A commitment inspired by Christ’s example
Following the example of Jesus Christ, who devoted much of his life to supporting those most in need, this project is rooted in Christian faith and solidarity. By meeting people’s basic needs, it aims to welcome individuals and families back into the church while offering practical support tailored to their circumstances.
Transforming sacred space into a community beacon
The project aims to transform the traditional church space into an innovative community centre, bringing together historical memory and practical support for residents — to build a compassionate, inclusive and hopeful future, with the church at the heart of this renewal.
Heritage preservation
The church’s historic façade is preserved, a vivid reminder of its roots in the neighbourhood. Tradition and modernity come together in service to the community.
Social innovation
A vibrant centre that responds to today’s challenges: mutual support, inclusion, health, education and culture — every day, for everyone.
Financial self-sufficiency
A sustainable economic model combining housing, professional spaces and rental income to ensure the project’s long-term future.
The torch we carry
The builders
Our great-grandparents laid the first stones. They built these churches with unwavering faith, brick by brick, decade after decade.
The faithful
Their children grew up here, were married here and buried their parents here. The church was the centre of social and spiritual life.
The guardians
Despite the upheaval of Quebec’s Quiet Revolution, families and communities continued to preserve these places with love and determination.
Us — The responsible heirs
It is now our turn to decide. Not to destroy or sell off, but to transform with respect — preserving the sacred while serving the living.
What our ancestors built with faith
“They worked with their hands, saved from their modest wages and prayed with all their hearts to build these neighbourhood cathedrals. It was more than stone and mortar. It was an offering to God.”
Quebec’s ancestral tradition shaped hundreds of churches across the province. Each is the result of immense sacrifice, deep collective faith and a promise passed from one generation to the next. Honouring this tradition means honouring our roots.
These walls have been consecrated
Consecration
A church is no ordinary building. It has been blessed, consecrated and set apart from the secular world for sacred use. This status does not disappear with the passing years.
Enduring sacredness
Even when Mass is no longer celebrated, the calling of a consecrated space remains. Turning it into a secular place carries profound spiritual and cultural consequences.
A heritage of faith
These buildings belong to Quebec’s collective history. They are the heritage of an entire Christian civilization that shaped our identity.
Nine purposes, one shared home
Under one heritage roof, Racines & Héritage brings together the sacred and the everyday: a living place of worship surrounded by services that nourish, support and unite the whole community.
Christian place of worship
A bright, welcoming space for reflection, prayer and weekly family worship. The spiritual heart of the project.
Community centre
Multipurpose rooms for educational, sports, cultural and social activities, open to local organizations and residents.
Youth centre
A safe space for teenagers: recreation, creative workshops, homework support and mentoring from dedicated youth workers.
Women’s centre
A confidential shelter offering accommodation, psychosocial support, legal resources and empowerment workshops.
Community daycare
A stimulating, caring environment open to all, nurturing Christian values and a sense of belonging from early childhood.
Business centre
Modern offices, conference rooms and collaborative spaces available to rent for professionals, entrepreneurs and local organizations.
Housing & condominiums
Affordable rental units and condominiums for sale, supporting the project’s financial viability and access to housing.
Reception halls
An ideal setting for weddings, family celebrations, conferences and professional meetings, strengthening the neighbourhood’s social fabric.
Health clinic
Occasional or regular services provided by nurses, social workers, nutritionists and other health professionals.
Kitchens serving the community
Two kitchen spaces make it possible to prepare community meals for people facing hardship.
- Collective kitchens — families cooking together to reduce costs and break isolation.
- Meals on Wheels — hot meals delivered to seniors and people with reduced mobility in the neighbourhood.
- Weekly community meals — a shared table open to everyone, without distinction.
- Food bank & emergency assistance — dignified, discreet support for households in need.
- Cooking workshops for youth — passing on skills, independence and the joy of sharing.
- Social-purpose catering — receptions whose profits fund meals for those most in need.
Personalized support
Spiritual care workers offer ongoing local support, active listening, psychosocial assistance and referrals to specialized resources.
Initiatives to inspire and enrich
Sharing library & digital workshops
Free loans of books, tools, tablets and computers. Digital literacy support for all ages.
Intergenerational community café
A welcoming meeting place for dialogue between generations: coffee chats, board games and themed evenings.
Community arts & culture program
Collaborative murals, exhibitions, art therapy workshops and performances that showcase local talent and foster inclusion.
Heritage & discovery trail
A trail with interpretive panels telling the story of the church, the neighbourhood and its residents — fostering pride and belonging.
A beacon of mutual support, social innovation and spirituality
This economic and spiritual driving force strengthens intergenerational ties, breaks isolation and restores hope for those most in need. By inviting families back to a place of worship each week, it nurtures a sense of belonging and civic engagement.
“The church carries the traces of its history while remaining attentive to tomorrow’s challenges. This dual perspective — remembrance and looking ahead — shapes its identity and its actions.”
A financial model that is sound and inclusive
Rooted in memory and guided by a forward-looking vision, this innovative community centre serves as a catalyst for social and human transformation. Inclusive, inspiring and caring, it sustains the church’s enduring calling to help others.
Condominium sales
Generating essential cash flow for the project’s development and initial financing.
Monthly rental income
Rental housing provides stable income to support the entire project over the long term.
Professional space rentals
Offices, conference rooms and collaborative spaces available for short-, medium- and long-term rental.
Event space rentals
Weddings, conferences and meetings: an additional source of income at the heart of the community.
The question no one dares to ask
These churches were financed by the donations and sacrifices of the faithful — ordinary families who gave from what little they had to build something great. Legally, they belong to the Diocese. But morally, spiritually and historically, they belong to the people who built them, generation after generation.
Racines & Héritage
ContactLet us carry the torch, together
Are you a resident, a member of the clergy, a partner or a benefactor? Write to us. Every alliance begins with a conversation.