CORNWALL, Ontario – A structural “problem” with the choir loft at Nativity Co-Cathedral has temporarily resulted in the closure of the venerable house of worship.
The Diocese of Alexandria-Cornwall released a statement Monday afternoon detailing the closure of the church, which means the cancellation of Christmas and New Year’s masses as well.
“The parish has granted a contract to a professional engineering consulting firm to investigate the situation fully and recommend remedial action,” read the statement from the diocese. “They will begin their assessment the first week of January. This action is being taken to ensure the safety of the public. The Co-Cathedral will reopen as soon as any required corrective measures can be implemented.”
In an interview diocese chancellor Kimberly Walsh said the choir loft is in need of some bracing to guard against failure.
“There’s no imminent danger,” she said. “It’s just a recent issue.”
The facility dates back to 1887 and Walsh said the organ was installed in 1914.
Christmas and New Year’s Masses will be as follows:
The Mass on Christmas Eve will be celebrated at St-Félix-de-Valois Church at 7:30 pm, Bishop Marcel Damphousse will preside. There will be a single Mass on Christmas day for the three French east end parishes at St-Félix-de-Valois Church at 10:30 am. There will be a single Mass on New Year’s Eve for the three French east end parishes at St-Félix-de-Valois at 5:00 pm, Bishop Marcel will preside. There will be a single Mass on New Year’s Day for the three French east end parishes at Ste-Croix Chuch at 10:30 am.
