Frequently Asked Questions

WHAT’S SPECIAL ABOUT St. JOHN CANTIUS CHURCH?

This beautiful building with its soaring bell tower, stained glass rose window and ornate vaulted ceiling is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and holds meaning for thousands of people in our community who are personally connected to its history and/or who value and appreciate its history and beauty.

For generations, the church was the vital center of Northampton’s Polish immigrant community, which paid for its construction literally with their hard-earned nickels and dimes. Building this substantial parish church, which looks like a Romanesque basilica with neo-classical Renaissance touches, was such a major accomplishment for this once marginalized community (they had previously been worshiping in the former alms house) that dignitaries came from all over including all the way from Poland for the dedication ceremonies.

WHY IS THE CHURCH THREATENED WITH DEMOLITION?

A developer wants to demolish this beautiful, 100+ year old landmark for five more condos in addition to the 23 they already built next door.

THIS IS PRIVATE PROPERTY. DOESN’T THE DEVELOPER HAVE THE RIGHT TO DEMOLISH THE BUILDING?

No. City ordinances restrict demolition of our irreplaceable historic buildings because they contribute significantly to Northampton’s quality of life and economic competitiveness. The Central Business Architecture Committee (“CBAC”), which has jurisdiction over this site, has a clear statutory duty of “preserving historic and architecturally valuable buildings” and may only grant a demolition permit for a historic building if it is “unusable” and structurally and functionally “obsolete,” with some leeway given in cases of “substantial financial hardship.” Based on expert analysis, we believe the church is structurally sound and can be feasibly repurposed without substantial financial hardship.

ARE YOU ANTI-DEVELOPMENT?

No. We believe in sensible development that enhances our community. We believe our outstanding historic buildings are the engines of our economic future not impediments to it. And we expect our elected and appointed officials to make sure developers abide by the spirit and letter of our laws.

HOW CAN THIS HISTORIC LANDMARK BE THREATENED WITH DEMOLITION IF IT’S PROTECTED BY CITY ORDINANCES?

The City process is falling short and is currently under review. In the meantime, existing protective ordinances might not be enforced. Rather than submitting a comprehensive proposal for the entire church site (which included the church, its historic rectory, parish hall and parking lot), the process allows the developer to submit proposal piecemeal to their advantage.

In 2019, CBAC approved the demolition of the historic rectory for 23 condos without any historic review. At that time, the developer stated in writing they would “find a way to eventually redevelop” the church.

Now the developer is seeking to demolish the church claiming it can’t be reused based on misleading and non-transparent ‘analysis’ which among other things looked at the church in isolation without its traditional parking lot which they own. And they are claiming financial hardship without consideration for the expected profits from their $18 million, 23-condo development on the former rectory site while simultaneously asking for approval to replace the church with five additional condos that don’t comply with current zoning.

A dangerous precedent will be set if this demolition is approved. Other developers will surely try the same ploy to demolish other precious landmarks such as St. Mary’s Church on Elm St.

This is not acceptable!

HOW DO YOU KNOW THE BUILDING CAN BE REUSED?

This building was built for the ages and churches are repurposed all the time. To confirm this, we have engaged the services of a mission-driven historic building developer who is working with his architect, historic structural engineer and other members of his team to create an objective assessment of the church and a feasible redevelopment plan, and who will help negotiate a win-win solution for the condo developer and the community.

WILL DEMOLITION IMPACT CLIMATE CHANGE?

Yes. The greenest buildings are the ones already standing. Demolition wastes all the ‘embodied carbon’ generated in the construction of any existing building. Here, demolition will also trigger waves of greenhouse gas releases from the construction of the new condos and the materials used to build them.

Help Stop The Demolition of This Historic Landmark Today!

Sign the petition, contact your city council member, and register to volunteer!