The following article appears with the permission of the Providence Journal.

Parish eyes possible uses for land off Post Road

Source:
The Providence Journal
Monday, 07/21/2003
Edition: South County, Section: News, Page B-01
Dateline: NORTH KINGSTOWN

NORTH KINGSTOWN - St. Bernard Church is considering several uses for a large parcel of land at the corner of Tower Hill Road and Post Road, including a Catholic school.

The land, which spans about 25 acres, was owned for years by the Davis family. The land and a house were willed to the church and two other organizations after the last member of the family, Virginia Davis, passed away in 2001. The Diocese of Providence subsequently purchased the land.

St. Bernard's has since formed a steering committee to oversee the future use of the land. The committee recently hired the Providence architecture firm of Durkee, Brown, Viveiros & Werenfels to help with the creation of a master plan for the property.

Steering committee member Martha Dwyer said among the things St. Bernard's is considering are a church, rectory, parish center or school.

Dwyer said that the firm will help to determine how much of the land is usable and what could fit on the land. She emphasized that no decisions have been made.

"Nothing is carved in stone," she said.

One thing that the committee has agreed upon is that it does not want to tear down the Davis house, according to Dwyer.

Dwyer said the firm's report will include information such as how much square footage would be needed for a church and how much parking would be required. She said that in the case of a school, the amount of space needed for playing fields would have to be considered.

"We are looking at every angle," Dwyer said. "Then we'll decide what would be best for the parish."