Montreal intends to acquire the Sainte-Bibiane church and its presbytery in Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie to give them a social and community vocation. The city has made a $2.5 million commitment to purchase the two buildings.
The Sainte-Bibiane church, closed since October 2022, has been put up for sale by the Catholic Archbishop of Montreal and the Fabrique de la Parish Saint-Esprit-de-Rosemont, which owns it.
On December 20, the city's executive committee approved a commitment to purchase $2.5 million for the two buildings. The city administration cites the increased need for social and community services as well as the lack of space since the COVID-19 pandemic as justification for its approach.
Before closing a transaction, the city conducts due diligence on the condition of the buildings. Once the transaction is complete, the company intends to lease the space to a community organization based on the needs of the community. Without elaborating on the type of services offered there, she mentions that they are aimed at “helping vulnerable people”. “Given the scarcity of available sites, this measure will allow the city to secure the site for the implementation of a project that will be developed in consultation with all stakeholders in the sector. It is important that this possible project meets the needs sought by the partners,” said Guillaume Rivest, public relations officer for the city, via email.
According to building management and construction planning, significant investments are required to ensure the good condition of the buildings. He mentions an investment of $200,000 in the first year and a total of $2.5 million over 10 years.
Could the church and its presbytery accommodate homeless people? According to the city, it is still too early to determine the exact purpose of the buildings, especially since no agreement has yet been reached with a municipal organization.
A worried tenant
Located at 5600 12e Avenue – although its main entrance faces Boulevard Saint-Michel at the corner of Dandurand Street – the Sainte-Bibiane church was built in 1955 by architects Labelle and Goyer. According to the Quebec Inventory of Places of Worship, the building is of relatively low conservation status.
The rectory currently has four tenants, but the two commercial leases and the two residential leases could be terminated as a result of the transaction. The tenants of the rectory have already been informed that the building is for sale and that the city would like to purchase it. The church, for its part, is uninhabited.
One of the tenants, Maison d'Hérelle, greets this possible transaction with disappointment. The non-profit organization, which houses people with HIV/AIDS, has been renting part of the rectory since July last year with the aim of welcoming newly arrived HIV-positive people. However, he still couldn't complete his project because he hadn't received the necessary permits from the Montreal Fire Department.
The general director of Maison d'Hérelle, Michèle Blanchard, states that her organization is aware of the city's intentions, but criticizes the city's lack of transparency on the matter. “There is radio silence from elected officials or the district [de Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie], claims Ms. Blanchard. Nobody talks to us. I find that most unfortunate. Yet we are on the same missions. I'm just a renter, but I would have happily stayed for a year [dans le presbytère], while the city organizes itself to carry out its project. »
La Maison d'Hérelle even considered making a bid to purchase the church and its presbytery in collaboration with a cultural organization, but was unable to do so within the time required to compete with the city. According to Ms. Blanchard, the Sainte-Bibiane church and its presbytery are in good condition, unlike other places of worship in Montreal.
Only the rental agreement with the telecommunications company Telus, which amounts to just under $14,000 per year and is valid until 2030, will remain in place if the city buys the buildings.