Government of Canada invests in heritage infrastructure at
St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church National Historic Site of Canada

 

St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, August 3, 2010 – On behalf of the Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of the Environment and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, Mr. Ed Holder, Member of Parliament for London West, today announced that the Government of Canada will be investing in infrastructure improvements at St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church National Historic Site of Canada. St. Patrick’s represents one of the most significant examples of Gothic Revival Style in Canadian architecture and due to its large scale, serves as a landmark to the area.

“This type of investment is critical to preserving the history of the City of St. John’s and it is a very important part of ensuring that the history and fabric of these structures is maintained for all Canadians, present and future,” said Mr. Holder.

Through Parks Canada’s National Historic Sites Cost-Sharing Program, the Government of Canada will be contributing up to $200,000 to support repairs to stone masonry at St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church National Historic Site of Canada.

 “Our Government plays a leadership role in the protection of Canada’s heritage buildings and national historic sites,” said Minister Prentice. “This funding, provided through Canada’s Economic Action Plan and Parks Canada’s Cost-Sharing Program, will contribute to the preservation of the heritage values of St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church and will help to ensure its support to local economies, as well as to the fabric of national historic sites.”

“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to make improvements to the Church, and in doing so, to preserve its value as a significant example of Gothic Revival-style architecture in Canada,” said Father Wayne Dohey, Pastor of St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church.

Parks Canada’s Cost-Sharing Program, with a budget of $20 million provided in part by Canada’s Economic Action Plan, reflects the government’s desire to support job creation by providing funding for conservation of national historic sites.  This Program provides opportunities for skilled construction and conservation professionals to work on national historic sites across the country.  

 

For additional information, please see the accompanying backgrounder at www.parkscanada.gc.ca under Media Room.

 

 

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