Untaxed parking fees for downtown church
St Patrick’s church, right downtown, was raking in $300,000 a year on parking fees from its space facing Lagauchetière.
Challenged by the city to pay property tax on that space, the church took the issue to Superior Court, where the ruling went in its favour. But now that HEC is putting up a huge building in that area, the church won’t be renting out parking any more.
(A curious point about that church – the main front door faces south onto the parking lot, but is never used. It’s the back of the church that faces René-Lévesque, and visitors only use the side doors.)
Patrick 12:57 on 2020-06-29 Permalink
Well, not quite never. My mother’s funeral was held in St. Patrick’s some years ago, and we followed the coffin out the main doors. But I don’t know what happens in a regular Sunday.
Kate 13:02 on 2020-06-29 Permalink
Ah OK. I guess it is used on ceremonial occasions. I’ve never been on a regular Sunday, but I’ve occasionally stepped inside to look around, and I think the last time I was ever at a mass (besides a couple of funerals) was when my folks inveigled me into going with them to Christmas mass there years ago. The “front” door was never open.
MarcG 16:31 on 2020-06-29 Permalink
I was supposed to meet my now-partner at St Patrick’s for our first date. She was sick and I sat through the service wondering where she was. Beautiful place. I went in and out the side door on the SW side.
Chris 18:24 on 2020-06-29 Permalink
I sure hope the city appeals.
“si un stationnement «sert au moins en partie à l’exercice du culte public», il peut bénéficier d’une exemption de toutes ses taxes foncières.” What insane reasoning. I’m sure Scientology is happy. Just hold one religious service and leave the building vacant 364 other days a year. It was partially used for religious purposes, so hey no taxes at all!
Churches should pay the same taxes as other businesses. Just because they’re selling lies and not trinkets shouldn’t get them any exemption.
Ian 14:34 on 2020-06-30 Permalink
Unless the law that makes churches tax exempt gets changed, if the city appeals this case it’s just throwing good money after bad.