Church, rectory could get new life as housing units.

Byline: Ellie Oleson

AUBURN - Selectmen last night heard a plan to convert a historic Catholic church, the rectory next door and St. Edmund's Community Center into housing.

In 1869, a Roman Catholic church was built at 188 Oxford St., later to be replaced by the large brick St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church across the street. The original small church was later used as a youth center and gymnasium before being closed several years ago.

In 1900, a rectory was built next door at 194 Oxford St., and in 1965, the church added St. Edmund's Community Center at 68 Central St., which has been used for worship and Eagle Scout ceremonies as well as classroom teaching and such events as wedding receptions, teen dances and Rose of Tralee pageants.

Last night, selectmen heard a proposal to turn the 1869 church building, the 1900 rectory, St. Edmund's, and surrounding land into a "total of 64 to 67 housing units," according to Ted Carman, president of Concord Square Development Co. Inc. of Boston.

In an interview before last night's board meeting, Mr. Carman said that he has no plans to tear down any of the historic buildings, but to convert them into housing while adding additional homes to the adjacent land.

"We have not bought the properties yet, but we do have a purchase and sales agreement with St. Joseph's through next year. That gives us a year to arrange financing, get building permits, get zoning changes and so on," Mr. Carman said.

Elizabeth L. Prouty, chairwoman of the Board of Selectmen, pointed out that before any building, the plan would have to be approved by the Planning Board and town meeting, where a two-thirds vote would be required to approve a zoning change.

Mr. Carman said that St. Joseph's Parish planned to use the funds from the sale to expand the church on church-owned property on the same side of Oxford Street as the existing church.

Mr. Carman told selectmen that his plan includes dividing St. Edmund's into "16 loft-style condos." Each unit would have an open design with a separate entrance and mezzanine space.

"The existing clerestory window will be preserved in the upper level," he said. "It will be really cool."

An additional 16 single-family homes would be built on the land next to the community center, with a "common central area to provide a focal point."

The rectory would be divided into five condominiums, Mr. Carman said, adding, "It is a wonderful building with wood floors and large trees at the back. It will be restored and maintained."

The old church and youth center, "which is now in some disrepair," he said, would be converted into town houses in the gymnasium area at the back. He said the plan for the front is not finalized, although "we would restore the front to original condition."

An additional 22 town houses would be built behind the rectory on land that is church-owned.

"The centerpiece would be a courtyard in the center of the development. We can create an exceptional place for people to live," he said.

Mr. Carman, an architect of the state's 40R and 40S legislation, which offer incentives for mixed-use development, said that 20 percent of the planned homes would be "affordable, in the range of $150,000 to $180,000" so that the developments would qualify for the incentives for the town.

The other 80 percent of the homes would likely sell in the mid-$200,000 to high $300,000 range, he estimated, noting that such a development would help to increase the value of area properties.

He said anyone wanting to learn more about the plans is invited to attend meetings with him at 6 p.m. tomorrow at St. Edmund's Center or at 6 p.m. Thursday in the Pastoral Center beneath the sanctuary in St. Joseph's Church.