Lease terminated for Blackburn Hamlet chapel located in school

Saint-Claude Chapel is located at l’ecole Sainte-Marie on Innes Road. The Archdiocese of Ottawa-Gatineau said it was notified that the school board is terminating the lease to use the school for the chapel. (Google Maps)

A French Catholic chapel in Blackburn Hamlet is looking for a new home after the school board terminated its lease to use a school in the east end.

Sainte-Marie Church says the Archdiocese of Ottawa-Gatineau has been informed by the Conseil des écoles catholiques du Centre-est that it’s terminating the lease for Saint-Claude Chapel to use the space at l’ecole Sainte-Marie on Innes Road at the end of April.

“The board cited a need for space for three or four new classrooms within the chapel itself,” said the weekly bulletin for Sainte-Marie Church.

The board is terminating the lease agreement to use the school, and the chapel will close on June 30, according to the bulletin. Sainte-Marie Church told CTV News that the lease will end on April 30, and the church has until the end of June to vacate the premises.

“We are currently working with our parishioners in the Saint-Claude community to explore the possibility of finding an alternative location in Blackburn Hamlet to continue holding Sunday services,” the bulletin said.

“A feasibility study will be prepared quickly due to time constraints, and we will inform you of the results.”

Saint-Claude Chapel, part of the Sainte-Marie Church in Orleans, holds one service a week on Sundays.

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