Landmark church in Nova Scotia for sale

A huge, deconsecrated Roman Catholic church that has been a landmark to the Acadian community in southwestern Nova Scotia is for sale.

St. Bernard Church officially closed last summer as the number of people attending mass in the 1,300-square-metre building had fallen to about 30 to 40 individuals.

The building was listed for $250,000, with realtors noting it contains more than 8,000 blocks of granite in its construction and is among the largest churches in eastern Canada.

Suzanne Lefort, a former treasurer of the parish council, said it’s been estimated — while she was in her volunteer position — that repairs would cost more than a million dollars for the roof, water system and the 28,000-cubic-metre interior.

It remains uncertain as of Saturday what precisely will happen to a very large crucifix behind the altar, but the church’s sacred objects are not part of the sale.

Lefort said she hopes an investor purchases the building and gives it a fresh purpose that benefits the community.