Fire causes major damage to 182-year-old church west of Montreal
A priest says she will rebuild a 182-year-old church near Montreal after it was seriously damaged in a fire over the weekend.
At around 9 a.m. on Sunday, Rev. Sophie Rolland was preparing for a mass at the St. James Anglican Church, on the shores of the Lake of Two Mountains, when she smelled smoke.
Firefighters from several departments were called to the scene on Sunday morning as flames broke out in the structure on Main Street in the municipality west of Montreal.
St. James Anglican Church in Hudson, Que. suffered a major fire on April 14, 2024. (Emanuel Lapointe)
The fire spread to the roof, which was gone on Monday. The bell tower, stone walls and stained glass windows remained intact but there was significant water and smoke damage inside.
It was an emotional day for residents of Hudson, a city about 50 kilometres west of Montreal.
Many stood in disbelief looking at what's left of the church, which was built in 1842.
"I just cannot believe the destruction that's been done," said Hudson resident Kip Caudrey.
A fire destroyed much of the historic St. James Anglican Church in Hudson, Que. on April 14, 2024. (Cosmo Santamaria, CTV News)
Hudson's mayor, Chloe Hutchison, shared a personal connection to the beloved building.
"The first reverend of St. James Church was my three times great grandfather. So for us, I think it has always been a place of pride and a place of commitment to the community," Hutchison told CTV News.
The church leadership is hoping to save irreplaceable items, including a wall of photos.
Rolland said the church is insured, but they don't know when they will rebuild.
"The hall and the basement offices were not as affected. So we're hoping that they can be in use earlier than the rest of the church," she said.
Firefighters remained on the scene well into Sunday night.
'It touches everybody'
The loss to the community is immense.
"This church is so important. First of course to our parishioners, but it touches so many in our community," said parishioner Lynn Bookalam on Sunday. "We have Christmas bazaars and people come here, and we have groups that rent our facilities... It touches so many people."
Bookalam said it is a popular spot for weddings, and different acts book the spot for performances as well.
"People who don't necessarily come every Sunday are a part of our church," said Bookalam. "It touches everybody."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
From AI running wild to collapsing ecosystems, government report outlines future disruptions
From artificial intelligence running wild to collapsing ecosystems, a new Canadian government report outlines 35 disruptions that could rattle the country in the near future.
B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton hospitalized after prison attack
British Columbia serial killer Robert Pickton was attacked and sustained life-threatening injuries in a Quebec prison Sunday in what officials described as a 'major assault.'
opinion Tom Mulcair: With Trudeau spiralling, Mark Carney waits in the wings
In his latest column for CTVNews.ca, former NDP leader Tom Mulcair argues that if there's an unofficial frontrunner in the eventual race to replace Justin Trudeau as Liberal leader, it has to be former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney.
Toronto Blue Jays fan struck by 110 m.p.h foul ball offered tickets, signed baseball by team
The Toronto Blue Jays have offered tickets and a signed baseball to a fan who says she was struck in the face by a 110 m.p.h (177 km/h) foul ball at Friday’s game.
Matthew Perry's death is being investigated over ketamine level found in actor's blood, reports say
An investigation has been opened into the death of Matthew Perry and how the “Friends” actor received the anesthetic ketamine, which was ruled a contributing factor in his death.
OPP continues to investigate boat collision north of Kingston, Ont. that left 3 people dead
Ontario Provincial Police continue to investigate a long weekend fatal boat collision on Bobs Lake, north of Kingston, Ont.
Police in Ontario say suspects charged in armed home invasion near Toronto part of 'larger criminal network'
Police in Ontario say a group of suspects charged in an armed home invasion north of Toronto last year were driving a vehicle stolen in a carjacking in Calgary just one month earlier.
Stolen septic truck swerves through traffic, spike belt needed to stop it: Manitoba RCMP
A 29-year-old woman has been charged after police say she stole a septic truck from a Manitoba community and drove erratically on the highway.
Orphan orca's extended family spotted off northeast side of Vancouver Island
Members of a killer whale pod related to an orphan orca calf that escaped a remote British Columbia tidal lagoon last month have been spotted off the northeast coast of Vancouver Island.