Old Farren statue of Jesus finds new home in Turners Falls

The inscription below the statue of Jesus from the former Farren Memorial Hospital that has been installed in front of Our Lady of Peace in Turners Falls.

The inscription below the statue of Jesus from the former Farren Memorial Hospital that has been installed in front of Our Lady of Peace in Turners Falls. STAFF PHOTO/PAUL FRANZ

The statue of Jesus.

The statue of Jesus. STAFF PHOTO/PAUL FRANZ

Staff Report

Published: 11-03-2024 9:58 AM

TURNERS FALLS — The statue of Jesus outside of the former Farren Care Center on Montague City Road has been moved to the front of the Our Lady of Peace Church on 7th Street in Turners Falls.

According to the Rev. Stan Aksamit of Our Lady of Peace, the statue has been cleaned up and placed with an engraved granite stone that provides a brief history of the Farren in front of the statue. There also is a granite bench placed with the statue.

Negus and Taylor Monuments of Greenfield provided the granite for the engraving and bench, and they also refurbished the monument. The project is not yet complete as there are plans to landscape and create a walkway outside of the statue that Moretti and Sons is slated to complete. Once the landscaping is complete, a dedication ceremony will be held in 2025.

The Farren Care Center opened over a century ago in November 1900, and it was named for industrialist Bernard N. Farren. The hospital was originally called the Farren Memorial Hospital until the hospital closed in 1988, and was renamed the Farren Care Center as it started operation as a general care facility. In 2021, the center closed with patients transferred elsewhere, and was demolished.

The site received a $62,000 grant on Oct. 10 for redevelopment planning from the Community Planning Grant Program as part of a round of redevelopment grants announced by Gov. Maura Healey. The site is expected to become a multi-use complex with housing and retail.

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