Grief and optimism

PROVO — Emotionally speaking, this week's razing of St. Francis Catholic Church in Provo was a mixed bag for many Provo residents.

For months, historic preservationists negotiated with developers to reach an agreement that would spare the historic Spanish Mission-style Catholic Church from demolition.

After the two groups failed to close a $1.3 million deal April 19, the building was removed from the Provo Landmarks Register, which allowed demolition teams to descend on the building Monday morning.

"We literally feel like it's the afternoon of a funeral," said Tom Heal, real estate consultant for Historic Provo Preservation Foundation. "We're disappointed in how (the developers) handled the situation."

The foundation agreed to pay $1.25 million to Landmark Partners, a Lindon-based real estate company, for the church, Heal said. The group managed to raise $1.3 million, according to an e-mail from Cole Fowler of Inwest Title.

But Landmark Partners attorney Adam Ford said the foundation showed them no concrete proof of funds by the deadline at 5:30 p.m. April 19.

"We're sad the community group was unable to gather the funds," he said. "If they had kept the terms of the deal they made ... they would have the property, including the building, today."

The development company plans to develop the land.

Julie Boerio-Goates, a St. Francis of Assisi parishioner and BYU chemistry professor, said she's disappointed the church wasn't spared — but she looks forward to worshipping in a real church again.

Provo resident L. Wilson Thomas, 83, and his wife — St. Francis of Assisi parishioners for about 66 years — watched the tractor's front scoop tear down the front doors that he'd walked through thousands of times.

He said it was a sorrowful experience seasoned with optimism.

"It was not pleasant to see it go," Wilson said. "But the sale of this property is one important step that is going to provide us with the construction of a new church.

For the past seven years the parish has worshipped in a gym in Orem, Wilson explained, where they have to sit on folding chairs and kneel on a hard concrete floor.

"It ain't pleasant," he said. "My knees give out quickly."

With the sale of the old church property, Wilson said, the parish members hope to begin plans for a new church.

"I hope I live long enough to see it," he said. "I don't want a funeral in a gymnasium; I want a funeral in a church."

Kurt Peterson, a member of Historic Provo Preservation Foundation, said he feels the church was destroyed unnecessarily.

"I feel like it's yet another piece of Provo's heritage that's been tossed out the window," he said. "It was one of the few pieces of our heritage that was not LDS, it was diverse. It spoke of a minority that worked hard to build that church. It's very sad to see it go."

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