Vandalism At St. Catherine Drexel Shrine Continues
BENSALEM TOWNSHIP, PA —Vandalism at the former St. Katherine Drexel Shrine continues to pose an issue for township officials and law enforcement.
At its June 20 meeting, the Bensalem Township Council heard a complaint from a resident who stated that they moved near the church two years ago.
Click Here: サッカーユニフォーム
She expected a quiet community but instead “encountered significant vandalism.”
Find out what's happening in Bensalemwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
She lives across the street from St. Catherine Drexel Church on Langstrath Lane and expressed her frustration to the council over broken windows, drug dealers, and thefts in her neighborhood.
The church, which is an equitable owner of the property, has not been able to sell it completely, making it difficult to establish security on the grounds.
Find out what's happening in Bensalemwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
In May, two residents who live near the shrine entered the closed property and stole a crucifix.
While the abandoned Shrine of St. Katharine Drexel property awaits development, the Bensalem Police Department has received multiple reports of thefts and vandalism over the past year.
Bensalem Police have made several arrests for theft and trespassing.
The National Shrine of St. Katharine Drexel —which housed the remains and relics of the saint who founded the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament in 1891 closed at the end of 2017.
Several years ago, the township made assurances that any future development would preserve the site’s motherhouse, which was once visited by people from around the world, and prevent it from being knocked down or turned into a restaurant.
The mayor said the property is planned for the development of townhomes and homes for senior living, but the developer has not started construction for about two years.
The developer, Aquinas Realty Partners, plans called for a 605-mixed unit development.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.