By Dan Pujdak
St. Brigid’s Church has reopened and is welcoming back old patrons to a beloved neighbour institution–its bar.
Patrick McDonald, who bought the deconsecrated church on the corner of St. Patrick Street and Cumberland Street, has started pouring Guinness and Irish whiskey again in St. Brigid’s Well, the bar he opened in the church’s basement.
Only several months ago the church was the center of a city-wide controversy. Financial pressures created by pandemic restrictions and the high cost of property maintenance forced McDonald to list St. Brigid’s. Prospective buyers, who unbeknownst to McDonald were a convoy-affiliated “community group,” occupied the property and were later evicted.
With COVID restrictions lifted and the property back in his possession, McDonald wants to restore St. Brigid’s to once again be a community institution. The bar is only the first step. McDonald is now working to reopen an event space in the basement, as well as a theatre space in the former nave, which has one of the largest stages in Ottawa. McDonald is also beginning to welcome back artists to the bar, which served as a local gallery space until the pandemic.
The locals are back along with many welcome newcomers. On Friday and Saturday nights, St. Brigid’s Well is vibrant. Irish music plays in the background while patrons enjoy a range of local and Irish beer. The Well is considering reopening its kitchen soon, and until then some light snacks are available, as well as order-in from restaurants in the neighbourhood. McDonald shared that community events are being booked in the space again. (Proactive disclosure: including a private function and fundraiser by the writer of this article.)
As part of its calendar of events, St. Brigid’s Well will be resuming its monthly music session (bring your own instruments) the last Friday of every month.
McDonald’s love for St. Brigid’s – and for Lowertown – is obvious when he talks about the future. McDonald purchased the church in 2007 and told his wife, Brigid, on Valentine’s Day. McDonald worked with the local Irish community and others to make sure the site continues to celebrate the rich, diverse history of Lowertown.
“I want to make sure it stays around for another century,” said McDonald. We at the Echo hope it does as well.
The bar’s beloved blue beacon will be shining over the Cumberland Street entrance every Wednesday through Sunday from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.