ackerman - Award of CPA funds for St John’s Cantius.pdf7/6/22, 9:53 AM City of Northampton Mail - Award of CPA funds for St John’s Cantius
https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ik=fec0f72d97&view=pt&search=all&permthid=thread-f%3A1737460497312188075%7Cmsg-f%3A17374604973121…1/1
Sarah LaValley <slavalley@northamptonma.gov>
Award of CPA funds for St John’s Cantius
1 message
Holly Ackerman <jalipsstoye@yahoo.com>Mon, Jul 4, 2022 at 5:50 PM
To: slavalley@northamptonma.gov
Cc: mhl@marthalyon.com
Community Preservation Committee
Northampton City Government
C/O Sarah LaValley
Northampton, MA July 4, 2022
Dear Committee Members,
I write to urge your approval of the O’Connell Development Group's (ODG) request for $500,000 in Community
Preservation Act (CPA) funding to save St. John Cantius Church from demolition, restore the exterior of the church to
historic preservation standards, and provide the city with a permanent historic preservation easement.
I am a recent retiree/homeowner in Northampton and often walk the city streets to acquaint myself with its downtown.
After leaving mail at the post office I stroll down Hawley Street where the sight of the church is uplifting, particularly when
compared to the surrounding area. I find that I also use the bell tower as a point of reference as I travel by car. The
building speaks to the ethnic history and architectural beauty of Northampton and should be preserved.
I am not originally from Northampton but grew up in a small textile-factory town in Central New York where neighbors who
emigrated from Poland to the U.S. also built a church and community center as part of their new home. I can imagine that
Northampton’s Polish community has roots at St. John Cantius and that its erasure would leave a scar on several levels
both for current and future generations.
Additionally, I understand that ODG plans to convert the church to housing in this core area - another plus for the use of
CPA funds. I will follow the process of this application with interest and hope you will approve the request.
Best wishes,
Holly Ackerman, Ph.D.
25A Lyman Road
Northampton, MA 01060
305-467-8454
jalipsstoye@yahoo.com
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