Description of Historic Place

Former Sainte-Thérèse Church is a one-and-a-half storey wooden structure located on Acadie Avenue, at the corner of Sainte-Thérèse Street and Acadie Avenue in Dieppe.

Heritage Value

Former Sainte-Thérèse Church is designated a Local Historic Place for its role in the spiritual life of Acadians at Léger Corner, now the centre of the City of Dieppe. It is also recognized for its later use by the community.

Former Sainte-Thérèse Church is recognized for being a representation of the importance of the Catholic Church in the early days of the community of Léger Corner. In 1930, the Sainte-Thérèse parish broke away from the parish of Saint-Anselme, and under the direction of contractor Ephrem LeBlanc of Memramcook, the workers built the parish’s first church, made of wood. Built on a hill, the church was, for a long time, the most imposing building in the village of Léger Corner.

Former Sainte-Thérèse Church took on a new function in 1950 after the new stone church opened. Around 1952, it was converted into a bowling alley owned by Alphée LeBlanc and later into a community hall for the seniors’ club. The bell tower was removed and the windows were modified when the building’s function changed.

Source: Dieppe City Hall, Historic Places file D10

Character-Defining Elements

The character-defining elements that describe Former Sainte-Thérèse Church include:
- its prominent location on a hill;
- part of its interior finish;
- shape and structure of the building, reflecting the original dimensions of the church.