OUR TEAM
Association Sainte-Marie héritage et développement is a citizens' committee formed to give new life to the former Sainte-Marie church, a jewel of Acadian architecture located in Church Point Nova Scotia. Incorporated in January 2025, the association has a board of directors and is supported by a local advisory committee and a committee of heritage experts who work provincially, nationally and internationally.
Our group's goal is to save this important heritage site and turn it into an economic asset for the region, the province and the country. Time is of the essence and demolition could occur as early as Summer 2025. This building is much more than a parish church. It's a historic site that symbolizes Acadian ingenuity, having already been recognized as a provincial heritage property in 2001 and listed on the Canadian Register in 2006. It's also an undervalued and under-utilized resource that could make a significant contribution to the local economy through appropriate reuse.
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Our board members
Gabrielle Bardall
Stéphanie St-Pierre
Gilles Saulnier
Eve LeBlanc
Stéphanie Maillet
Marc LeBlanc
​​Team members and volunteers
Daphnée de Lamirande : Social media and Web site support and design
Katya Kovalenko : Photography and logo design
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Members of our (ever growing) local advisory board
Natalie Robichaud, Executive director of the Société acadienne de Clare
Maryann Gauvin, president of the Société acadienne de Clare and vice-president of the Comité du musée de l’édifice Sainte-Marie
Mireille Michaud, Budget analyst, Université Sainte-Anne.
Renée Blinn, Economic Development, Employability and Innovation Officer - Clare, CDÉNÉ
Lucie LeBouthillier, president of the former committee working to save the church in Bas-Caraquette, NB
Adrien B. Comeau, president of La Société Vieille Maison Association
Gérald C. Boudreau, co-chair of the Advisory Board responsible for the nomination of Grand-Pré as a UNESCO World Heritage Site (2007 to 2012)
Paul LeBlanc, Former contractor and construction specialist
Germaine Comeau, author and active community member
Denise Comeau, painter, artist and active community member
Louanne Doucet, College professor, Université Sainte-Anne et co-founder of the Gran Fondo Baie Sainte-Marie
Lianne Comeau, teacher, CSAP
We are also in direct contact with members of the former Société héritage Sainte-Marie who have generously opened their books and offered advice and guidance.​
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Members of our heritage advisory taskforce include
Patricia Kell, Executive Director & Chris Wiebe, Manager, Heritage Policy & Government Relations, National Trust for Canada
Mathieu Dormael, President, ICOMOS Canada
Emma Lang, Executive Director, Heritage Trust of Nova Scotia
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