Closed churches’ statues headline redevelopment

Audio By Carbonatix

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. — A century-old, cast iron statue of the Virgin Mary that once provided inspiration to Roman Catholic worshipers at Immaculate Conception Church now stands as the artistic and spiritual centerpiece of the newly christened Piazza Maria, just a few blocks away from her former home. On the other side of the street, hand-carved stone statues of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and St. Columba – once found at what was formerly St. Columba Church – are on display outside of Brigid’s Cross, a religious and spiritual store. A property development company is working to repurpose elements of the community’s ethnic and religious history in modern ways.