Some Parishioners Angry After Church Removes Donated Trees To Build Parking Lot

NEWARK, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- A New Jersey church's decision to cut down donated trees for a new parking lot is leaving some parishioners angry.

As CBS2's Meg Baker explained, the church said the move was necessary, and will actually help churchgoers in the long run. But churchgoers themselves are not pleased at all.

Greg Palma reached down to pick up a plaque left in the dirt after the tree it was on was cut down to make way for a new parking lot at St. Lucy's Church in Newark.

"Not what I dreamed. I thought this was permanent, and so did everyone else that contributed to this," he said.

The trees were part of a meditation garden and plaza built more than 10 years ago. Palma's donation was a living memorial to his grandparents and other loved ones.

"What's really sickening, this was done to give oasis in an urban setting," he said.

The project cost parishioners $2-million, but the new revered Luigi Zanotto said in order to keep parishioners they need a place to park.

"The first question when they come for a wedding is, 'How much parking do you have?'" he said.

He said it gets worse on Sundays.

"We have friction between 930 people leaving and coming in," he said.

Zanotto said the plans were announced during mass, and in church bulletins, but if you are no longer a member then you probably didn't get the memo.

Palma left the congregation a few years ago, but said that shouldn't matter. Him and others donated so that loved ones would always have a place at the church they attended.

The church said it plans to plant new trees on the other side of the parking lot, and replace the plaques. The old trees could not be saved for replanting.