BRIEF: Demolition begins at Notre Dame Church in Worcester

Sept. 17--WORCESTER -- After years of discussion and protest, the demolition of the former Notre Dame des Canadiens Church is underway. A large crane began clawing away at the stone structure Monday afternoon.

The signature Romanesque Revival church has stood in downtown Worcester since 1929. Its large, French-Canadian parish dwindled over time; in 2010, the Roman Catholic Church deconsecrated the church and sold it to CitySquare II. The church is in the footprint of downtown revitalization.

Many, including Preservation Worcester, a nonprofit that aims to save historical structures in the city from the wrecking ball, opposed the idea of knocking down the church.

Last week, the bell was removed from the church steeple. The Hanover Insurance Group, principal investor in CitySquare, announced the company would donate the steeple bell as well as $10,000 and a portion of the land to the city to develop a memorial to preserve and display the bell.

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