Does anyone know what happened at the church across from Seth Boyden?

Was there a fire?

As far as I know, the church has been vacant for many years. The church has been in terrible disrepair during the vacancy years. I heard animals were living in the church during this time. About 4 or so months ago the owner decided to sell. After 60 days on the market, it sold. Supposedly, the new buyer is putting up condo/apts (I think 32). I believe they cut down the trees first, then fenced off the property to do the next steps.

The church has been sold to a local developer. It will be torn down

and a 30 unit apartment building will be built on that land.

But we haven't had a chance to endlessly debate and argue about the property and its disposition!

Thank you for the information. I was worried that some poor congregation had been displaced by a fire.

I'd like them to add a public pool there instead. We don't have enough pools in that vicinity. And who gets to benefit from the apartment building? 30 people? Think about the overcrowding of the schools!

try possible 60 plus with or without kids.

Wait! ... they aren't going to re-purpose it??

We should turn it into a community living room

sac said:
Wait! ... they aren't going to re-purpose it??

Yes it is. Unless the new owner decides to build another Church.

I expect author and olive to get on this protest and petition ASAP.

Just look at what could be done.*

http://ny.curbed.com/archives/2012/10/25/16_religious_buildings_converted_into_coops_and_condos.php

And, FWIW, I attended a Jersey City planning board hearing on Monday evening, where a church received approval for conversion to 30 apartments.

* not holding my breath.

author said:

sac said:
Wait! ... they aren't going to re-purpose it??

Yes it is. Unless the new owner decides to build another Church.

I mean re-purpose the existing building rather than tear it down and build new. Isn't that what you all want?

Limelight!

I've worked in the Union Square area for 12 years and it's changed hands or been rebranded about four times.

max_weisenfeld said:
Limelight!

Repurposed, you mean.

both

max_weisenfeld said:
Repurposed, you mean.

as I have heard the church did not want it as a church anymore had not been used for years in major disrepair

All of which is very interesting. But the Church was in the Private Sector and not the Public Sector as hasbeen the Post Office Building. Of course the building and land there will disappear from Public Ownership to being owned by one person or Corporation. But we can all still stand outside and admire its mediocrity

And say to ourselves.........."Yep this was the best we could do"

That must be what they said when Arturo's and half the other buildings in the Village were built also.

Why did I ask.

max_weisenfeld said:
Repurposed, you mean.

max_weisenfeld said:
Limelight!

sigh.

ArchBroad said:
That must be what they said when Arturo's and half the other buildings in the Village were built also.

Highly doubtful............different times and different sensitivities

My church inquired about buying the property, but was told that it was not available...that was quite a while ago. We kept watching the property and nothing happened until just a few weeks ago. Now all kinds of construction and clearing is taking place.

The church was knocked down yesterday. A cornerstone depicting the date of 1839 was still left standing. I sure hope that is not destroyed and will be left somewhere prominent on the property. After all it is a piece of history in Maplewood. There is going to be a town meeting this Thursday 8/20 at the DeHart Community Center with the mayor, the architect and the community. The architect will state what he is going to build and the towns people can ask questions, voice concerns (I am sure), etc.

Just an FYI, the church building was structurally unsound and beyond repair. Portions of the roof had collapsed. There were a variety of additional major and very expensive issues that rendered the building unsalvagable. In winter there were snow drifts inside the building. The stained glass windows and other elements were removed prior to demolition.

The architect/builder lives in Maplewood. He is responsible for the much admired redo of The Mill. I think the property is in very good hands.

By the way, there were a lot of churches interested in the property but the building had degraded so much that a rehab was not feasible. There were some people within the Methodist organization that owned it who had some fairly deep pockets who wanted very much to save the building and use it for outreach and as a community resource so if it could have been salvaged it would not have been sold.

Pilot?

Quick! Petition! The answer to everything in this town!

Thanks for the information @sarahzm. I knew the building was way, way, way beyond repair. You could see it just from looking on the outside. Every year it got worse and worse. I knew the inside must have been ready to just fall down. It seemed so bad that if a strong wind came along it would go down. I remember when the church was up and running. I specifically remember trying to get my father to go there for the senior lunches after my mother passed away just so he would get out and meet people because he was a very social person i.e. talkative LOL. The church has been there since I was a kid. I used to play in the church when I left school every day at Seth Boyden. I am sure the architect will do a good job and construct something eye pleasing at the least. It's tough to put up a multi-story building in a residential area without it standing out and becoming an eye sore. I am going to the meeting since I am very interested in this subject. I hope the architect is aware of the cornerstone with the date on it and will keep it on the property for historical reasons.