The historic Église de l’Immaculée Conception in Saint-Ours (Church of the Immaculate Conception) in Québec burned down on 3 April. The church was built between 1880 and 1882 in neo-Gothic style.
It was one of the oldest wooden churches in the region and an important cultural heritage site. The tower, the pointed arches and the colourful stained-glass windows made it one of the finest examples of the region’s traditional church architecture from the late 19th century. For more than 140 years, it has represented the religious centre of the local community.
– An irreplaceable loss for our history and identity
The fire broke out during the night of 3 April 2026 and spread rapidly. When the fire brigade arrived, the building was fully engulfed in flames.
No persons were injured. The police in Québec have initiated an investigation to determine the cause, and it has not yet been confirmed whether the fire was arson.
The fire came only days after the terrorist organisation IS called for people to “set fire to churches and synagogues” at Easter, which is described as an “ideal time” for attacks on churches because Christians gather in large numbers.
IS med oppfordring til muslimer: – Påsken en «ideell tid» for kirkebranner
Saint-Ours is a small town southeast of Montréal. The old church was a landmark in the area and a popular venue for weddings and religious/cultural events.
This is the latest in a series of church fires in Canada in recent years. Several historic churches, especially in Québec, have been affected by fires under unclear circumstances.
The local population in Saint-Ours has been affected by the incident, and many gathered at the ruins to lay flowers and light candles. The mayor has called it “an irreplaceable loss for our history and identity”.
Another historic church goes up in flames.
The Église de l'Immaculée church of Saint-Ours, Canada just burnt to the ground.
It was built between 1880 and 1882. pic.twitter.com/xp5HAD8noR
— Bruce (@bruce_barrett) April 3, 2026
According to Québec’s fire services and local media, there have been more than 40 church fires in the province over the past five to six years. Of these, between 15 and 20 have been classified as arson or suspicious. Before 2021, church fires were a rare phenomenon in Canada, whereas after 2021 they have become a persistent problem.
From June 2021 to December 2023, at least 33 churches were completely destroyed by fire. Twenty-four of these are confirmed arson. In total, since May 2021, between 100 and 120 Canadian churches have been burned down, severely damaged or vandalised.
The ongoing wave of church fires is seen in connection with radicalisation within certain immigrant groups.