In Longueuil, the vast heritage buildings of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary (SNJM) will be ceded to the local community shortly. This majestic complex, located near the river, includes a large main stone building topped with a tin spire typical of religious buildings of the genre in the 19th century.e century. Two old houses stand on the edge of this set, one of which was built before the English conquest of 1760.
The value of all real estate, from a strictly financial standpoint, is set at nearly $ 50 million, according to the municipal assessment, from which, however, the value of more recent items that are not included in the budget should be subtracted. this disposal project.
” We’re aging. We are decreasing in number, ”comments Sister Denise Riel, the provincial animator of the SNJM nuns. However, there is no question for them to abandon their heritage to entrepreneurs of real estate projects. “It must remain in the community, in accordance with our mission. For us, it’s very clear, ”says Sister Riel.
A little over a hundred nuns still frequent these vast period buildings. Many live in adjoining buildings. But some haven’t lived there for a long time, like Sister Denise Riel herself. “We will definitely give up the buildings. But our intention is not to leave the place to just anyone. Community commitment is fundamental for us. We are committed to our values, to our mission. We went to community groups, especially those with collective interest projects. “
The 17,000 square meters of these stone buildings must be reconverted for the benefit of the local community environment and for the needs of the two historical societies of the region. “There are 55,000 square feet to be transformed into a social and community hub,” explains David Miljour, general manager of the Social Economy Pole in the agglomeration of Longueuil. Not to mention the space of the two heritage houses, including the Daniel-Poirier house, erected in 1749, the only one built under the French regime located near Chemin Chambly, the oldest road in Canada. A museum could be set up in these former heritage residences, believe various stakeholders, including Bruno Racine, the president of the Longueuil Historical Society. “The danger is that the leadership of the nuns will change their mind before everything is in place. He observes that the hierarchy of this community is now more on the side of the United States.
It is certain that we will give up the buildings. But our intention is not to leave the place to just anyone. Community commitment is fundamental for us. We are committed to our values, to our mission. We went to community groups, especially those with collective interest projects.
If all goes well, thinks David Miljour all the same, redevelopment plans could have taken on these places as early as 2022. “We are working for a development and occupation from 2023-2024,” he said.
The old religious buildings would eventually house around fifteen community groups as well as the activities of local historical societies, further explained to the Duty François Chevrier, director of the Association for Religious and Spiritual Tourism of Quebec.
Two centuries
The Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary have been living in Longueuil for nearly two centuries. Even if they have not yet formally ceded these places which they have occupied since 1843, an organization specializing in this type of transfer is supporting them in the procedures in progress. Caroline Freulon, from the Bâtir son quartier grouping, is coordinating this transition. It did so elsewhere, as part of other operations of this type. Mme Freulon told the Duty that it is still too early to give all the details on the future projects that are being put in place, while confirming that the nuns are now moving on to something else, for the benefit of the community. For Sister Denise Riel, the provincial animator of the nuns, the administration of such an ensemble has become much too burdensome for her shrinking community.
“We still have to wait for the new administration elected in Longueuil to manifest its intentions” in relation to this site, indicates Louise Levac, director of the Historical and Cultural Society of Marigot, involved like several other groups in the reconversion project.
A rare haven for archives
A vault for the archives, installed in the 1980s in the heart of the main building, would be the envy of many conservation centers, notes Sister Denise Riel. “Very few religious communities have a vault like this” It could soon be used for the preservation of precious documents of local historical societies as well as of the co-cathedral, located a stone’s throw away.
Louise Levac confirms the interest of the place for conservation. “We want to set up our archives there. For the moment, our archives, very rich, are in very precarious conservation conditions. People don’t realize how valuable archives are to a community. “
A delicate reconversion
The high quality of these stone buildings implies reconversion work which could prove to be important and complex. What role will public authorities play in the modalities of this secular appropriation over the next few months? No one knows yet. One thing is certain, the nuns intend to retain ownership of part of the site. Behind the grounds, more recent facilities, including health services built at the end of the 20th century.e century, must allow them to continue to go about their daily lives. The transaction concerns only the historic buildings in the foreground of the site. The imprint of these buildings on the landscape of Vieux-Longueuil is major.
“These buildings have already been restored,” specifies Audette Côté, the nuns communications manager. Some pieces retain original features and are historic. The chapel, considered a jewel, enjoys unparalleled acoustics. »It has already been restored according to the rules of the art.
From the middle of the XIXe century, this community of women devoted itself, in the religious effervescence which germinated on the remains of the revolutionary dream of 1837-1838, to a mission of education, in particular for the young girls. Music was at the heart of their teaching. The Vincent-d’Indy School of Music in Montreal is one of the main witnesses of their activities.
Much development work is however to be planned to meet the needs of the various groups expected in these places. The bill for the fittings, which is not yet determined, could quickly swell. The support from the various levels of government has not yet been specified, but the procedures are progressing.
These buildings have already been restored. Some pieces retain original features and are historical. The chapel, considered a jewel, enjoys unparalleled acoustics.
A social mission first
The Director General of the Social Economy Pole of the agglomeration of Longueuil explains that the process of cession of buildings by the nuns is primarily due to their desire to see these places extend their commitments in the future, in renewed forms. “The congregation does nothing other than with the intention of preserving the heritage, to help safeguard it, but also to help the community,” confirms Audette Côté.
About twenty nuns are still at work in heritage buildings. Most of them, very old, however, live in the background, in recent apartments built at the back of the site. The building repossession project still has several stages to go through. “It’s a long process involving around fifteen organizations,” explains David Miljour.