We hope that whoever buys St. Mary of the Assumption Church in Northampton is committed to preserving the architectural and historic features of the iconic building at 3 Elm St.
While some parishioners still are trying to convince the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield to reopen St. Mary’s for religious services, we believe that battle is over. We urge parishioners now to join with city officials and others interested in preservation to form a strong coalition advocating for sale of the property to a buyer who appreciates its significance and will preserve its character.
“This is the most prominent structure downtown — it’s symbolic,” says parishioner and architect Tristram Metcalfe. “This is the core, the root. It has to be preserved.” We agree.
St. Mary’s, which was built during the 1880s and offers a commanding view of downtown from lower Elm Street, was closed in 2010 when the diocese created the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish by consolidating the five existing parishes in Northampton. Parishioners now worship in Sacred Heart Church at 99 King St.
St. Mary’s Church, its rectory and parking lot have been listed for sale since February 2017. Earlier this month, Mark Dupont, a spokesman for the diocese, declined comment when asked if any offers have been received for the property.
Some parishioners formed the Committee to Preserve St. Mary of the Assumption Church and developed a renewal plan centered on an engineering firm’s estimate that necessary repairs could be done for $229,375. The diocese, however, maintains the cost of repairs is $1.3 million.
The committee has taken its battle to ecclesiastical and civil courts and even appealed to the Vatican to overturn the decision to close St. Mary’s. That appeal was denied three years ago. Even so, some parishioners refuse to accept that religious services will not be held again at St. Mary’s.
As recently as Feb. 28, during a “listening session” in Northampton, parishioners urged Bishop Mitchell Rozanski to sell the King Street property and reopen St. Mary’s. “It seems as if Satan has won. You played into his hand,” said Michele Atkinson. “But it’s not too late to right a wrong and bring Northampton Catholics back to church.”
Though Rozanski did not respond that night, he made his position clear in a letter written May 6 to Deacon Bernard Fleury, a member of the St. Mary’s committee. “In essence, Deacon Fleury, I consider this matter closed. Although you have made me keenly aware that you and your committee do not agree with this decision, it is final.”
His stance has been punctuated with the removal of sacred objects from St. Mary’s in recent weeks. First, a marble altar and ornamental screen from the front of the church were sent elsewhere by the diocese. Last week, after the bell was removed from St. Mary in pieces, Dupont said, “In accordance with church guidelines, the parish of St. Elizabeth is well within (its) rights to repurpose these items from this former church which will not reopen as a Catholic worship site.”
Some committee members found the bell’s departure particularly symbolic. “The bell would ring on certain occasions,” said Janice Ruszczyk. “Now they’re silencing the church.”
Ruszczyk said she will alert the Northampton Historical Commission to watch for any modifications to the building, which is in the Elm Street Historic District, and expressed concern about the possible removal of its stained glass windows.
Certain alterations or demolition that affect the exterior architectural features of buildings in the historic district are prohibited unless permission is granted by the Historical Commission.
Ruszczyk added that while her group still wants to preserve St. Mary’s as a church, she is open to considering other uses, such as a venue for concerts, as long the building remains intact.
We admire the tenacity of the Committee to Preserve St. Mary of the Assumption Church. However, we believe it is now time for its members to team up with city officials — led by the Historical Commission with support from Mayor David Narkewicz — and other preservation groups, such as Historic Northampton, to pressure the diocese so its selection of a buyer for the property is not just driven by money.
The diocese must understand the importance of preserving St. Mary’s as an architectural gem and an important part of Northampton’s history.