Due to structural damage, Southbridge church to partially close

By Bill Doyle | CFP Correspondent

Notre Dame Church at 446 Main St. in Southbridge is scheduled to partially close on Saturday, due to structural damage on the facade on the south elevation of the building that could pose a safety risk, according to Father Carlos F. Ardila, pastor of St. John Paul II Parish.

All weekend Masses and main liturgies will be transferred to St. Mary Church at 247 Hamilton St., two blocks away. Notre Dame and St. Mary churches form St. John Paul II Parish.

Previously booked weddings and funerals at Notre Dame Church will be permitted, but with restrictions. No other weddings will be booked there for 2026, and, until further notice, no agenda will be released for 2027.

Father Ardila posted notices about the damage and closure on social media and the parish’s website.

Father Ardila said he was not sure when Notre Dame would reopen. He said the preliminary estimate to repair the church facade ranges from $550,000 to $625,000.

“That’s a rough estimate,” he said. “Obviously, that number could go up. It’s not going to go down.”

Father Ardila said it was too soon to decide how to raise such a total or to know how long it would take to repair the church.

“It’s a very difficult, huge conversation and a lot of people are frustrated by this and I understand why,” he said.

The parish will perform an occupancy assessment to determine restrictions for allowed events at Notre Dame. Meetings with diocesan and town officials will determine the next steps and solutions.

Notre Dame Church was built by French-Canadian mill workers and opened in 1916. Notre Dame merged in 2010 with Sacred Heart of Jesus and merged again in 2011 with St. Mary and St. Hedwig to form St. John Paul II Parish.

Father Ardila pointed out that St. John Paul II Parish is not alone, that parishes throughout the nation are dealing with deteriorating church buildings.

“We know that the body of Christ is not a church building,” he said, “but I am very aware of peoples’ mixed feelings with this. They’re hurt. So many people in Southbridge have love for French Canadians and I understand their pain and I understand their love for how everyone is proud of such an iconic church. Even people who have never been to Mass, they love to see the church when they drive into Southbridge.”

Father Ardila said he will do his best to help his parishioners cope with this closure.  
“I’m always open to experiencing this grief with them as they see their heritage being in trouble,” he said. “Even though we don’t know what’s going to happen, a really important thing for us to do is to accompany the people in their grief and mourning.”

St. Mary Church is a little more than half the size of Notre Dame Church, which can seat about 1,300 people, but Father Ardila said St. Mary’s can accommodate everyone.

Parishioners have become accustomed to attending Mass at St. Mary’s because Notre Dame Church closes each winter from the week after Christmas to Palm Sunday to save on heating costs.

Robert Fulmer of Fulmer Associates LLC submitted a report last November that found masonry, wall and roof issues. In September, the parish received another 24-page report that revealed that the south elevation of the church was structurally unstable and in need of urgent restoration.

Multiple stress fractures due to age, water damage and movement have caused the marble block veneer to separate from the inner brick wall and Father Ardila said the problem presents a significant safety issue. Photos from 2018 showed that the stress fractures had already begun to develop.

The fractures run from below the belfry floor level and through the organ mechanical chamber, one level above the organ pipe chamber, and into the organ pipe loft. The fractures run vertically and are about 18 inches long.

Scaffolding was installed outside the church for overhead protection, but more must be done. Fencing will be erected in the south elevation area to protect the building and ensure public safety.  

The risk of injury is primarily confined to the outside area surrounding the facade, so the three main doors will be closed.  

In addition, playing the organ causes vibrations that could weaken the facade, so the choir loft will be off limits.

“We don’t really know when something is going to happen,” Father Ardila said. “It could be today, it could be in 10 years, but we know it’s going to happen if we don’t fix it. With the information we have right now, the people inside of the church will be safe if something happens, but obviously you don’t want to be walking around the facade area if something falls.”

St. Mary Church was found to have problems with the roof and water infiltration, but Father Ardila said they were manageable and didn’t pose any risks to the public.

“Right now, it doesn’t represent a big concern of any sort,” he said.

Anyone with questions may contact Father Ardila at 508-765-3701 or [email protected].