An AIDS organization wants to replace the church with parking. Preservationists say the building is too important historically, architecturally to lose.
The Church of the Assumption. Photo by Andrew Palewski.
April 9, 2009
By Alan Jaffe
For PlanPhilly
A mid-19th Century church that has been vacant for over a decade but boasts a strong architectural pedigree and rich religious history has been nominated for inclusion on the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places. The designation committee of the Philadelphia Historical Commission will hear the case for the Church of the Assumption, 11th and Spring Garden Streets, on April 16.
The champion for the church’s preservation is Andrew Palewski, a resident of the West Poplar and Callowhill community who sees the building as a neighborhood icon and hopes to save it from demolition.
The owner of the structure is a non-profit social services organization, Siloam, which purchased the property from the Archdiocese several years ago. Siloam describes itself as a wellness center for people living with HIV/AIDS. It offers “counseling, wellness education, therapeutic body work, and respite retreats to those infected with or affected by” the disease, according to a 2006 application Siloam made to the Community Design Collaborative for a recommendation for reusing the church and two adjacent buildings, a convent and rectory.
The organization currently utilizes the adjacent buildings and is considering the demolition of the church in order to rebuild or create more parking space, said John Gallery, executive director of the Preservation Alliance of Greater Philadelphia, which is supporting the nomination for preservation.
Leaders of Siloam did not return calls for comment.
According to Palewski, the Church of the Assumption has “architectural and cultural significance both locally and nationally. It was designed and built by the most prolific ecclesiastical architect of 19th century America. Over 600 churches were built by Patrick Charles Keely (1816-1896) in North America, and Assumption Church is the oldest surviving Keely structure in existence.” The church was erected in 1848-49 and had extensive renovations in 1899.
Detail of the church entrance. Photo by Palewski.
The architect’s work inspired the formation of the Keely Society, which is dedicated to the documentation of his life, art and work. Society founder Edward Furey, of Enfield, Conn., confirmed the significance of the Spring Garden Street church and said it is “most likely the last surviving example of the first year of his church designs.”
It was also a church with great significance to the Catholic Church, Furey said. John Neumann helped consecrate the Church of the Assumption, and Katharine Drexel was baptized there. Both became Catholic saints.
“St. Katharine Drexel, whose benevolence to African-Americans and Native Americans was unprecedented, has a legacy that speaks for itself,” Palewski said. “Her lifelong mission was guided and inspired by the Catholic faith, which for her began at Assumption.”
Though it has been vacant for about 12 years and its interior artifacts were removed when the Archdiocese sold it, the church continues to have a vital role in the community, Palewski said. “Assumption is an extraordinary survivor in a landscape that has been all but stripped of its architectural heritage. It is one of the most prominent structures in the area. Its copper spires, which stand over 15 stories high, are easily recognizable from the far reaches of West Poplar and Callowhill. It’s an outstanding building that represents the pinnacle of historic architecture in these two neighborhoods,” he said.
The spires of the church rise above its neighborhood. Photo by Palewski.
“The era of decline is over” in this area, Palewski continued. “There is an urban renaissance taking place, and the demolition of an historic neighborhood icon is not consistent with the aspirations of this community. The few historic landmarks that remain are cherished cultural assets.
“When the West Poplar neighborhood critiqued the redevelopment plans for the Divine Lorraine Hotel, this sentiment couldn’t have been more apparent. There were many differing opinions about the design of the construction adjacent to the hotel. But there was no debate over the hotel itself. The neighborhood was cohesive in its desire to preserve the historic building. This speaks to the community’s reverence for the few remaining symbols of its past,” Palewski said.
In its 2006 application to the Community Design Collaborative, Siloam leaders explained that the organization planned to “expand our services into our recently purchased buildings within 18 months to three years and to partner with another AIDS service organization with the goal of mutually enhancing our programs. This expansion is of vital importance to our work in the HIV/AIDS community.”
The Design Collaborative’s assessment found that “the church building provides the greatest opportunity for large meeting and activity space. The need for a large meeting space by other HIV/AIDS organizations was raised by Siloam representatives at the team’s initial meeting. Rental of the church building to other HIV/AIDS organizations could potentially provide a revenue source for Siloam.”
The assessment concluded: “The Siloam complex is a major presence in an area of the city that is experiencing both residential and commercial growth. It is recommended that preservation and adaptive use of the church building be a part of Siloam’s ongoing contribution and service to the community.”
Palewski said he hopes to meet with Siloam representatives “once the building is registered” on the preservation list. “Siloam is a member of our community, and I believe that the best outcome for the building will be one that satisfies the desires of both Siloam and the adjoining neighborhoods. Ideally, I would like to see Siloam and the neighbors work together to create a solution for the sustainable preservation of the building that is viable for their organization.”
Contact the writer at alanjaffe@mac.com.
Click below to see more photos of the church, including some historic shots of the interior. All photos are by Palewski unless otherwise noted.
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Comments
They are built with a high initial cost employing high trades who may work at a discount for it being religious.
It may be the hardest building to save if there isn't a flock of devotees to whatever church it is to fundraise specifically.
Note the number of new churches located in converted strip malls and office buildings while actual churches remain on the market.
I would like to see the church live on. My grandfather's great-grandparents were married here in 1863. Even so, it is not my decision to make. That decision ought to lie with the owners of the building, who paid a certain amount of money for it expecting to get a certain amount of use out of it--or out of the ground beneath it.
If they could cover the cost of maintaining, or actually turn a profit (for use by their non-profit organization), by promoting it as some sort of shrine, they probably would. Anyone who thinks this is possible should do the right thing and buy the building back from the owners--even if everyone in the neighborhood has to scrape together "what little money they have" to save this structure "as a testament to their faith".
Simply decreeing the site to be "historical" and depriving the owners of the use of the land that they paid for is theft. Is anyone here concerned at all about compensating the owners? Is anyone here actually willing to cough up the dough necessary to rehabilitate and maintain this place, or do we all just wistfully pine for the preservation of "our great heritage"?
VICTORY FOR THE CHURCH OF THE ASSUMPTION!
On Friday, May 8, the Philadelphia Historical Commission elected to add the Church of the Assumption to the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places, effectively halting its impending demolition. The successful outcome was the result of a cumulative effort on the part of many different people and organizations. I want to extend my thanks to everyone who contributed their support to make this happen.
Saving the Church of the Assumption is a major victory for the neighborhood, the City, and the preservation community.
Anyone interested in saving Assumption Church should attend the final hearing at the Historical Commission where they will decide to either save the building or let the owner demolish it.
FRIDAY, MAY 8. 9:00 AM
1515 Arch Street, Room 18-029
My, that was a beautiful place at one time, judging from the photos of the interior.
Does anyone know what became of the Church of Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament, an African-American parish that the Archdiocese closed in 1972?
It was located at Broad and Fairmount.
"think of the casual and shortsighted way that the bureaucrats in the Archdiocesan Office at 17th & Race decided that this part of OUR heritage was disposable, back in the Nineties."
The greedy, imperious Tony Bevilacqua.
Had to have more money to build more parishes in the 'burbs.
Needed some city churches to loot for artifacts to put in those suburban churches.
Tearing this down would be a crime. Replacing it with a parking lot would be a travesty. I have lived in this neighborhood for two years and ever since I moved in, I have had high hopes for a restoration of the Church of the Assumption. I hope that historic designation will give it the chance it deserves.
I was not aware of its historical significance, though I am not surprised. The dual spires are inspiring and set a beautiful (albeit run-down) canopy for Poplar. Being the site of Katherine Drexel's baptism makes it truly a holy place that, if restored, would draw pilgrims from all over the world.
It is obvious that Siloam has no need for parking, as that block has plenty of on street parking and they sit on the convergence of 3 bus lines and two blocks from the Spring Garden BSL station. I would guess that it is the cost of keeping the Church from collapsing that is driving them to pursue demolition.
Perhaps they should find newer, simpler accommodations and the city should find someone who is able to take care of the church.