Uplifted hearts at St. Finnan’s Basilica

Father Steven Gaudet, Pastor of St. Finnan Basilica, welcomed the community that gathered for the official opening of the elevator lift and outdoor accessibility ramp at the 141-year-old Alexandria church.

Father Steven Gaudet, Pastor of St. Finnan Basilica, welcomed the community that gathered for the official opening of the elevator lift and outdoor accessibility ramp at the 141-year-old Alexandria church. Guest of honour Jean Kealty, who will celebrate her 100th birthday July 20, cut the ribbon and was the first person to use the elevator. She has been a member of the Catholic Women’s League of St. Finnan’s for over 60 years.

To accommodate the new lift, an extension that reflects and complements the Basilica’s architecture was added, along with an accessibility ramp. To date, St. Finnan’s Parish has raised $190,000 towards the Lift Up Your Hearts project. The fundraising campaign continues with its original goal to raise $250,000 towards the $700,000 cost that has been mostly funded through the church’s capital reserves.

St. Finnan’s is one of only 27 basilicas in Canada, recognized for its historical significance. The church was built in 1885 at a cost of $35,000. Parishioners would carry those with limited mobility up the stairs to the basilica.

To this day, the landmark’s steeple continues to tower over the town.