Repurposed Churches: Changes to Montreal's Religious Heritage
A project by Shannon
Coulter-Low and Jacqueline Neubert
Using a mixture of mapping, photographic and textual information this project attempts to convey the scale of church deconsecration and transformation in Montreal and the importance that this has had on the city’s religious landscape. In its physical form, the project was displayed with a short ‘survey’ on which viewers could mark their suggestions for repurposed churches. Let us know what you think in the comments section.
The religious landscape of Montreal is changing. Churches are being repurposed to fit the shifting needs of a Montreal population. In a movement that has been gaining momentum since the 1950s, deconsecrated spaces are being put to new uses, reflecting how for many people, organized religions are no longer at the forefront of the city’s social and community activity. Often, converted churches become the home base for community outreach programs or art venues. Church teams must work within strict frameworks, as they will face barriers such as insufficient funds, strict heritage bylaws and public awareness about these issues. So churches are being sold privately as well, to be transformed into condominiums, spas and gyms. Montrealers love and appreciate the rich heritage of their city, but many no longer hold the same relationships to religious buildings that previous generations did. This raises the question: how far should one go in preserving religious structures? How important is this religious component of our heritage? How do we perceive Montreal’s numerous churches and how much do we know about what happens behind those stone facades? The stained glass face of Montreal’s religious heritage is transitioning, and now is the time to decide what this means for the city, and what to do about it.
Using a mixture of mapping, photographic and textual information this project attempts to convey the scale of church deconsecration and transformation in Montreal and the importance that this has had on the city’s religious landscape. In its physical form, the project was displayed with a short ‘survey’ on which viewers could mark their suggestions for repurposed churches. Let us know what you think in the comments section.
The religious landscape of Montreal is changing. Churches are being repurposed to fit the shifting needs of a Montreal population. In a movement that has been gaining momentum since the 1950s, deconsecrated spaces are being put to new uses, reflecting how for many people, organized religions are no longer at the forefront of the city’s social and community activity. Often, converted churches become the home base for community outreach programs or art venues. Church teams must work within strict frameworks, as they will face barriers such as insufficient funds, strict heritage bylaws and public awareness about these issues. So churches are being sold privately as well, to be transformed into condominiums, spas and gyms. Montrealers love and appreciate the rich heritage of their city, but many no longer hold the same relationships to religious buildings that previous generations did. This raises the question: how far should one go in preserving religious structures? How important is this religious component of our heritage? How do we perceive Montreal’s numerous churches and how much do we know about what happens behind those stone facades? The stained glass face of Montreal’s religious heritage is transitioning, and now is the time to decide what this means for the city, and what to do about it.
Part One: Mapping Montreal
Part Two: From the Experts
"I was one of those that attended private school. I was raised by nuns. I value very highly private, religiously controlled education because they gave me values. They gave me direction and I’ll never forget that.”
-Louis-Philippe Belle Isle, retired professor at Vanier College
“I don’t think anyone notices. I don’t think anyone realizes the extent of the architectural heritage that’s around them. It takes me doing a half hour presentation in class and then [the students] realize how much history there is in this place”
-Mathieu Sossoyan, professor at Vanier College
"[The repurposing of churches] is a refreshing solution to the elephant in the room of decommissioned, unprogrammed church structures often left stagnating in the neighbourhoods across the country"
.-Thomas Balaban, architect of the St. Jude Spa and Gym
“People’s reactions are all over the place especially when it comes to the confusion between cultural heritage, religious heritage, French, English, identity and everything that is mixed in…”
–Samir Admo, Urban Planner and Professor at UQAM.
“People’s ideas of heritage are very diverse; you have the people who were married there, were baptized there, who went to the school behind the church, but you also have the people that see the church from their window and its part of their landscape.”
–Samir Admo
“We have to accept that we are going to have to lose a few [churches] to keep a few… if we convert them into community uses then we are actually maintaining the historic mission of the church. We’re there to modernize the church towards whatever community or cultural group can take it over.”
-Samir Admo
Part Three: Before and After
Your comments are appreciated!
Take a look at the questions below for some inspiration.
- What do you think about these solutions to preserving heritage buildings
- Which building is your favourite?
- Would you rather see a church become a community oriented or privatized space? Any specific suggestions?
- Does the repurposing of churches reflect the city's loosening morals?
- Given the decrease in Church attendance, do you think people are noticing this physical shift taking place around them?
- Respond to the quotes above: do you agree or disagree?