E-mail: Dennis Donovan, Senior Asset Manager Archdiocese of Boston May 5, 2015
Dear Mr. Donovan, Residents of the town of Danvers urge the Archdiocese to engage in dialogue about the imminent destruction of the historic Mackey Funeral Home. This beautiful structure deserves to be preserved for many reasons, including the deleterious effect its removal will have on the streetscape of the town. Spending $1,000,000 to install a parking lot with limited use, moreover, is a shameful waste of resources, when the goal can be achieved in other ways. Town officials endorse preservation of this historic home, and parishioners and non-parishioners alike want you to consider a compromise solution. Additional parking for the church can be achieved by removing the rear of the house, which is not of historical value, and using the parking lot of the adjacent commercial building, which the owner is willing to make available. The failure to discuss this matter and consider alternative solutions has so upset parishioners that several of the most active have already left the parish; others are even contemplating leaving the Church altogether. In these challenging times for the Church, its true mission should guide its decisions, and the faithful laity should be an integral part of the decision-making process. For the mutual benefit of the Church and the community, please meet with the concerned citizens. To set up a time, contact John Archer, 978-922-4600. Sincerely yours, Sally Ann Connolly, Parishioner
Facebook posting: His Holiness Pope Francis May 6, 2015
Your Holiness: Residents of the town of Danvers, Massachusetts, USA, urge the Archdiocese of Boston to engage in dialogue about the imminent razing of the historic Mackey Funeral Home, which was purchased by St. Mary of the Annunciation Church. The six-month demolition delay imposed by the town has expired; and this beautiful structure deserves to be preserved for many reasons, including the deleterious effect its removal will have on the streetscape of the town. Spending $1,000,000 to install a parking lot with limited use, moreover, is a shameful waste of resources, when the goal of additional parking can be achieved in other ways. Town officials endorse preservation of this historic home and have appealed unsuccessfully to the Archdiocese. Parishioners and non-parishioners alike want to discuss a compromise solution. Additional parking for the church can be achieved by removing the rear of the house, which is not of historical value, and using the parking lot of the adjacent commercial building, which the owner is willing to make available. The failure to discuss this matter and consider alternative solutions has so upset parishioners that several of the most active have already left the parish; others are even contemplating leaving the Church altogether. In these challenging times, the true mission of the Church should guide decisions, and the faithful laity should be an integral part of the decision-making process. For the mutual benefit of the Church and the community, please encourage Archdiocesan officials to meet with concerned citizens. The point of contact on Facebook is “Save The Welch House at 22 Conant Street/The Mackey Funeral Home.� Sincerely yours in the Faith, Sally Ann Connolly, Parishioner