Worcester Telegram & Gazette
September 3, 2004
Saving history
A piece of Worcester's past avoids the wrecking ball
Just when the future of the historic Chestnut Street Congregational Church looked bleakest, it found salvation in the form of the Liberty Assembly of God church in Shrewsbury, which has agreed to buy the impressive French Gothic-style church in downtown Worcester for $1.75 million.
Preservation Worcester and city officials deserve plaudits for their hard work to bring this deal to fruition. The church's owners, First American Realty, wanted to raze the structure, which is modeled on the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, because of problems with its bell towers. The city's Historical Commission refused to grant a waiver to allow the demolition, preventing the company from razing the church for six months.
That gave Preservation Worcester's interim director, Stephen Pitcher, just enough time to get Liberty Assembly of God and First American to work out a deal.
It is too bad that earlier plans for a proposed multi-million dollar housing development by Worcester Community Housing Resources fell through for lack of financing. That project, which called for an 11-story apartment tower on the property, would have provided much needed downtown housing, generated new tax revenue for the city and perhaps even attracted new retail development to that section of downtown.
Liberty Assembly of God, however, will make good use of the 107-year-old church as a "Dream Center," which will offer after-school and other programs for youth, and may also operate a theological school on the property.
Preservation Worcester works tirelessly to protect the city's oldest and most endangered properties. Thanks to their efforts, the Chestnut Street Congregational Church is one that will not fall to the wrecking ball.