Église Saint-Bernardin-de-Sienne

Amidst the vibrant tapestry of Montreal, Église Saint-Bernardin-de-Sienne stands as a silent testament to time. Église Saint-Bernardin-de-Sienne was canonically erected on December 22, 1911. Its territory was detached from the parishes of La Visitation-de-la-Bienheureuse-Vierge-Marie and Saint-Léonard. Saint-Léonard parish being served by the Franciscans, a saint of the same order was chosen as patron of the new parish. The registers open on January 9, 1912. The church itself, however, wasn’t built until 1955-1956. This beautiful structure later received the highest rating from the Conseil du patrimoine religieux du Québec, a testament to its architectural and historical significance. Église Saint-Bernardin-de-Sienne’s story is intertwined with the growth of the surrounding community. The village of Saint-Michel de Laval, formed in 1912 from parts of Saint-Léonard de Port-Maurice and La Visitation du Sault-au-Récollet parishes, rapidly evolved. It became the town of Saint-Michel in 1915, then the city of Saint-Michel in 1952. Finally, in 1968, Saint-Michel was annexed to Montreal, becoming part of the vibrant metropolis we know today. Sadly, Église Saint-Bernardin-de-Sienne closed its doors in 2013 due to a declining congregation. Tragedy struck twice in 2019. First, on January 27th, an arson fire requiring 150 firefighters ravaged the building, destroying the presbytery roof. Then, another fire hit on February 14th, further damaging the structure. Despite these setbacks, there is hope that Église Saint-Bernardin-de-Sienne may one day be restored to its former glory.