Catholics delay decision on future of Vanier church

Ottawa's Roman Catholic Archdiocese will wait for a City of Ottawa decision on the heritage status of the St. Charles Church, a century old building in Vanier, before announcing its intentions for the church.

The St. Charles church was plagued for years by declining attendance and for the last three years, the building has been vacant. But it still costs the Catholic archdiocese $25,000 per year to maintain the building.

The archdiocese could sell the church, which in turn could be torn down in favour of redevelopment. The community is trying to preserve the building, though, by submitting a heritage application.

Vanier resident Mike Steinhauertoured the inside of the church three weeks ago, which motivatedhim to write up the application.

"This was the centre of the neighbourhood, which was called Clarkstown, so this has been part of the fabric as long as anyone remembers," said Steinhauer.

Pillar of Vanier's Francophone history

Built in 1908 and home to the Order of Jacques Cartier, a French speaking 'secret-society,' the church and grounds are seen as a pillar of Vanier's Francophone history.Dozens of people, including former parishioners, have spoken out at community meetings about their desire to preserve the church and the grounds.

Mike Builthuis, president of the Vanier Community Association, said the structure deserves preservation.

"While on paper the church legally owns the property and can decide on it's future, I think they owe it to the community to be part of that conversation," said Builthuis.

He said there's been some dialogue with the archdiocese, but nothing substantial andhe hopes the heritage application slows any process of a sale.

The city has received the request for a heritage designation but it has yet to make a decision.The city has not said when it will make its decision in regards to the heritage designation or the intentions of the archdiocese.

Many players involved

If thecity announces heritage designation,the archdiocese could also appeal.

Steinhauer said the fight for preservation is even more important because the area is such a "hot bed" of development.

"Moving the steeple and turning it into the facade of a condo tower, you're losing everything we're trying to protect," said Steinhauer.

The community association said it would propose some possible uses for the land in September.