IHM Church Bell Tower to Be Toppled Today

A crane will be brought in Saturday morning to begin demolishing the bell tower that stands at the entrance of Immaculate Heart Mary Catholic Church, 1040 Alameda de las Pulgas.

During an inspection on Thursday, structural engineers from the Archdiocese of San Francisco discovered such severe dry rot and termite damage in the 65-foot tower that they called in City of Belmont building officials, who "red tagged" the building, meaning the church is currently unsafe to occupy. The bell tower is situated in relative close proximity to the Alameda de Las Pulgas.   

According Capt. Pat Halleran of the Belmont Police Department, the southbound lane and center divider of the Alameda will closed be during the demolition. The two lanes on the northbound side of the street will be used for traffic in both directions between Ralston Avenue and Carlmont Drive.  The north entrance to Carlmont Shopping Center will be blocked off on Saturday. The sidewalk on the west side of the road, in front of Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM) Church will also be closed. 

A sign in front of the church directed parishioners to the Parish Center for Mass. It is unclear at this time how Saturday and Sunday Masses will be affected at IHM. 

Halleran reported that the contractor is planning to bring in the crane on Saturday morning and start demolition 9:30 a.m. They believe the work can be done in one day.

Police say motorists and residents in the area should expect traffic delays in the area during the lane/sidewalk closures and should take alternate routes when possible.

Patch will update this story as information becomes available.