April 2, 2010
St. Mary Church, Washington, slated for demolition
Structural cracks, water damage and mold in the former St. Mary Church building in Washington led to the decision to demolish the structure.
The Church of the Immaculate Conception, more commonly known as St. Mary’s Church in Washington was built for the local German Catholic population in August of 1876. The building has been va-cant since its closing on August 17, 2008. On August 31, 2008 the congregation merged with St. Simon’s congregation and be-came Our Lady of Hope.
The bells were sold to Mary’s Children Retreat Center for the center’s new Friary in Bloom-ington, Ind., according to information provided by the Washington parish. The steeple cross will be erected in a place of honor at St. John’s Cemetery along with the cornerstone. The prayerful stained glass windows were removed by Adrian Hamers, Inc., and taken to New York where they are being shown to prospective buyers. The pews were sold at public auction. The Stations of the Cross and HVAC equipment were bartered in exchange for demolition work.