Monday, August 8, 2011

“Collateral” Damage: What was a widow’s intent regarding her gift to our parish?

On July 21, 1998 Mary Elizabeth Bracken conveyed 22.75 acres of farm land at the Southeast corner of Squaw Prairie and Town Hall Roads to St. James Church of Belvidere.  I was a newcomer to the parish (coming from Cary, Illinois just 9 years before) but I remember all the talk about Chuck Popp, the church’s attorney and parish member. He was “going to make sure” that this land would not be taken from the parish like some parcels in the distant past and how this would be the site of the new church.  Remember—all of this was but the story told at “coffee and donuts” and at other informal social functions around the parish.

Below are photocopies of a picture of Mrs. Bracken, her land, the deed and transfer documents.  Now this land will be held as collateral for a loan from the  Diocese and when times are better maybe sold.  Is this what Mr. Bracken intended?

 

Mary Bracken

Click on the Photocopies to Enlarge:

Bracken land

Bracken-Popp 1

 

Bracken-Popp 2

Bracken-Popp 3

No comments:

Post a Comment