a deteriorating building,"ArchbishopAnthony Mancini said Friday."With the designation it makes any kindof action to preserve this worship space very difficult to do."

Until recently, the congregation thought the building had beendesignated 30 years ago, he said. Because of a clerical error involvingthe street address, the church rectory was designated instead.

So a heritage hearing was held and regional councillorswere asked to fix the mistake this week.

• Read the full staff report on the heritage designation

A diocese representative asked council to vote down the recommendation so emergencyrepairs could be done without adhering to heritage standards so costs could be reduced.

"There are safety concerns that worry us,"Mancini said.

$1.5M in repairs needed

Chunks of granite recently felloff the side of thechurch.According to engineering consultants who inspectedthe property, the building needs $1.5 million inimmediaterepairs just to stabilize it.

But regional councillors worried that not designating theproperty could eventually lead to its demolition.A municipalevaluationgave SaintPatrick's a very high rating on the heritage value scale.

"The inside of this church rivals some of the basilicas theyhave in Europe," Peninsula NorthCoun. Jennifer Watts said Friday."It's just beautiful."

Councillors questioned how much money the diocese couldsave by eliminating the municipal designation since the church already hasprovincial heritage status. A number ofcouncillors also wondered if members of the congregation were evenaware of the diocese's request.

Church's future in doubt

Although the building has retained its heritage status, the futureof the church is still in doubt.

The archbishopsaid the diocese does not haveenough money for repairs. The congregationwill soon lose its "pastoral care," andMancinisaid he is not sure he will be ableto find a replacement.

"I make the distinction between the parish and the communityof faith, and the church building," hesaid.

"Those two thingsare not to be equated."

Mancini said he plansto meet with the membersof the congregation in the next few weeks.