We, the undersigned, call on the Government of Canada, the Province of Nova Scotia, and the Municipality of Clare to act urgently to safeguard Église Sainte-Marie in Church Point, Nova Scotia and invest in its renewal as a lasting symbol of Acadian culture.

Église Sainte-Marie is not only believed to be the tallest historic wooden church in the world — it is a powerful symbol of Acadian resilience, built by 1,500 volunteers between 1903 and 1905. Its striking design, blending French ecclesiastical architecture with local shipbuilding expertise, reflects a rare fusion of artistry, engineering, and cultural identity.

Despite its structural integrity and its deep historical and cultural value, the church now faces imminent demolition. In 2023, it was desacralized, and a demolition tender was issued in 2024. The Archdiocese of Halifax-Yarmouth is now seeking to remove its only remaining heritage protection.

In response, the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) has issued a Heritage Alert—one of the strongest global warnings in the field of cultural preservation.

We, as concerned global citizens, join Association Sainte-Marie Héritage et Développement, a community organization dedicated to saving the church and transforming it into a living museum, in calling for urgent action from all levels of government. Together, we echo ICOMOS’s call for immediate action to:

• Reject any request to deregister Sainte-Marie as a provincial heritage site;
• Immediately halt demolition plans;
• Implement emergency repairs to prevent further structural deterioration;
• Collaboratively develop a heritage conservation and management plan;
• Ensure sustainable funding for the long-term preservation of Sainte-Marie;
• Secure national heritage recognition through Parks Canada;
• Incorporate Sainte-Marie into provincial and municipal tourism development and rural economic revitalization plans.

Église Sainte-Marie is a singular and irreplaceable example of Acadian heritage, and its loss would be a tragic blow to the cultural fabric of Canada and the world.

We urge all levels of government to act without delay. The international community is watching. Let Sainte-Marie stand as a beacon of resilience and not as a monument to neglect.