Driver injured after crashing into building, northern Ont. church says

CTV News

21-07-2025

A vehicle crashed through the wall of St. Alban the Martyr Anglican Church's hall in Mattawa, Ont., on July 18, 2025. The car is shown inside the building that morning. (St. Alban the Martyr Anglican Church/Facebook)
A vehicle collided with the Church Hall building of St. Alban the Martyr Anglican Church in Mattawa, Ont., in the early morning hours of July 18, causing what appears to be significant structural damage.
Car Crash - Mattawa Church Hall - Exterior
A vehicle crashed through the wall of St. Alban the Martyr Anglican Church's hall in Mattawa, Ont., on July 18, 2025. The exterior of the building is shown after the crash. (St. Alban the Martyr Anglican Church/Facebook)
Emergency response
Church officials said the driver was transported to hospital and emergency crews worked through the day to clear the scene.
'Please keep (the motorist) in your thoughts and prayers during this time,' the church wrote.
In a social media post, the church expressed gratitude to first responders, including the Mattawa and Papineau-Cameron Fire Departments, paramedics, local mechanics, tow truck operators and Ontario Provincial Police.
The Papineau-Cameron Fire Department confirmed its involvement in an email to CTVNorthernOntario.ca, noting it had been assisting Mattawa crews on another call prior to the crash.
'Papineau-Cameron Fire Department was assisting with another call with them just before this one, which was why we were in the same area,' said Fire Chief Neil O'Grady.
O'Grady declined to comment further on the incident, directing inquiries to Mattawa officials.
In a brief message to CTV News, Tanya McMartin, the church's caretaker, confirmed that she and her husband were called to the scene by emergency officials Friday morning.
Ontario 511's highway webcam at the nearby Highway 17 roundabout captured images of the emergency response.
Car Crash - Mattawa Church Hall - 511 cam
First responders at the scene of a crash at a church on Main Street in Mattawa, Ont., shortly after 2:30 a.m. on July 18, 2025. (Ontario 511 Traveller Information Service)
CTV News has also reached out to the church, the Mattawa Fire Department and OPP for further details, but has not yet received a response.
Damage and recovery
The vehicle broke through the wall of the hall, located at 8 Main Street, and was removed by Friday evening.
Car Crash - Mattawa Church Hall - cleared
A vehicle crashed through the wall of St. Alban the Martyr Anglican Church's hall in Mattawa, Ont., on July 18, 2025. The interior of the building is shown after the car was removed. (St. Alban the Martyr Anglican Church/Facebook)
The church announced the hall would remain closed indefinitely pending repairs.
The church has not commented on the cause of the crash and no further details on the driver's condition have been released.
This story will be updated as more details become available.