Destroyed by fire in 1926, the church was rebuilt and became the first church in Canada equipped with automatic sprinklers. Together with the Sainte-Émilie convent (1902), Saint-Clément school, and the presbytery (1907), it forms the oldest still-visible ensemble in Maisonneuve today. The church, located in the exceptionally valuable heritage sector of the former city of Maisonneuve, is recognized as a building of exceptional heritage value by the City of Montreal. The site of Saint-Clément Church and its presbytery also stands as a strong testament to the founding of Viauville, a model-town project developed by a prominent late-19th-century Montreal businessman, Charles-Théodore Viau.
Regular mass has not been held there since 2009, and the last mass was celebrated in 2019. For a few years, the basement was used for recreational activities, including wrestling, and the presbytery was occupied by an organization working with people living with addictions. Water infiltration eventually brought these uses to an end.
In recent years, both the church and its presbytery have been completely vacant, and all services (sprinklers, heating) have been shut off.
Saint-Clément Church remains a powerful symbol of identity for part of the local community. Residents of the neighborhood have been involved in various projects to repurpose the church and its presbytery.
An initial residential cooperative project was launched but rejected by the Couillard government.
In 2022, a new project emerged for Saint-Clément Church: Station Viauville. Heritage Montreal is supporting HocheLab, a citizen group from the neighborhood, which is leading a revitalization project based on several pillars: community, food, sports, spirituality, and heritage.
In August 2025, Hochelab announced that the Viauville Station project would not go forward, following a disagreement between the group and the parish corporation of Saint-Nom-de-Jésus. Since 2022, Hochelab had been attempting to acquire Saint-Clément Church, but the parish corporation ultimately accepted another offer. Nevertheless, Hochelab remains active in Montréal, having developed a partnership with the Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie borough for a social economy project aimed at acquiring commercial spaces to protect them from real estate speculation.
Timeline of the Site
1884–1886: Acquisition of large tracts of farmland in the area by Charles-Théodore Viau
1892: Land ceded to the City of Maisonneuve for the layout of this portion of Adam Street and surrounding streets
1899–1902: Construction of the original church building based on plans by architect Joseph Venne
1913: Enlargement according to plans by architects Joseph Venne and Louis Labelle
1923: Installation of a Casavant organ
1924: Full development of lots surrounding the church
1926: Fire and installation of a sprinkler system
1927: Blessing of the Sacred Heart monument outside the church
1929–1930: Completion of the interior decor based on plans by architect Joseph Sawyer
1961–1963: Installation of stained glass windows crafted by master glassmaker Guido Nincheri
1964–1967: Renovation of the chancel in accordance with Vatican II reforms
1983–1984: Painting work, with colors selected by architect Michel-Ange Panzini
1985: Restoration of the organ
2009: Closure of the church for worship
Designers
Original building: Joseph Venne, architect
Enlargement: Joseph Venne and Louis Labelle, architects
Interior decor: Joseph Sawyer, architect
Current color scheme: Michel-Ange Panzini, architect
Stained glass windows: Guido Nincheri, master glassmaker
