A 174-year-old church in Dansville began being torn down Tuesday after partially collapsing over the weekend, according to WHAM. The former St. Patrick’s Church, built in 1851, was deemed unsafe after its wall gave way Saturday afternoon.
Local residents, many with deep ties to the church, expressed sorrow over the loss. Paul Constantine of the Dansville Historical Society said the church was central to generations of life events—from childhood to marriage.
While some mourn its demolition, others like longtime neighbor Brian Mastin see a chance for revitalization, hoping the cleared space will bring a new public use to the corner lot.
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