Community Chat

[terrier3]

On 2/9/2014 esmerelda said:

terrier...hope you'll provide updates on this local story, e.g., when repairs begin, how things go, etc. Preserving old buildings is a good thing...when it can be done.

The article said that the ruling on Buffalo will probably affect churches all over America.

Francis wants inner city churches to remain open, when possible.

[Cakers1]

Terrier: I read that there is a school with this church - they want to sell that building and have it converted to housing. Might be a win-win since this is a poorer section. How long has the school been closed?

And yes, people do get attached to their parishes; generations of Baptisms, marriages, funerals - I understand why these parishioners want to keep their church.

[terrier3]

On 2/9/2014 Cakers1 said:

Terrier: I read that there is a school with this church - they want to sell that building and have it converted to housing. Might be a win-win since this is a poorer section. How long has the school been closed?

And yes, people do get attached to their parishes; generations of Baptisms, marriages, funerals - I understand why these parishioners want to keep their church.

Another local Protestant church in my neighborhood has faced this same issue. They are converting their school into apartments and retail space, providing a revenue stream for the parish. They also hold a winter farmer's market and other events and have a daily soup kitchen and pantry.

[Luv2Decorate]

Which Diocese is this church in?

[terrier3]

On 2/9/2014 Luv2Decorate said:

Which Diocese is this church in?

Buffalo NY.

But canon lawyers say the ruling will affect churches everywhere in America.

[NoelSeven]

On 2/9/2014 terrier3 said:

The point is that the congregation has raised the money to get it fixed...until this Vatican ruling, the local leaders refused to fix it...they wanted to tear it down, which in itself will cost millions.

One of the things I love so much about London (and all over the UK), is that they have such wonderful old buildings.

Here, we're constantly tearing down beautiful buildings and replacing them many times with schlock.

[terrier3]

On 2/9/2014 NoelSeven said:

On 2/9/2014 terrier3 said:

The point is that the congregation has raised the money to get it fixed...until this Vatican ruling, the local leaders refused to fix it...they wanted to tear it down, which in itself will cost millions.

One of the things I love so much about London (and all over the UK), is that they have such wonderful old buildings.

Here, we're constantly tearing down beautiful buildings and replacing them many times with schlock.

I agree.

But in this case it is worse...they wanted it torn down and the congregation scattered to the winds.

That's why the church is losing membership, IMO.

[NoelSeven]

On 2/9/2014 terrier3 said:

On 2/9/2014 NoelSeven said:

On 2/9/2014 terrier3 said:

The point is that the congregation has raised the money to get it fixed...until this Vatican ruling, the local leaders refused to fix it...they wanted to tear it down, which in itself will cost millions.

One of the things I love so much about London (and all over the UK), is that they have such wonderful old buildings.

Here, we're constantly tearing down beautiful buildings and replacing them many times with schlock.

I agree.

But in this case it is worse...they wanted it torn down and the congregation scattered to the winds.

That's why the church is losing membership, IMO.

ITA, that's worse. It's happened in this area, too, and is heartbreaking for the congregation.

[Yuban3]

Sometimes it costs MORE to repair and maintain an old building, than it does to build a new one.

Yes, it's sad when a building that was erected 60 - 80 years ago is torn down, but people forget that it can be EXPENSIVE to repair those old buildings that are already in a severe state of disrepair.

Sometimes it is CHEAPER to just build new.

[terrier3]

On 2/9/2014 Yuban3 said:

Sometimes it costs MORE to repair and maintain an old building, than it does to build a new one.

Yes, it's sad when a building that was erected 60 - 80 years ago is torn down, but people forget that it can be EXPENSIVE to repair those old buildings that are already in a severe state of disrepair.

Sometimes it is CHEAPER to just build new.

In this case, it would cost more to tear it down than to repair it.

Buffalo is a great example of what can happen when you preserve old housing stock. We have Sullivan, FL Wright, EB Green buildings that have been successfully rehabbed.

We recently restored a hotel created by one of America's first female architects - The Lafayette Hotel.

These rehabs have made us a tourist destination for people who love great architecture and make Buffalo a beautiful place to live (yes, we have heard all the jokes!)