Manoir Lonergan

In November 2008, En marge 12-17 found out that it would be possible to aquire the former presbytery of the Sainte-Brigide-de-Kilidare parish and run its activities there.  In March 2009, with the generous help of Groupe CDH and the architectural firm Beaupré et Michaud, the necessary funding requests to complete the purchase and renovation of the presbytery were sent (through the Homelessness Partnering Strategy of the federal government and the housing assistance and PAHM programs of the city of Montreal).  The preliminary steps to obtain funding have been complete, and En Marge 12-17 hopes to be established in the presbytery by autumn 2010.

Aquiring the presbytery, which will be called the Lonergan Manor, En marge 12-17 will be able to run all its activities under the same roof, and remain in the Ville-Marie borough.  The basement will be used for the Vitr'art program, and the ground floor will be used for youth in our shelter.  The second floor will be used for the Parents' program (training, parents' groups, and mediation) as well as offices for the director and the street outreach worker.  The third floor will be used for five apartments for youth.  In this way, by allowing particularly vulnerable youth access to affordable housing, and support adapted to their needs for a prolonged period, En marge 12-17 hopes to improve their living conditions and encourage development of increased autonomy.

The project to aquire the presbytery was made possible thanks to the work of the Ste-Brigide Community Centre.  Created in March 2006, this non-profit organization began due to the efforts of a working group initiated by the parish council.  This group, founded in autumn 2005, planned the future of the Sainte-Brigide-de-Kildare church and its surrounding buildings.  In January 2006, its first report recommended using these to develop a community space.

Several steps have been undertaken since that period.  The support of the Quebec Religious Heritage Foundation allowed the parish council to explore the architectural component of their plan.  Thanks to the financial support of the Centre-Sud / Plateau Mont-Royal Community Economic Development Corporation, a study of the needs for a community space was undertaken by the Groupe CDH and Convercité.  As well, Luc Noppen, director of the Canada Research Chair in Urban Heritage at UQAM, studied the architectural beauties of the church, which include the bell tower, still one of the most majestic in Montreal, and of course the presbytery.