Church Sale Includes Moving Loved Ones From Its Churchyard Graves

WAYLAND, MA—With a sale of the Church of the Holy Spirit comes changes with the property, including the possibility that the bodies from the grave sites that surround it may have to be moved.

The Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts sold the church and its property in February, sending a letter to its congregation informing them of the sale and of the conditions of having to move those buried in the churchyard, reports The Boston Globe.

After five decades of serving the community, the Church of the Holy Spirit in made the announcement it would close its doors in May of 2015.

Rev. Frederick Moser announced that members have voted to close the Episcopal church “because we can no longer provide the services and programs that we would like to offer to Wayland and the surrounding area.”

The parish was incorporated in 1961 and met originally in members’ homes, Happy Hollow School, and Parmenter Health Center. The church building at 169 Rice Road was dedicated in 1963. The church maintained an active schedule of Sunday worship services, Sunday School, youth programs, adult education and musical activities.

Two men who spoke to the Globe said that the church members weren't consulted before the sale took place, and that it was "implied" that their loved ones would have be be moved regardless of their wishes.

The Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts in a statement said that they'd not remove remains if they didn't receive permission to do so, and several aren't giving permission, including Chris Woodcock and Bruce Turner who both visit loved ones' sites, reports WCVB-TV.

The Diocese profited $1.8 million from the sale, reports the Globe, but one man who is upset about it told the paper the property was originally "paid for by the people who are buried here."

In the statement from the Diocese, it was noted that Wayland's North Cemetery is available for those families whose loved ones remains are moved, reports WCVB.

After five decades of serving the community, the Church of the Holy Spirit in Wayland announced it would close its doors in May of 2015.

Rev. Frederick Moser announced that members have voted to close the Episcopal church “because we can no longer provide the services and programs that we would like to offer to Wayland and the surrounding area.”

The parish was incorporated in 1961 and met originally in members’ homes, Happy Hollow School, and Parmenter Health Center. The church building at 169 Rice Road was dedicated in 1963. The church maintained an active schedule of Sunday worship services, Sunday School, youth programs, adult education and musical activities.

Photo via Church of the Holy Spirit