The sale of the historic Basilica of St. John the Baptist and associated property in downtown St. John’s has been finalized.
The successful buyer, the Basilica Heritage Foundation, is calling it a “new beginning” for the church, which is more than 160 years old.
The estimated sale price was just over $3 million.
Foundation chair Anne Walsh says the process to purchase the Basilica and St. Bon’s property began in 2022, adding the last two years have been spent working through the administrative, legal and logistical work required to take ownership.
St. Bon’s (Photo: Annaay Antony)
The foundation is now responsible for all costs associated with repairs, preservation and operations of the property.
Walsh says while the Basilica will remain a place of worship, the foundation plans to open its doors to the wider community.
She says the idea is to make the space more accessible to various arts, culture and community groups, as well as tourists.
It will also be available to rent for performances, conferences and other events.
The Basilica complex was one of numerous properties sold off by the Roman Catholic Episcopal Corporation of St. John’s to compensate victims of sex abuse at the hands of Christian Brothers.
