Sherbrooke Now and Then

but this one would have to have been a pretty low fly-by for that to be the case. In the end, the most logical guess was the steeple of The Saint-jeanbaptiste Church in Fleurimont.

Today the church is in the middle of a significant renovation, but I was fortunate enough to be able to climb the central spire of the three steeples in August of this year in an effort to get the more recent photo. It is not perfect, but it is close enough for comparison, I think.

Looking at the older photo prompted, Guy Hamel, the parish representative who climbed the steeple with me, to reflect on the history of the Church and how it has changed since the time this photo was likely taken.

Hamel explained that the church is the oldest Catholic Church in Sherbrooke, and has a capacity of 1,200-1,300 people. In 1975, he shared, the average service would have seen that three-quarters full whereas now a mass draws nearer to 200.

“(The Church) had a monopoly,” the pastoral representative said, referring to the power and presence the Catholic Church once held in the province. “They abused their power, and we are paying for it today.”

Despite the drop in attendance, Hamel said the church sill fills up for concerts and community events and he argued that once the massive task of restoring the heritage building is complete, some purpose will always be found for it, even if that purpose doesn’t include regular Sunday mass.

“Once this building is up to date, they will always do something with it,” he said. “It is so beautiful.”