As the May 1 anniversary of the closing of Our Lady of Mount Carmel on Mulberry Street draws closer, the grassroots preservationist group that has been pushing to save the historic structure is working to build momentum. To that end, the Mount Carmel Preservation Society held a short speaking program in the church parking lot to spread the message of their mission – with a strong undercurrent of bitterness toward the Catholic Diocese of Worcester, which they said has stopped negotiating with them.

“Knocking [Mount Carmel] down is knocking down the people of Worcester, and we’re not going to let it happen,” MPS President Mauro DePasquale said.