Former Darien Church Approved For Demolition, Property Subdivision

DARIEN, CT — The Darien Planning & Zoning Commission last week unanimously approved a plan to demolish and subdivide the now-vacant St. Paul's Church property at 471 Mansfield Ave.

St. Paul's Church was originally founded as St. Paul's Chapel as a mission of St. Luke's Church in Darien in 1958, and the land at 471 Mansfield Ave. was transferred to the church in 1962, the church's website notes. The church building was constructed and dedicated in 1964. The church stopped holding worship services in 2022.

The plans, brought forward by the Missionary of Society of Connecticut, Inc., also known as The Episcopal Church in Connecticut – The Commons, call for the demolition of the church, two residences and a garage on the 14.4-acre property, and the subdivision into four separate single-family residential lots, ranging in size from 2.49 to 4.84 acres.

"The church is seeking to subdivide the property. This particular parish is no longer viable," said Craig Flaherty, an engineer from land use consulting firm Redniss & Mead, during a Sept. 8 Planning & Zoning Commission meeting.

"They take a look at their properties throughout Connecticut and make decisions about what to do with them, and they're trying to prepare the property for sale. A part of that is to subdivide it into what we believe is the highest and best use, and they'll use that to reinvest in their mission in other ways and do the good that they do."

The plans were first presented as a pre-application review last December. The church shared a post on Facebook in March from a member who attended services there and expressed disappointment at the proposal. Several commenters also spoke about the impact the church had on their lives.

During the Sept. 8 meeting, Flaherty said 54 percent of the property will be permanently protected. Development will only take place where development currently exists. The buildable area of each of the four lots is located along Mansfield Avenue.

"The natural areas stay natural, and the developed areas get re-developed," Flaherty said.

Town Planner Jeremy Ginsberg said during the Oct. 6 meeting that demolition permits would be applied for and the town historian would be coordinated with to see if anyone would invoke a demolition delay.

Planning & Zoning Commission meetings can be viewed on demand on Darien TV.