Ancaster’s historic Book House appears unlikely to be survived by much more than a commemorative plaque once it’s demolished — and probably only if the owner pays for it.

City heritage planner Jeremy Parsons said the Roman Catholic Diocese of Hamilton has been asked to cover the bill because there are no municipal funds available.

He said the diocese has already gone beyond requirements by agreeing to submit a report documenting anything that can be salvaged from the 187-year-old home, built by one of the area’s pioneering families.

Its fate became sealed when the city confirmed in February that the roof had collapsed.

It’s just a litany of neglect — Kathleen Garay

“Other than that, there’s not a lot the city can do,” Parsons told the Hamilton municipal heritage committee.

The committee voted 5-4 to support a staff recommendation the city remove the home from its register of buildings of interest and not pursue a designation under the Ontario Heritage Act.

Kathleen Garay, who cast an opposing vote, said the Book House has been a “disaster story” since 2007, when the diocese objected to a heritage designation and offered to sell the building for $1 provided the city moved it off site at its own expense.

“It’s just a litany of neglect,” she said, suggesting the committee convey its displeasure to the diocese. “It’s obvious this poor house is beyond repair, but it’s just one example of many, and if we don’t speak up, who’s going to?”

Ron Sinclair, who backed the staff recommendation, suggested the home could be left as is, much as happened with the Ancaster's Hermitage ruins before they were partially restored.

“It doesn’t need to be like the Hermitage in terms of the public going through it regularly or having interpretation or an interpretive centre,” he said. “It’s just the preservation of the landscape with a plaque.”