MONTAGUE — Stained glass panels, religious statues and other artifacts are being kept safe and sound as demolition commences at the Farren Care Center, parent company Trinity Health of New England assured town officials earlier this month.

The Selectboard and Historical Commission each discussed Trinity Health’s letter, which detailed what artifacts are being stored where, on Monday. Originally sent to Town Administrator Steve Ellis on April 10, the letter fulfills a request for specifications that was shared with the company on March 28.

The former long-term care facility on Montague City Road, which closed in April 2021, received a demolition recommendation in November of that year, with parent company Trinity Health of New England getting the go-ahead to proceed on Dec. 6, 2022 when the Historical Commission opted not to invoke the town’s demolition delay bylaw. Once demolition is complete, the plot of land will be loamed, seeded and given to the town. Either the Selectboard or the Montague Economic Development and Industrial Corporation — a semi-public town organization that can buy and sell property — could take possession.

Historical Commission Chair David Brule said last year that his “understanding is that many of the religious aspects will be removed or be retained by the family,” referencing the descendants of the Farren’s architect, for whom the building is named. The Diocese of Springfield was given the option to keep religious artifacts, according to Trinity Health.

According to the letter written by Eric Dana, vice president of operations for Trinity Health Senior Communities, all of the religious artifacts from the Farren’s chapel were donated to Thomas Aquinas College in Northfield, as were the kitchen’s small statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary and some of the building’s stained glass.

The large stained glass panel from the front of the oldest building constructed in 1900, some smaller stained glass panels, chapel pews and statues are being stored in an external garage and inside the property’s preserved house at 356 Montague City Road. Dana noted that if the Historical Society or town has interest, Trinity Health would consider donating the large stained glass panel. Historical Commission and Historical Society member Ed Gregory told the Historical Commission Monday that he would be interested in having the panel on display at the Historical Society’s museum.

Other items Trinity Health aims to preserve include exterior plaques and dedications, two pallets of bricks from the oldest building, the two pillars on Montague City Road, the Montague City Road stone wall and “as many trees as possible.”

Assistant Town Administrator Walter Ramsey projected toward the middle of last month that external demolition could have begun as early as the end of March. As of Wednesday, interior demolition is ongoing and there is no set date for the beginning of external demolition. Workers at the site explained that utilities must be disconnected beforehand.

“As we complete the abatement process and move toward obtaining a demolition permit from the town,” Dana wrote to Ellis, “we will share the appropriate documentation with the building commissioner as requested.”

Reach Julian Mendoza at 413-930-4231 or jmendoza@recorder.com.

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