Archdiocese praying that churches won't get heritage designations

The Archdiocese of Ottawa-Cornwall is concerned that heritage designations for two of its Ottawa churches would be more of a burden than a blessing.

Last Tuesday, the city's built heritage committee recommended that Saint-François-d'Assise in Hintonburg and Saint-Joseph d'Orléans in Orléans be given heritage protections.

But that would only bring unnecessary bureaucracy, according to Richard Pommainville, the archdiocese's chief administrative officer.

"How does this assist the mission of the church, which is to bring the word of God?" he asked. "If Jesus were to be here right now, I don't think he'd be in support of a designation."

But for some in Hintonburg, a designation for Saint-François-d'Assise would be a commitment to retain a beautiful building which looms large in their community and lives on as a piece of their history.

Preservation proving costly

Buildings that get heritage designations are granted special legal status under the Ontario Heritage Act, which recognizes their cultural value, ensures their preservation and protects them from demolition and inappropriate alteration.

Saint-François-d'Assise was built by the Capuchin Fathers in 1914-15, according to the Hintonburg Community Association's (HCA) history and heritage committee. 

It replaced a smaller church as the population grew, and what was once a garden and orchard at the church, enclosed by a solid wall, is now Hintonburg Park. 

"There's a lot of beauty behind it, there's no doubt about that," said Pommainville. 

But maintaining that beauty is costly, he added. 

In addition to the church's regular operational costs, the stained glass had to be repaired last year — and while they got a "small grant" it didn't cover the full cost, Pommainville said. They also anticipate the church will eventually need a fulsome roof repair, which could cost $500,000. 

But heritage status in Ontario doesn't come with guaranteed funding, Pommainville said.

If governments are interested in preservation efforts, Pommainville said they should follow the lead of countries like France, which sets aside funds to maintain historic buildings.

"The [French] government has realized that if we want to protect our heritage, regardless of who the owner is, we basically have to invest."

Saint-Joseph d'Orléans is in "the same type of situation," said Pommainville, adding that a heritage designation there might interfere with the cemeteries on site.

Like its Hintonburg counterpart, Saint-Joseph d'Orléans is more than 100 years old. It was completed in 1922, also to replace an older, smaller building.

Church 'at the centre' of Hintonburg history

Saint-François-d'Assise has its own "internal process" when maintenance or repairs are needed, Pommainville said, and a heritage designation would force them to go through that again with the city, costing time and money.

But for HCA president Brian Innes, the designation is about ensuring the church remains for future generations.

The HCA wrote to the built heritage committee in favour of the designation, noting both the church's history and its unique architecture — which includes five bells cast in France in 1924 and statues of St. Francis of Assisi and St. Anthony. 

"Hintonburg's got a proud history of over 100 years, and this church is right at the centre of it," Innes said. "Everything else is being torn down because it's cheaper to build new than it is to fix it."

But if Saint-François-d'Assise is important to the community, Pommainville said, there should be money set aside for it. 

"If we were to go in the community and [ask for funds to repair the roof], I'm not sure that many people would be willing to put in $100, $1,000 and so on," he said.

"They want the building, but they don't want ... the responsibility that goes with it."

The decision is ultimately up to city council, which will consider the built heritage committee's recommendations for both Saint-François-d'Assise and Saint-Joseph d'Orléans at its next meeting on May 28.