Historic Worcester church saved by developers

Beau Ouiville · #1 Oct 9, '10, 10:31 am

Well, I'm glad the church will still stand.

"WORCESTER, Mass. --A landmark Catholic church in downtown Worcester has been bought by developers who say they will try to incorporate the building into an adjacent redevelopment project.

Notre Dame des Canadiens Church was closed in 2007 and recently sold by the Diocese of Worcester for $875,000 to CitySquare II Development Co. LLC. Preservationists feared the high cost of repairing the building would force developers to tear down the 80-year-old church, which was originally built to serve the city's French-Canadian population.

But the developers tell The Telegram & Gazette of Worcester that there are no plans to bulldoze the building and they may find a way to include the church in the project. Diocese officials say they are pleased the church will be preserved."

http://www.boston.com/news/local/mas...by_developers/

**Dale_M** · #2 Oct 9, '10, 12:11 pm

Quote:

[Deborah Packard, the executive director of Preservation Worcester,] said she was surprised the diocese was able to sell the church as quickly as it did, given its condition. She estimated that it would have cost at least $2 million to fully repair the structure.

Ms. Packard said she doesn’t think the building is suitable for retail or commercial space but said it would be possible to renovate it into some kind of community center.

She suggested that a use could be tailored to attract the city’s significant college population.

“They might want to consider something a bit funky, maybe a marketplace of sorts,” Ms. Packard said.

http://www.telegram.com/article/20101008/NEWS/10080584

hmmm... turning the church into a community center maybe, but a funky marketplace?? Maybe not.

All of consecrated items (statuary, altar, tabernacle etc) have already been removed, and the stained glass will be removed as well.

**Dale_M** · #3 Oct 9, '10, 12:16 pm

The church in question (click picture to make bigger):

Bob Aliano · #4 Oct 9, '10, 4:43 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dale_M

http://www.telegram.com/article/20101008/NEWS/10080584

hmmm... turning the church into a community center maybe, but a funky marketplace?? Maybe not.

All of consecrated items (statuary, altar, tabernacle etc) have already been removed, and the stained glass will be removed as well.

If historic Fanneuil Hall can be a funky marketplace why not an old church building?
www.faneuilhallmarketplace.com

Out here they usually wind up as yuppie restaurants.

**Dale_M** · #5 Oct 9, '10, 6:06 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Aliano

If historic Fanneuil Hall can be a funky marketplace why not an old church building?

Okay, I will admit I have never heard of Fanneuil Hall.

However, from what I can tell, Fanneuil Hall was built as a marketplace and meeting hall, and those functions continue today.
http://www.nps.gov/bost/historyculture/fh.htm

Maybe I should regard a building simply as a building. Once a church has been formally de-consecrated (what is the right word for this process?)
I suppose it doesn't matter how it is used.

But it just doesn't feel right to me.

Bob Aliano · #6 Oct 10, '10, 8:39 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dale_M

Okay, I will admit I have never heard of Fanneuil Hall.

However, from what I can tell, Fanneuil Hall was built as a marketplace and meeting hall, and those functions continue today.
http://www.nps.gov/bost/historyculture/fh.htm

Maybe I should regard a building simply as a building. Once a church has been formally de-consecrated (what is the right word for this process?)
I suppose it doesn't matter how it is used.

But it just doesn't feel right to me.

I know how you feel. The Polish church in which I was Baptized in Lynn, MA, was sold by the the Bishop in Boston, along with several other churches, to pay the abuse suits; he denied that but the coincidental timing is overwhelming. It's hard to let go of places that hold so many memories for generations of Catholic families but let go we must. I guess we should be thankful the new use isn't anti-Christian.

Santi2 · #7 Oct 10, '10, 9:42 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dale_M

Maybe I should regard a building simply as a building. Once a church has been formally de-consecrated (what is the right word for this process?)
I suppose it doesn't matter how it is used.

But it just doesn't feel right to me.

Most conversions of old churches here are towards family homes. But, I have heard of one turned into a disco in the US (NY?). Thankfully, that is not the norm.

Here are some photos of old chapels and churches gracefully turned into beautiful homes.

http://www.property.org.uk/unique/ch.html

NewEnglandPriest · #8 Oct 10, '10, 8:10 pm

I wonder if European Catholics laugh at us for calling an 80 year old church "historic."

Santi2 · #9 Oct 10, '10, 11:58 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by NewEnglandPries

I wonder if European Catholics laugh at us for calling an 80 year old church "historic."

Occasionally.

But, it depends on what "historic" refers to. Excepting reference to brick and mortar, you folks over there have historic buildings in the context of events which have transpired within their four walls. So, for the latter, we share the same sentiments.

mary bobo · #10 Oct 11, '10, 1:51 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Santi2

Most conversions of old churches here are towards family homes. But, I have heard of one turned into a disco in the US (NY?). Thankfully, that is not the norm.

Here are some photos of old chapels and churches gracefully turned into beautiful homes.

http://www.property.org.uk/unique/ch.html

Thanks for posting. They are lovely. I have seen several old barns and an old school here that have been converted.