N.S. church wins $50,000 prize from Canada’s Next Great Save 24.04.2026

The Ancienne Église Sainte-Marie in Church Point, Nova Scotia, has been awarded the $50,000 grand prize in Canada's Next Great Save competition for its crucial restoration efforts. This historic church, established in 1905 and believed to be the largest wooden church in North America, was selected from 12 finalists nationwide. The winnings will specifically fund the restoration of its steeple and the repair of its bells' chimes. The Association Sainte-Marie héritage et développement, a group formed in late 2024 to advocate for the church, celebrated this achievement, which also saw another Nova Scotian site, Trinity Anglican Church in Digby, among the finalists. The church's heritage designation, secured last fall under the Nova Scotia Heritage Property Act, had previously protected it from demolition.




















