Maine Irish Heritage Center: St. Dominics's Roman Catholic Church - Portland, ME
Maine
Maine Irish Heritage Center, formerly St. Dominic's Roman Catholic Church Portland, ME
Credit: www.maineirish.com
PROJECT DETAILS
Project Name: Maine Irish Heritage Center
Historic Name: St. Dominic’s Roman Catholic Church
Denomination: Roman Catholic
Construction Date: 1888-1893
Date of Closure: 1997
Date of Sale: Sale by denomination:1997; sold to the city of Portland in 2000 then sold by the city to the nonprofit in 2001
Date of Reuse: 2002-2004
Address: State and Gray Streets Portland, Maine
Neighborhood: The Maine Irish Heritage Center is located within Portland’s museum district and is part of a connection to the designated arts corridor.
Reuse: (Principal) Irish Heritage and Cultural Center. (Secondary) Community center, library, genealogy center, performance space, and a suite of office space for a non-profit organization.
Project Cost: $1,200,000
Scope of work: Few interior alterations were made – pews were put on rollers, an elevator lift was installed, altar space changed into a performance space, and an extra exit in the basement was added for fire code compliance.
Resolution: A coalition of community members organized to save St. Dominic’s parish and effectively persuaded the city and diocese to let the community develop a use for the building.
When the diocese of Portland, ME announced the closure of St. Dominic’s parish in 1997, many of the congregation and community members were fearful of what would happen to the historic building. The perseverance of the citizens who wanted the building to be used as an active meeting space caused public officials and social service agencies to support a new use. Their tenacity has meant that the former Catholic church will be used as a vibrant collaboration of social programs, affordable housing, a community center, and an educational heritage facility.
The Maine Irish Heritage Center has been modified to become an acoustically balanced sanctuary that has seating for over 400 people. A community room has also been altered to seat an additional 300 people. The intact stained glass windows in the sanctuary space will be complemented by artwork celebrating Celtic or Irish holidays, such as a recent Bloomsday Centenary Exhibit and St. Patrick’s Day.
The building houses a non--profit museum, library and genealogy areas, along with an arts and cultural center and community center. Once renovations are entirely complete, the center will be used for Irish language and dance lessons, lectures on Irish heritage and dance or theater performances.
A permanent tenant will occupy part of the building – The Irish American Club – and additional space will be available for other area non--profit organizations for their board retreats or meetings.
The stated purpose of the Maine Irish Heritage Center is to create a unique cultural center for visitors to interpret and understand the heritage of Irish immigrants in Maine while preserving and restoring the former St. Dominic’s Church. The project has required a unique collaboration of private and public financing and has also included the creation of twelve affordable housing units on the parish property.
The Maine Irish Heritage Center has been effective in utilizing local and well--known politicians and community members to publicize their cause. Former Senator George Mitchell was the honorary chair of the fundraising committee and John O’Dea, the current executive director, has served in the state legislature. Many of the members of the board are natives of Portland, of Irish heritage and have backgrounds in non--profit management or litigation. Their professional knowledge, tenacity and connections have helped to effectively garner support for the MIHC’s capital campaign.
For more information contact:
John J. O`Dea
Executive Director
Maine Irish Heritage Center
(207) 780-0118
www.maineirish.com
Submitted by Anonymous at: June 4, 2009
Doesn`t anyone think that the next reunion for St. Dom`s should have some nice slow music for background or waltzing??? I think the crowd would like it!