By SANDY McGEE

BELLINGHAM — A historic church building, which has been vacant for years, was demolished yesterday to make way for a new Walgreens.

The former Assumption Parish on Pulaski Boulevard, once known as the central parish for many local Catholics, was torn down Monday morning. Several former parishioners came out to watch the historic building disappear from the area known as Crook’s Corner.
“There are a lot of good memories here,” said Bill Laplante, an Assumption parishioner. “My father was one of the first altar boys here. They started the church in a tent across the street in the parking lot.”
Built in 1927, Assumption Parish had been vacant for several years since its closing by the Archdiocese of Boston.
In 2004, the archdiocese announced it would permanently close 60 churches throughout the state in order to finance settlements caused by the clergy abuse scandal. The Assumption Parish, which was reported to be in need of costly repairs, was one of the churches closed.
Prior to its closing, the parish received shocking news about a former pastor.
In 2002, Paul Desilets, the parish’s former associate pastor, was indicted on 27 counts of indecent assault and battery, including 16 involving children under age 14. Desilets pleaded guilty to the charges and served 17 months in prison.
After its closing, the diocese merged the parish with St. Blaise Church on South Main Street.
The property was eventually sold to Mitchell Laplante, who just this past month sold the church building and surrounding property to Arista Development of Norwood, Mass.
The sale price is unknown at this time. In 2008, the land and building’s fiscal value was $773,400, according to the Assessor’s Office.
The parish rectory, located across the street from the church, was not part of the transaction. The Assumption Parish Rectory, which was damaged in a fire this past February, has been vacant for more than five years.
Now owned by Arista Development, the church land will be the future site of the town’s second Walgreens store.
According to Town Administrator Denis Fraine, the design of the new store will parallel the Walgreens built recently on Mechanic Street near Town Hall. The development of that store was also under the direction of Arista.
Demolition, which is under the direction of the Regional Industrial Services Corp. of Bellingham, began at the Assumption Parish site on Nov. 25. Before Monday, demolition crews had taken down two houses along Wrentham Road, including the site of the former Destiny Limousine Co.
On Monday, in the blink of an eye, a single swing by a steel beam dismantled the Assumption Parish church tower. Only minutes later, the historic church’s facade was toppled by a giant metal crane.
“It’s exciting,” said Michelle Brunetti, who watched with her cell phone camera ready in hand. “Since my parents live in Florida, I’m going to send them pictures.”
Brunetti’s family has a long history at the parish.
“I got married in this church,” she said. “My children were baptized here. I taught religious classes here. We spent a lot of time here.”
Like many area residents, Brunetti is delighted to see a change at the busy intersection.
“I think at this point, it’s been a mess,” she said. “I’m looking forward to it being cleaned up.”
“I’m glad to see it go,” said Ronald Lussier, owner of ThunderMist Car Wash on Pulaski Boulevard. “It’s great to see modern commercial development in the old business district.”
One local resident expressed disapproval of the church’s demolition.
“It is an eyesore, but you get used to it,” said Christina Rose. “We’ll have to see what happens when it’s built. I’m worried about traffic and the appearance of our area.”
“It (the construction) is better than having an empty building,” said Bellingham Patrol Officer Stephanie Lemon, who attended public classes at the former Assumption School. According to Lemon, the town at one time rented space for public classes in the parochial school.
Lussier also attended services at the church and classes at the former Assumption School.
“I went to school here for eight years in the 60s,” he said. “They used to use the church hall for many functions. A ham and bean supper was held once a year.”
Lussier also recalled a not-so-traditional use for a church hall.
“They used to have boxing matches and training for boxers in the church hall,” he said. “It was designed like a gym. Many people came to watch the matches.”
Construction of Walgreens is expected to begin immediately after demolition is completed. The former Assumption School, located at 40 Moody St. behind the church, is set to be demolished next week.