Montreal parish fights to demolish derelict church that’s become a TikTok destination
A Montreal parish is taking legal action against the city to demolish the derelict St-Eusèbe-de-Verceil church, which has been overrun by urban explorers and has gained attention on TikTok.
The parish of St-Eusèbe-de-Verceil in Montreal is engaged in a legal battle with the city, seeking to demolish the church that has fallen into disrepair and become a popular site for urban explorers and TikTok influencers. This church, once a vibrant center of community life, has become a target for vandalism and neglect, leading to significant fines imposed by city authorities. The parish's dwindling congregation and lack of provincial funding for restoration efforts have left them with few options, prompting this drastic move to seek demolition rather than restoration.
Over the years, the church has suffered from repeated break-ins, leading to an unusual surge in popularity as a backdrop for social media posts, particularly on TikTok. The juxtaposition of the once-revered building against graffiti and messages like "Free Gaza" highlights the community's struggles and the deterioration of the historic structure. This predicament reflects a broader issue in Quebec, where many underused churches are seeking new purposes or facing the risk of complete disintegration.
The case of St-Eusèbe-de-Verceil also raises questions about how cities deal with historical properties that lose their functions in modern society. As communities grapple with dwindling numbers of churchgoers and the implications of maintaining such properties, the outcomes of these legal battles may set precedents for how similar cases are handled across the province. The fate of this church will likely influence local discussions about heritage preservation versus practical community needs.