BREAKING NEWS: Leonard Leo buys church, surprised he now has a property tax bill
NORTHEAST HARBOR, July 27, 2023 - A charitable nonprofit formed by Leonard Leo, a devout Roman Catholic, purchased the St. Ignatius Church at 8 Lookout Way here in March, according to published reports, but apparently was unaware it now has to pay property tax.
After the transaction March 17, the town assessed the church and a parking lot at $2,046,300, with an annual property tax of $17,843 based on he town’s current mill rate of 8.72.
Assessor Kyle Avila said he expects the new owner, Chelsea Holdings LLC, to apply for a tax exemption. He said a lawyer for the owner was surprised at the assessment and that he has sent the lawyer application forms for the exemption.
The investigative news outlet. The Lever, reported this week that Leo’s organization, Sacred Spaces Foundation, seeks to educate the public “on the importance of religious expression and human rights of conscience.”
“Sacred Spaces Foundation is caring for Saint Ignatius Catholic Church on Mount Desert Island in Maine because it is a significant historical, spiritual, and artistic landmark,” Leo said in an emailed statement to The Lever Sunday, adding: “This was the first of several efforts that are being undertaken by the foundation in its first year to highlight the beauty and value of sacred spaces and art, as well as literary works, in our local communities, centers of faith, and civil society.”
In 2018, Leo purchased a $3.3 million mansion at 46 South Shore Road, which is now the site of regular protests, and has been ever since the Supreme Court overturned its landmark Roe v. Wade decision, allowing states to ban abortion.
"Sacred." Funny how so many "devout" Christians are behind the most un-Christlike policies imaginable. Or maybe it's not funny.
I went to church there as a child, and found it to be simple and beautiful. I can still smell the wood which formed the interior. It’s truly a shame to have this holy place purchased by such a self serving, fanatical, fundamentalist, scumbag, who wouldn’t recognize the preaching of Jesus, if he tripped over it. Sadly his involvement now poisons this building, and leaves another piece of my childhood in ruins.