We are re-entering the Dark Ages in Lewiston-Auburn — the upcoming destruction of the historic St. Joseph’s Church building and rectory, the oldest Catholic church building in Lewiston.

That structure is the work of master 19th century architect Patrick C. Keely, an Irish immigrant to New York and celebrated designer of some 700 churches across the United States.

St. Joseph’s is one of only three churches designed by him in Maine. The other two are St. John’s Catholic Church in Bangor and the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Portland.

Buildings of this sort transcend the purposes for which they were originally constructed. They are works of art and, as such, must never be trifled with for any reason — ever.

Do the individuals proposing the demolitions have any concept of how they will ultimately be changing the face of Lewiston-Auburn’s architectural landscape, forever?

Once again, the local Catholic church authority stands on the sidelines, wringing its hands, appearing more like Pontius Pilate and Judas Iscariot than the Christ-like image it would like to convey.

Why should the church be concerned? It has gotten its 30 pieces of silver ($125,000).

In Auburn, the church is going even one step further. The sale of furnishings from St. Louis Church will be used to defray the cost of that building’s demolition — the equivalent of the Romans having forced Christ to pay for his own crucifixion.

Brian Franck, Auburn