Church razes circa-1939 house to make way for parking lot

By Allison Brophy Champion

Published: July 23, 2008

Crews demolished a two-story brick house behind Precious Blood Catholic Church Wednesday to make way for a dozen new church parking spots.

The house, located at the corner of North East and Piedmont streets on the fringes of the town’s historic district, was built in 1939.

Precious Blood, which fronts on Main Street, purchased the property at 414 N. East St. in 1998 and had rented it out until recently, said Joelle Santolla, communications director for the Catholic Diocese of Arlington, of which Precious Blood is part.

The decision was made to tear the house down to deal with a parking shortage for parishioners of Precious Blood, she said.

“They did not have enough parking for those attending mass on Sunday,” Santolla said. “They told me that they have had parking issues spilling out into the street so every extra spot helps, especially for safety.”

Last month, the Town Planning Commission approved a site plan for the 12-space parking lot, which will supplement existing church parking.

Allison Brophy Champion can be reached at 825-0771 ext. 101 or