Photo: François Viel
Rising above the town of Alma in Quebec’s Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region, the Saint-Joseph d’Alma Church is a striking example of early 20th-century religious architecture. Built between 1907 and 1908 during a period of rapid Catholic expansion in Quebec, the church was designed by architect René-Pamphile Lemay and constructed by contractor Joseph Giroux. Its eclectic style — a hallmark of the era — reflects the ambitions of a growing community and has made it a central landmark in the spiritual and civic life of Alma for more than a century. Local craftsmanship, regional materials, and architectural ambition underscore the Saint-Joseph d’Alma Church’s importance as both a religious and cultural landmark.
Over the past four years, more than $1.4 million has been invested in restoring and stabilizing the structure. However, an estimated $550,000 in critical repairs remains before the church can safely reopen. In June 2025, the Ministère de la Culture et des Communications du Québec (Quebec Ministry of Culture and Communications) abruptly suspended all funding for the restoration and adaptive reuse of religious heritage buildings — halting the final phase of Saint-Joseph d’Alma’s reconstruction and leaving its future in jeopardy.
The church’s stalled restoration reflects a larger crisis facing Quebec’s religious built heritage. As public funding disappears and congregations continue to decline, hundreds of churches and related structures across the province are at risk of deterioration or demolition. Quebec’s exemplary legacy of taking action to preserve its rich legacy of ecclesiastical buildings hangs in the balance.
Location: Alma, QC
Endangered Places List: 2025
Status: Immediate Threat
