St. Joseph will be used for cremains, not celebrations, bishop clarifies

LACONIA — The bishop of Manchester has clarified that St. Joseph Church won’t be available for celebratory uses, such as baptisms or weddings, when it is repurposed as a columbarium.

Previous reporting included information from local sources who understood those uses would be acceptable in the plan decided upon between the Diocese of Manchester and local preservationists, the effect of which is saving the 1929 stone church from demolition.

“The chapel/columbarium is exclusively dedicated to the Church’s reverence for the deceased and in particular for those whose cremains are entombed there. Consequently, any other ceremonies or uses would be in a completely inappropriate place and out of order,” Bishop Peter Libasci wrote in an emailed statement.

Previous reporting also indicated the structure had been slated for demolition. The diocese had applied for a permit to demolish the building, but that application was never approved by the city. The application is no longer necessary now that the diocese plans to repair the building and renovate it as a space to deposit cremated human remains.