Autism Services Organization To Take Over Sacred Heart In Vernon

VERNON, CT — Strong Foundations Autism Services will soon take over the former Sacred Heart Church property on Route 30.

That was the word from Vernon Economic Development Coordinator Shaun Gately on Thursday. Last week, he said town officials are anticipating a closing on Sacred Heart soon, while adding the interested buyer wanted to remain anonymous until all the paperwork becomes official.

Strong Foundations officials came forward, through Gately, on Thursday afternoon. The price is undisclosed, but the 7-acre property has been on the market for $900,000.

All 7 acres will be used and the school building, after a few minor alterations, will house most of the services, Gately said. The local address of the property is 550 Hartford Turnpike.

Strong Foundations currently uses space at St. Joseph Church at the corner of Union Street and West Street in Vernon.

The property, owned by the Catholic Discese of Norwich, has drawn interest for months, but the transaction was contingent partly upon the demolition of "the old condemned structures." That happened in March, when the church was razed.

The diocese took over the property about a year-and-a-half ago after the merger of the Sacred Heart and St. Bernard parishes in Vernon. Sacred Heart had been using the adjacent former school facilities for weekend Masses, other church services and activities.

The 13,717-square-foot former church building was ordered closed in 1997 because of structural problems and falling chunks of concrete. Repairs were deemed cost-prohibitive.

In recent years, it had been the target of trespassers and vandals, police said.