St Mary Health Center and Dental Clinic preparing to leave Basilica

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — St Mary Health Center and Dental Clinic is leaving the place it has called home for more than 20 years.

Several weeks ago, volunteers started removing patient records and other files from its offices at the Basilica of Saint Mary on Ann Street.

During the weekend of November 16th, workers began removing all equipment, including x-ray machines and dental chairs, to put into storage.

The move comes after a months-long feud with the Basilica after it asked the clinic to leave so the space could be used for the church’s school.

Laura Vinson is the executive director of the medical and dental clinic.

She said it’s tough seeing the clinic’s time at the church come to an end.

“It’s undescribable because I’ve been here for 22 years, 16 as a director and its hard to explain how it feels to see all this stuff being moved out of here,” Vinson said. “It seems senseless because I just can’t imagine that this building is going to be used anytime soon.”

Vinson said the clinic hopes to eventually reopen in its own space so they won’t have to move again, but she was also thankful for the partnership the clinic had for many years with the Basilica.