SANFORD — A landmark that holds special memories for many – memories of christenings, the exchange of wedding vows, weekly Mass or of school lessons – is being transformed to make new memories.

For some senior citizens who will live at St. Ignatius Apartments, it will be a full-circle return to a place that figured largely in their youth and adulthood. Some tenants will have attended school here, some practiced their faith by attending Mass in the church. For other tenants of the planned 66-unit seniors apartment building, the space will be new to them, but it will be an affordable, comfortable home, say those involved with the project.

On Monday, the worksite of the former St. Ignatius Church and school property received a blessing, one to carry it through the construction period and beyond, as the property, which borders Winter, Main and St. Ignatius Streets, is prepared to be home to a number of folks 55 years old and older.

The former St. Ignatius High School, which closed in 1969, and St. Ignatius Church, which closed in 2010, will be renovated and enlarged with an addition. Officials with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland and its Diocesan Bureau of Housing say the one-bedroom units will be affordable. Mike Pease of the DBH said about half of the residents will be those whose maximum income is 50 percent of the median for the area, while the remainder may have an income of no more than 60 percent of the median.

Today, the asphalt in the parking area is crumbling, and there are weeds growing up the side of the honey-colored brick of the old school portion of the structure, vacant since the last students departed more than 45 years ago. But the weeds won’t be there for long. Inside, there is demolition work going on, and nearby, on the Winter Street side, the foundation for the addition is up. A spokesman from Pine Brook Construction of Kittery, which is overseeing the project, said walls for the addition will go up before winter, and workers hope to get the roof on early in the new year.

“What a wonderful day it is,” said Bishop Robert P. Deeley. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to bless the site and the beginning of construction.”

The building, noted the Rev. Philip Tracy, pastor of St. Therese of Lisieux Parish, “is a very cherished part of our faith and history.”

Tracy noted that for Catholics, it is the year of mercy.

“We open our hearts to the needs of our elderly,” he said .

Mayor Tom Cote said senior citizens are Sanford’s foundation.

“It’s a particularly endearing project because the St. Ignatius property has been the backdrop to countless spiritual and family memories,” Cote said. “Our seniors will move into their new homes in this familiar and comfortable environment to build decades of new memories – allowing them to stay close to their children and grandchildren and help stimulate growth and revitalize our downtown.”

Deeley, in a prepared statement issued last week, said the building’s roots will not be forgotten.

“With the planned preservation of some of the church’s features for the new building, we are also able to offer a deserving tribute to the legacy of St. Ignatius Church, which served as a spiritual home for generations of area Catholics,” he said.

The project has many supporters, and has received assistance from the Maine State Housing Authority through a federal low-income tax credit, which provides financing to developers of affordable rental housing. As well, the city of Sanford offered a Tax Increment Financing arrangement, which means 62 percent of the property taxes for the 66-unit apartment building will be returned to the project over 15 years.

The city will reap 38 percent of the property tax. The property was formerly not subject to property tax because of its religious designation, but the diocese does pay property tax on properties it develops under the Diocesan Bureau of Housing.

On Monday, the groundbreaking – and blessing – brought several folks to the site. Some, like Mike Ralston, gazed up at the windows and spoke of teaching CCD – Confraternity of Christian Doctrine – classes there.

Before the ceremony, councilor John Tuttle spoke of the working families who had contributed part of their weekly wages to help built the church and school in the early days, at a time when factory wages were modest, but faith was large, and wholehearted support for the church was a part of everyday life. Now, those initial contributions made many years ago, combined with new funds, will ensure St. Ignatius continues on – not as a church or school, but as a place to call home.

The building is slated for opening in the fall of 2017. Pease said folks who wish may call 636-7341 to add their name to a list of those expressing interest. So far, about 85 people have done so.

Among those gathered was Sanford senior Harriett Cognato, who came to learn more about the project.

“I’d love to live here,” she said.

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or twells@journaltribune.com.