A massive fire destroyed the historic Notre-Dame-des-Sept-Allégresses Church

A massive fire destroyed the historic Notre-Dame-des-Sept-Allégresses Church in Trois-Rivières, Canada. The fire, which broke out on October 3, 2024, caused significant damage, including the collapse of one of the church’s two bell towers. The blaze spread rapidly, exacerbated by the age and wooden structure of the building. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported, but over 2,000 people in the area lost power during the event​.

This incident is part of a broader trend of nearly 100 church burnings across Canada in recent years, which some link to tensions over the country’s colonial history, particularly the involvement of the church in indigenous residential schools. These churches have become targets amidst the growing scrutiny of past injustices committed against indigenous peoples.