Facing financial difficulties and unable to afford the necessary maintenance and restorations, the congregation announced in May 2019 that it was putting the property up for sale. The church was purchased by the company Sajo, has stood vacant since June, and is under threat of demolition. The Town of Mont-Royal has expressed no wish or willingness to save the church from the wrecking ball.

In spite of this, in the case of St. Peter’s Anglican, as with all other places of worship in the town, the requirement to protect the building’s architectural integrity is clearly stated in Bylaw 1317-15. Town of Mount Royal has listed the building among its heritage properties to be protected, but has taken no action in that regard. Furthermore, the church was listed as a “property of exceptional heritage value” in a 2005 study conducted by the Service de la mise en valeur du territoire et du patrimoine of the City of Montreal’s Direction du développement urbain.

This building, near and dear to residents, is likely to be replaced by a condo complex or some other building with a purpose and function that would tarnish an important part of Town of Mount Royal’s urban and architectural history. We call upon the town’s citizens and residents to take action at every possible level to ensure the protection of this unique structure, and the oasis of greenery surrounding it, which is also under threat.