A major setback for people in Asbury Park who were trying to save a church that is over 100 years old from becoming townhomes. A judge this week sided with developers who purchased the land from the Diocese of Trenton. 

The Holy Spirit Church on Second Avenue and Bond Street held its final Mass in June 2021 – and was then sold for $1.7 million to JLD Investment Group. The developer’s future plans call for either preserving the church as a community space and rental units surrounded by housing – or knocking the church down and replacing it with high-end townhomes.

The judge’s ruling will force the Asbury Park Planning Board to grant developers their subdivision – denied by that board last year.

“It was absolutely gorgeous inside – just right up to the last Mass two years ago. Just gorgeous inside. The thought of it being ripped apart is very troubling to parishioners and the community at large,” said Tom De Seno, an attorney and Asbury Park historian. 

News 12 reached out to Asbury Park city leaders for additional comments – but because of pending litigation, they could not speak on the record.

An employee of Mountain View Developments confirmed that both options – including preserving the church structure -  are still on the table.