The cross on the steeple of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church was removed Monday morning, a symbolic first step in the demolition the of the large house of worship on Mulberry Street. The Roman Catholic Church, which was built in 1928 by Italian immigrants, is being torn down, and the Worcester Diocese is expected to sell the site.

The church was closed after deterioration caused by age and vibrations from nearby Interstate 290 made the building unsafe, and dwindling attendance led to consolidation of parishes. A small crowd watched as the cross was removed from a dome by two workers in a mechanical lift and then lowered in a bucket by a 150-foot crane. It was taken away to be placed in storage.