new catholic church 4/12/01

Work progressing on new Catholic churchWhen new Our Lady of the Mountains in North Conway is complete, churches in Bartlett, Conway Village will closeLloyd JonesIt won't be too much longer until members of the Catholic Church can gather under one roof in North Conway Village. The new Our Lady of the Mountains Church is starting to take shape on an 8.5 acre parcel of land on the former site of the American Legion (across Route 16 from Video World). Laminated wooden beams were put in place last week and with each passing days church members can see their dream becoming a reality."Now that the snow is finally starting to go it's allowing us to do something," Father Gerry Belanger said, laughing, yesterday afternoon. "This has been in the planning stages since I arrived in June of 1988 that's when we really stated in earnest, but things had been in the works for a couple of years prior to then."The church, which is scheduled to be completed around Labor Day, will provide two-and-a-half times the seating as the current North Conway Our Lady of the Mountains Church. "There will be 650 seats in what we call the nave (sanctuary)," Father Gerry said, and the narthex can seat an additional 150 if we have an overflow."Father Gerry said the new church will also have a parish hall that can seat 200 along with a kitchen for suppers and other gatherings. Five classrooms are being built for adult education and to house community meetings. The rectory building will remain off the campus.The acoustics of the new church ought to be fabulous with the addition of a new organ. Father Gerry said it is still undecided at the moment if carpeting or quarry tile will cover the floor for the new church.Construction of the new, larger church, allows for the consolidation of the Bartlett and Conway Catholic churches into one location North Conway. "We will go from six to two buildings," Father Gerry explained. "It will be difficult when we close these little churches... In the high season we're doing nine masses in a weekend. I'm fortunate that I have help in Father Soucey (who turns 83 today) and Father Lambert. I think it's time for us to consolidate. I envision our cutting our masses from nine down to four on the weekend."Bartlett Catholic Church was the first Catholic church in Mount Washington Valley, opening in 1890. A priest from Whitefield used to ride the train to town to conduct masses. In 1902, Our Lady of the Mountains Parish was officially established in North Conway and has remained on the corner of Grove Street ever since. The original St. Charles Catholic Church was built in 1908 and modified in the 1950s. Father Gerry is looking forward to bringing the membership from three churches under one roof. "People are excited and yet at the same time a little apprehensive," he said. "We will look to the Holy Spirit for guidance."One thing Father Gerry believes will bring people together quickly is a parish property pride day, which will be held this fall to spruce up the grounds. "We have 8.5 acres," he said, "and we've got to do something to build up the three communities and bring them together and this will be a good step."The current North Conway Our Lady of the Mountains Church will remain a church. "We have a purchase and sales agreement with the Lutheran Church of the Nativity," Father Gerry said. "They're just as eager to move in as we are. It really won't be too much longer. We would like to have it happen while the summer residents are still around. The construction company is indicating it will be around Labor Day, whether it's on this end or the later end I guess really all depends on the weather."