This was written by my brother Charlie Giguere, which best describes how many family's feel. It was submitted to the editor of our local paper.

Shame on all of us, including myself, for standing by silently while we await the demolition of the historic building that once housed Saint Francis de Sales Church on Elm Street. The building was constructed in 1872 and it has been a centerpiece of Waterville since inception. Our children, and our children's children, will someday look at vintage photos of Waterville and wonder why this structure was not preserved. They will surely be disappointed with our complacency.

I understand that there are fewer practicing Catholics, myself included, and therefore the building is no longer needed as a church. This in no reason to tear down this historic structure. We have found alternate uses for other equally important structures. We found a use for the old Post Office, the Sterns Building, the Hathaway building, the former Waterville High School on Gilman Street and for the former Christian Science Church on School Street. None of these success stories included demolition. There is a use for the Saint Francis de Sales building and we should set our minds to find it so we can preserve its significance to Waterville's early days.

We are told by the diocese that this destruction is acceptable because the building will resurrect itself as senior housing, thus the greater good. I don't buy it. I would guess someone is making money on this transition and it is at the expense of my heritage and that of our community. Do we really need more senior housing? I am told the neighboring building, Elm Towers, has a consistent vacancy rate of between 10 and 15 percent. And, if there is truly a need for senior housing, then let us find a vacant lot and build. Do not steal our history and our historic structures.

Am I taking this personally? Probably so. My parents were married at Saint Francis along with most of their brothers and sisters. Most of them also had their final service there. I was the lead altar boy at the church for years. I was born in Waterville, raised here, brought up my family here, and have been here for all but four years when I was away at college. I certainly feel entitled to an opinion.

Have we given up on preserving our history and our architectural prizes and then, in another breath, lament the fact that our children leave to live somewhere else? Preserving our community includes preserving our history and the Saint Francis de Sales Church is our history as well as being architecturally significant. Let us not go quietly into the night. If you agree, let's make some noise. Contact the Diocese at Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland P.O. Box 11559 Portland, ME 04104 or email Mayor Karen Heck at mayor1@waterville-me.gov.

Charlie Giguere

It's beyond my understanding how something as beautiful & historical as St. Francis de Sales church could be demolished. Many weddings, baptisms & midnight masses, were attended by my family & many other familes in the community. My parents married & also renewed there vow's in celebration of there 50th anniversary. There were many church suppers & monetary donations given for the renewal of its interior & imported mosaics that adorn the back walls.
When my family would travel for vacation to other states or Canada, the catholic church was a place that we always visited. I remember sitting in amazement at the beauty of pipe organs, beautiful ceilings, & stained glass windows. St. Francis is one of those churches, with the same beauty people want to visit. It surprises me that with the strong beliefs of the catholic faith, that this is not considered sacrilegious.
Notra Dame church on silver street would be easier to convert into housing and doesn't hold the beauty and historical value that should be considered valuable.
Claire Ocando
Charlie Giguere's sister