The 36-year-old St. Mary’s Church on Main Street in Westbrook was demolished Friday.

Dianne Brazier, owner of Brazier’s Barber Shop, viewed the demolition from her shop. “It’s rather sad,” said Brazier, who was married at the St. Mary’s parish in 1968.

The Catholic Diocese of Portland sold the property after it consolidated three parishes in Westbrook. St. Mary’s opened its new church in April of 1973.

The parish had hoped to observe Christmas in its new building in 1972 but a leaky roof caused a delay. Before the new building opened, the church held Masses in the building that housed a parish hall and school.

Brazier said she heard the church was being demolished to make room for a parking lot. She said several people were stopping to take photos.

The demolition was a surprise to Roman Cook who has lived across Main Street for 10 years. “I didn’t know it was going to be torn down. It’s too bad,” Cook said,

Workman from Environ, the company demolishing the building, said Friday said the material would be recycled at Plan-It Recycling in Gorham.

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