St. Alphonsus Church deal inked with diocese for stone church purchase

The For Sale sign is down at a famous stone church in Cape Breton.

St. Alphonsus Church in Victoria Mines, also known as the stone church, closed eight years ago and was slated for demolition.

It took several months, but the Stone Church Restoration Society has inked a deal with the Diocese of Antigonish for the purchase of St. Alphonsus.

The diocese agreed to hold off the wrecking ball to give the group of former parishioners time to develop a business plan and make an offer for the building.

"We're just waiting for the diocese now that has to draw up the purchase and sale agreement, as well as do the land subdivision because there are two graveyards that are located near the property," said Melanie Sampson, a spokesperson for the Stone Church Restoration Society.

Sampson said they're grateful to the diocese, especially because the society doesn't have the $40,000 to purchase the church.

"They're going to let us make instalment payments on it," she said.

Sampson said they've put down a $7,000 down payment and are launching a series of fundraisers to cover the rest.

She said the ongoing story about the stone church has drawn attention from around the world and they're looking forward to developing the site as a major tourist attraction and non-denominational wedding chapel.