Nova Scotia non-profit groups trying to save Acadian church now facing lawsuit

The Roman Catholic Church in southwestern Nova Scotia is embroiled in a legal battle with two Acadian groups over the fate of a historic church in St. Bernard, N.S. The Roman Catholic Episcopal Corporation of Yarmouth has filed a lawsuit against Heritage Saint Bernard and Nation Prospère Acadie Inc. for falling behind on their mortgage payments for the former Saint Bernard Church.

The massive church, a landmark along the Acadian shore, has a rich history dating back to its construction in 1910 under the leadership of Rev. Edouard LeBlanc. The church, which opened in 1942 after local workmen spent three decades assembling it from 8,000 granite blocks, has stood as a symbol of the Acadian community in the region. However, dwindling attendance led to its closure in 2022.

The surrounding parish in the Municipality of Clare now consists of about 250 people, a stark contrast to the church’s capacity of seating over 1,000 worshippers. Despite efforts by Heritage Saint Bernard and Nation Prospère Acadie Inc. to save the building, financial challenges have hindered their progress. The groups managed to make their initial $50,000 mortgage payment in July 2023 but fell short on subsequent instalments.

Heritage Saint Bernard President Jean LeBlanc expressed frustration with the diocese’s actions, stating that efforts to repurpose the church for the community were being thwarted. The groups had raised funds for repairs to the building’s doors and leaking roof, depleting their resources. Despite attempts to renegotiate the mortgage terms with Archbishop Brian Joseph Dunn, the lawsuit was filed in October.

The archdiocese has received numerous offers for the property, valued at $250,000, but chose the non-profits as the winning bidder to preserve the building’s historic and cultural significance to the Acadian people. The decision was made in consultation with the local parish, which would benefit from the sale proceeds. However, the failure to make payments led to legal action.

LeBlanc and the groups are seeking more time or favorable terms to settle the dispute without resorting to a lengthy and costly court battle. Finding a lawyer to represent them in negotiations is the next step as they hope to reach a resolution. The community remains hopeful that a compromise can be reached to save the iconic church from an uncertain fate.

In conclusion, the legal dispute over the Saint Bernard Church highlights the challenges of preserving historic landmarks and the complexities of balancing financial concerns with cultural heritage. The outcome of the lawsuit will have significant implications for the future of the church and the community it has served for generations.