More than a year of hard work by parishioners at Indian Orchard’s Immaculate Conception has paid off: Over the weekend, the Rev. Timothy McDonnell, bishop of the Springfield Catholic Diocese, announced that the church will not close after all.
Immaculate Conception was one of three Springfield churches—and one of 14 across the western Mass. diocese—selected for closure by church leaders in the summer of 2009. A report released at the time by a diocesan Pastoral Planning Committee said that the dramatic drop in both parishioners and priests necessitated the parish closures, as well as the consolidation of some existing churches. The report suggested the possibility of Immaculate Conception—a traditionally Polish parish on Parker Street—with Ludlow’s Christ the King church.
As was the case at just about every church selected for closure, Immaculate Conception parishioners protested the decision. They argued that their church had a strong membership and healthy finances, including a lack of the debt. The church buildings were also in strong shape, having undergone major renovations in recent years.
At the time, Mark Dupont, spokesman for the Diocese, told the Advocate that there was the possibility that McDonnell would reverse a closure decision, if parishioners could put together a strong enough case. “There is always a chance—which is why the Church has an appeal process,” Dupont said. “But parishioners who are appealing should be realistic about the very pressing situation we are facing and the fact that there is an indisputable need to make some very painful changes. Those appeals which take these matters into account would be given consideration.”
While parishioners put together a “Save Immaculate Conception” effort, the Springfield Historical Commission voted to declare the church a historic district—a move that would prevent the Diocese or any future developers who might buy the property from demolishing the building or making significant changes to its exterior without the Commission’s approval. In addition, a historic district was created at another Springfield church slated for closure, Hungry Hill’s Our Lady of Hope. The Diocese has sued the city over that move, calling it an inappropriate government intrusion in church affairs. That case has yet to be resolved.
At Immaculate Conception, at least, the issue of what to do with the emptied church is now, happily, moot. The Diocese announced over the weekend the decision to keep the parish open; a release from Dupont noted “[i]n a report presented to Bishop McDonnell in July, the parish demonstrated increased Mass attendance and support, along with a plan to convert the former parish school into a child care center. In arriving at his final decision, Bishop made specific note of the planned center as being a positive addition to the community.”
In a letter to the Immaculate Conception community, McDonnell wrote, that “based on the increased participation in parish life shown over the past year and in light of the proposals to provide for the future with the child care facility, I have directed that the Parish of the Immaculate Conception in Indian Orchard remain in existence. There is, I know, much yet to accomplish to ensure the future, but the efforts undertaken in the past year have indicated a willingness to support the parish by participation in its sacramental life and its ministries and I have to trust that such will continue.”
Immaculate Conception has marked the good news with a simple announcement on its website: “It was decided by Most Reverend Timothy A. McDonnell, Bishop of Springfield, that the Paris of the Immaculate Conception in Indian Orchard remains in existence.
“!!! THANK YOU !!!”
