During a time when congregations are dwindling and looking to consolidate, at least two churches in Southold Town could soon be on the market for sale, Town Supervisor Scott Russell said Tuesday.
Russell said there is a “growing concern for churches” in Southold. “This is an issue,” he said. “Sacred Heart is likely to be put on the market — it’s more or less being transferred out of the Diocese — and there is a rumor of another church that’s ready to close up.”
The supervisor said he could not divulge the name of the other church seeing to shut its doors in the near future.
For months, speculations has been swirling about whether the Sacred Heart Parish in Cutchogue would be sold; last year, Sean P. Dolan, spokesman for the Diocese of Rockville Centre, said no decisions had been made. Dolan did not return a call and message for comment on Tuesday.
Earlier this year, however, members of the church, the Cutchogue-New Suffolk Historical Council, and the church said they were working together to consider possible adaptive reuses should a sale commence.
On Tuesday, Russell said possible new zoning might be considered, and he suggested the Southold Town planning board weigh in.
Currently, churches in town are zoned agricultural conservation (AC) or Rural Residential Preservation (R-80), he said.
“We have a lot of historic churches and we need to think of a game plan. The last thing we want to see is people buying them and razing them,” Russell said.
Councilwoman Louisa Evans asked if the properties could be rezoned for adaptive reuse and said residential uses of former churches in some areas has been successful.
Councilman Bob Ghosio said former Councilman John Romanelli had looked to create a storage facility at one local church.
In the past, Russell said, the Greek Orthodox Church in Greenport once was congregated by a Presbyterian parish; churches could be adapted for new denominations, he said.
“But memberships are shrinking and a lot of churches are trying to consolidate their congregations, with less resources,” Russell said.
If the buildings are to be adapted for new uses, certain considerations, such as fire suppression systems, need to be considered, he added.
Evans said the town’s historic preservation commission should weigh in on what churches hold the most significant historic value.
“They all have a historic component, whether they were built 50 or 200 years ago,” Russell said.
He added that in the current climate, he believes the number of houses of worship on the market could swell. “I think it’s going to be a growing inventory,” he said.
The board agreed to ask the planning board for their thoughts on the issue and bring it up at a future meeting.
