Notre Dame des Canadiens
5 Salem Square
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Notre Dame des Canadiens, an architectural masterpiece, was built in 1929 using stone and cast stone trim from plans prepared by Donat Baribault, a Springfield architect. Flanked by two towers, the entry is set in a high, narrow archway trimmed with cast stone ornament. The building has elaborate tracery, balustrades, medallions and other decorative details. The interior is adorned with Roman Byzantine style decorative painting.
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In May 2008, the Roman Catholic Diocese in Worcester announced the closing of four parishes. Notre Dame des Canadians was one of the parishes closed. The Diocese is currently seeking to sell the parish to another religious denomination. In the meantime, the heat and water have been turned off, and a church official indicated that the church needs millions of dollars for repair and restoration. Because of the church’s highly visible downtown location, proximity to the CitySquare project, and lack of malignance, the fate of the magnificent structure is in jeopardy.
