SPRINGFIELD – In what has become a symbol for progress of the construction of the MGM Springfield casino, the former First Spiritualist Church started and completed its journey across the casino campus to its new location on April 19.

Brian Packer, MGM’s vice president of Construction and Development, said the church building’s new role should be in the food and drink sector, but details have not yet been determined.

Bill Mullen, the construction superintendent for Tischman Construction, said the church should be on its new pad either on the evening of April 19 or the next day, depending upon weather and other factors. He said with the steel beams providing support, the weight of the church was 500 tons.

Despite what the layman would see as a near impossible task, Mullen said it was a “fairly generic move” for Wolfe House & Building Movers from Pennsylvania.

Mullen said interior supports and other precautions were taken to help secure the building, as its mortar is brittle. The building was transported on a special dolly system developed by Wolfe, he added.

The 129-year-old church had been the home of a congregation of spiritualists since 1919. Pastor John Sullivan, whose church moved to Chicopee, is now the Healing Hands of Light Spiritualist Church.

Sullivan called the move “a memorable occasion.” He added he was “watching a building that could have been demolished but now could be restored properly.”

Massachusetts Gaming Commissioner Bruce Stebbins said, “What it symbolizes today … is the continued evidence of MGM’s commitment to bring this job to completion.”

Packer called the move “an important milestone.” He said the casino’s construction is on schedule for a fall 2018 opening.  He explained the rest of the former YWCA building would now be demolished, followed by the building at 73 State St., although the façade of that structure will be preserved.

The façade of the Union-Chandler building on Main Street will also be preserved, he said, with the rest of the building removed.

Later this summer the foundation for the 3,000-plus car-parking garage will be installed, Packer said.

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