Help save St. Joseph Church.

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Updates:

March 13, 2023 – Update on St Joseph Church, Laconia – Rev Drouin (pdf)

January 9, 2023 – Bishop Letter (pdf)

December 22 Response – St. Joseph Church Preservation Society (doc)

December 9th Update – Rev. Drouin (pdf)

FUNDRAISING GOAL:

$2,000,000

Pledged to Date: $450,000

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Busiel House Tours in Collaboration with the LHMS Lake City Steeplechase 5K

May 20, 2023

Join the St Joseph Church Preservation Society at the finish line of the Lake City Steeplechase 5k to support church restoration efforts, light refreshments will be served beginning at 10:45, following the race. Tours will be offered of the historic Busiel House, formerly St Joseph Church rectory and currently owned by Mandie & Ian Hagan. Tour donations to benefit the St Joseph Church Preservation Society. Tours from 9:00 -12:00 Minimum Donation: $25.00 per family.

Laconia Historical & Museum Society’s – Lake City Steeplechase 5K event

In a throwback to the original Steeplechase held in 18th century Ireland run, walk, or skip along the WOW Trail from the United Baptist Church in Lakeport to St. Joseph Church in downtown Laconia, while maneuvering around, through, over, or under obstacles along the way!

5K Donation: $25/pp or $40/family

Starting Line – United Baptist Church of Lakeport at 10:00 am. Tours of the United Baptist Church of Lakeport starting at 9:30 am – No charge To register visit: laconiahistory.com

5K Proceeds benefit LHMS, St Joseph Church Preservation Society & United Baptist Church of Lakeport.

Call to Action

Utilize the Contact Us form to provide the St Joseph Church Preservation Society with feedback on Rev. Marc Drouin’s proposal. We would like to hear from you.

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We need your help!

Stay tuned to this website for future information on how to help save the Church.

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St. Joseph Church Preservation Society
PO Box 145, Laconia, NH 03247

Rally of community support On May 11, 2019, the Laconia Daily Sun reported “Preservationists rally to support St. Joseph Church.” In addition to numerous parishioners and concerned citizens, the city’s Heritage Commission and The NH Preservation Alliance took an interest in saving the church. In early June the City met to create an Historic District, however it was unable to stop the Diocese from filing a demolition permit on June 10, 2019. On August 4, 2019 a crowd of people formed a human ring around St. Joseph Church expressing their desire to save the church from demolition. This made a difference, but the demolition permit still exists!
St. Joseph Church Preservation Society On August 20, 2020, a letter from St. Joseph Church Preservation Society Board was sent to Pastor, Reverend Marc Drouin stating the Society’s mission and steadfast and unrelenting commitment to preserve the church. In May 2021, the Society achieved 501(c)3 status and has now raised over $400,000 in donations and pledges.
Common goals On August 25, 2020, Pastor Drouin acknowledged the Society’s letter indicating he would continue to be in discussion with the Diocese regarding the matters raised in the letter. On September 22, 2020, members of the St Joseph Church Preservation Society met with Pastor Drouin, Monsignor Richard Thompson, Finance Advisory Committee members Paul Simoneau and Thomas Garrity. The Society left the meeting uplifted by the willingness of both groups to work collaboratively to preserve the church.
Uphill battle Through 2020, Pastor Drouin repeatedly declined attending the St Joseph Church Preservation Society’s monthly meetings indicating there were no updates to report. On May 13, 2021, the Society sent a letter to Bishop Libasci and Pastor Drouin inviting collaboration, stating the mission to preserve the church and the organization’s 501(c)3 status. However, on June 7, 2021, Bishop Libasci’s reply stated, “As this is the first notice I have received of the establishment of the Society or its intentions, I am not prepared to respond at this time…” Denying he knew of the Society despite Pastor Drouin’s contact with the Diocese.
St. Joseph Church closed to personal prayer The March 27, 2022 parish bulletin announced: “Until further notice, St Joseph will, unfortunately, no longer be open for prayer as we investigate a potential mold issue in the church.” This notice was followed by a donation offer to remediate the mold. The donation was rejected.
Letters ignored Letters dated April 15, 2022 and September 24, 2022 were sent to Bishop Libasci from the Society outlining a proposal to permanently resolve the future of St Joseph Church for prayer and Catholic worship. The Diocese has not responded.
Help save St. Joseph Church Don’t let neglect or perception that it doesn’t matter be the justification for demolishing St. Joseph Church, when generous donors and the St. Joseph Church Preservation Society are willing to do the work to restore and maintain the church for future generations!

Our MISSION

The mission of the St Joseph Church Preservation Society is to retain in perpetuity St Joseph Church, 30 Church Street, Laconia, NH, as a sacred place of Roman Catholic worship. Honoring the spiritual and historical significance of St Joseph Church, we are committed to raising the necessary funds associated with the church’s continued maintenance and care.

VISION

Our vision is that individuals, families and the community will be enriched by Roman Catholic worship at St. Joseph Church, 30 Church Street, Laconia, NH, for all generations.

VALUES

Our values are to honor the spiritual and historical significance of St. Joseph Church; protect it as a valued, sacred place of Roman Catholic worship; and preserve it for all future generations, in perpetuity.

Who we are

The St. Joseph Preservation Society was formed in August 2019 when it was announced that St. Joseph Church would be demolished. Led by Linda Normandin, the society sought the help of an attorney with expertise in church preservation and Vatican law. The society’s goal was to reverse the decision to demolish the building and raise the funds necessary to work in conjunction with St. Andre Bessette Parish to keep the church open and in good repair, without being a financial strain on the parish. We are members of the community and parish who value the historical, spiritual, and cultural significance of this beautiful building and are committed to preserving it as a place of prayer and reflection.

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