BishopAccountability.org
	Firm: Keep St. Ann's As Freeland's Church By Tom Ragan Standard Speaker February 23, 2008 http://www.standardspeaker.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=6869&Itemid=2 The Roman Catholic Community of Freeland knew for months that four of its long-standing churches would be reduced to one. They now know which one is likely to survive. About 200 parishioners attended a Friday night meeting to hear the Rev. John Melnick announce that he would recommend St. Ann's Church on Centre Street serve the parish and be renamed Immaculate Conception Church. Under the recommendation, the other three churches – St. Casimir's, St. John's and St. Anthony's – would be closed. The Foreman Group, a Harrisburg-based architectural and engineering firm, performed a study of the four churches over the past few months, Melnick said, and concluded that St. Ann's would need the least amount of repairs at a cost of between $20,000 and $38,000. "It is the only building that does not require a detailed evaluation and if you're going to spend your money for the future it should be here at St. Ann's," Thomas McCune of The Foreman Group said. Repairs for St. John's, St. Anthony's and St. Casimir's would run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars; the cost would be "enormous," McCune said. He gave the presentation at St. Ann's on Friday using slides that showed structural and internal problems at each church. McCune said "patchwork" repairs were made at the churches in recent years rather than planned maintenance work by highly qualified contractors. The Foreman Group evaluated electrical, plumbing, heating and ventilation and security systems, as well as handicapped accessibility. Its final report included four packets of photos – one for each church – taken during building inspections. At St. John's, damage from water infiltration can be seen at the southwest corner entrance. Insect and water damage at a timber roof beam is visible in another picture. Corroded steel in the steeple structure is also shown. At St. Casmir's, the parking lot is damaged by what is likely a mine subsidence. There are cracks in the damage building, water in several areas, rusty and leaking pipes, deteriorating wood-framed walls and a crack in the chimney masonry. At St. Anthony's, the men's and ladies restrooms in the social hall are damaged. There is corrosion and water damage along with masonry problems and cracks in the foundation. Even St. Ann's, the church recommended to stay open, has minor problems associated with heating and ventilation, according to some photos. "The damage started long ago. These beautiful churches were not kept up properly and that goes back decades," McCune said. According to McCune, St. Ann's is the cheapest to heat. Using a master control to regulate airflow, the cost can be brought down even further, he said. Melnick pointed out that the population of Freeland is decreasing and there are economic difficulties that make it impossible for the diocese to continue to afford four churches. "It is now time for us to become one parish, whatever church is ultimately chosen by our bishop," Melnick said. Melnick asked for a show of hands of those who agree with the merger, and all but a few held up their hands. One of those opposing the move was Freeland resident Bob Falatko. "I don't like the way it's being done," Falatko said. He believes the people of all four parishes should be given a chance to offer their opinions. Another man stood up and said, "We need to come together as a parish." While many were saddened by the news, most appeared to understand the situation. "It's heartbreaking," said Mary Lapchak, a parishioner of St. John's for her entire life. "We had a beautiful altar and we paid over $200,000 for a large historical organ that has huge pipes running right up to the ceiling." But she added, "You have to come together; the money's not there." Melnick said the recommendation really is the only option, and Bishop Joseph Martino will have the final say. "I will send these recommendations along with the entire Foreman Group report to Bishop Martino and sometime between now and the end of March he will make a decision on the recommendations," Melnick said. Contact: ragan@standardspeaker.com
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.