NORTH ATTLEBORO - The bell tower of the historic Grace Episcopal Church in the downtown partially collapsed two months ago, forcing the congregation to look for a new home.
Our partners at The Sun Chronicle ran a front-page story on Thursday detailing how the town’s building commissioner condemned the 93-year-old church.
The cause of the partial collapse was water damage over a long period of time, the Rev. Nancy McAdams told the newspaper.
Mike Kirby reported insurance is insufficient to make repairs needed to reopen the building, which is on the National Register of Historic Places.
About $2 million would be needed to make the necessary repairs, an amount too large for the 50-member congregation, Mc Adams said.
The congregation is still considering options on what it will do; selling the property is among the leading options, she said.
The congregration, which was first organized in 1858, has been worshipping at St. John’s Episcopal Churh in Franklin, where McAdams also serves as minister.
The congregation is also considering merging with All Saints Episcopal Church in Attleboro, according to a newsletter to the congregrants.
The congregation is not considering closing down, McAdams said.
The partial collapse occurred on May 18.
