BOSTON-After months of lobbying the Archdiocese of Boston, the Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Development Corp. has acquired a shuttered church in this largely Hispanic community for $6 million. Blessed Sacrament, which was put on the market last year, is one of several churches that were put up for sale by the archdiocese due to changes in population, an exodus from cities to the suburbs and a decrease in the number of active Catholics.
The local development group will take title to the 115-year-old landmark, which is located between Jackson and Hyde Squares in Jamaica Plain. The purchase also contains four additional buildings, including a convent, on the three-acre property.
An official with the development corporation tells GlobeSt.com that the church will be converted into condominiums and apartments for use by middle- and low-income families while the convent will be used as permanent housing for the homeless. Plans call for a building to be erected on the site of the rectory that will include retail and office space for small businesses in the neighborhood along with an affordable-housing component. The site may also include townhomes, an expanded Compass school, parking and common areas. New Atlantic Corp. a locally based development firm, will be in charge of the construction.
© Arc, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to TMSalesOperations@arc-network.com. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.