Historic CT church faces demolition despite parishioners' protests

A historic Catholic church in New Britain, St. Peter Church, may soon be demolished despite protests from loyal parishioners. The church, which was built 125 years ago, has been deemed unstable due to structural damage from an earthquake that occurred in 2024. Church officials stated that the cost of repairing the church would be too high. They say extensive work is needed, including steel bracing for the tower. The St. Peter’s Society, which represents parishioners, disagrees with this decision. They believe the engineering report about the church's condition is inadequate and that the city wrongfully condemned it. Mayor Erin Stewart's office has indicated it will not intervene in the situation. The city's historic preservation commission has approved the demolition, and city officials have said they can't stop the church, owned by St. Francis Parish, from tearing it down. Parishioners like Dennis Kern are working to block the demolition and say they feel discouraged by the situation. The church has been part of the community since it was founded by German and Austrian immigrants. Attendance has decreased over the years, leading to its recent closures and merger with other parishes. Although the church has not hosted regular services recently, it was still used for special events, such as funerals and baptisms. The earthquake caused noticeable damage, leading church leaders to call for demolition once the state of the building was confirmed. Despite calls for alternative solutions, Rev. Michael Casey said repairs would be too costly and could reach millions of dollars. While plans for demolition have not been finalized, efforts are underway to salvage important items from the church, such as stained glass windows and the organ. Rev. Casey expressed sadness over the potential loss of a cherished community space but emphasized the ongoing community outreach and support amidst the challenging circumstances.