|
|
Photo Mary Ann Bragg
The parking lot booth for St. Peter the Apostle Roman Catholic church, at the bottom of Prince Street, will remain in the same location as part of the reconfiguration of the church lot finalized by the Historic District Commission last week. |
|
|
Church plan prevails, amid discord
By Mary Ann Bragg
Banner Staff
PROVINCETOWN — The Roman Catholic parish here received permission to demolish an old house, move its rectory and rebuild St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church following contentious — but ultimately fruitful — appearances before the Historic District Commission.
This week Rev. Henry Dahl, St. Peter’s pastor, said he felt the town board had been helpful. “We don’t think we’re at all at odds with them. We both have a goal. They’ve been attentive to our needs, and we know where they’re coming from,” Dahl said.
The church reconstruction project began after a massive fire destroyed St. Peter’s in January of 2005.
Dahl and the church’s design consultant have been asked, in one final step, to bring the proposal for the relocation of the rectory back before an HDC subcommittee.
Although the church wants the rectory to be in line with the new church, against the back of the property off Prince Street, the HDC has asked that the rectory be moved forward, closer to the corner of Mozart and Prince streets, to soften the effect on the neighborhood.
Dahl’s easy manner on Tuesday belies what was a heated debate over the plans, both inside and outside Town Hall. Many parishioners — estimated at 70 by Dahl — gathered to testify in favor of the plans. Others wrote favorable letters. Town Manager Keith Bergman also endorsed the project at one HDC meeting, identifying himself as a private citizen and a member of the parish.
The HDC voted 3-2 to allow a rental residence on the property, dating from the 1860s, to be demolished, with members Carol Neal and Polly Burnell in opposition. The town’s local historic district bylaw strictly prohibits demolition of older buildings except in extraordinary circumstances.
Some neighbors were not thrilled with the church’s plan, which will move a large parking lot to the front of the property, much closer to houses. Parishioners use the parking spaces during Mass, and the church also leases the parking as a source of income.
Other opponents have pointed out that a chief historical asset — the quaint, grassy feel of the longstanding neighborhood — will be lost with the church’s plan. And that the eastern side of Prince Street, from Bradford to Holway streets, will now be largely composed of parking lots: a town lot at the high school, a private lot off Mozart Avenue and the new church lot.
mabragg@provincetownbanner.com
For full text of this article see this week’s Banner.
|
Confirmed measles case leads to vaccination clinic Monday
Red tide blooms
In the News
|
|
|
|
|
Jun 22nd, 2006