Demolition work begins at former Halifax church

The former Saint Theresa’s Church in Halifax is pictured. (Source: Google Maps)

Demolition work is underway at the former St. Theresa’s Church in Halifax as the Archdiocese of Halifax-Yarmouth hopes to turn the site into an affordable housing complex in the coming years.

Project manager John Stevens said crews started the demolition work at the North Street site earlier this fall and they plan to be done by the end of the year.

“There were a number of exterior issues and interior issues as well,” Stevens said. “The safest course of action was to bring it down.”

The archdiocese permanently shut down St. Theresa’s and Saint Patrick’s Church on Brunswick Street in May 2024, citing structural, attendance and financial problems.

St. Theresa’s had been closed to the public since October 2023 due to high levels of mould in the building.

Stevens said they hope to make the site of the former St. Theresa’s into affordable housing with a mix of unit types for families and seniors. The proposed building would be six floors high and have 34 units.

Stevens noted their project timeline is dependent on approval from the municipality, but they’re hopeful to get started by 2027.

Stevens also said the altar at St. Theresa’s will go to another parish and other key items from the church will be saved.

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