Following up on a story we posted last week, the Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral won approval Friday to demolish two historic buildings on Chestnut Street in order to build a 25-story apartment tower. The dean of the cathedral and others contend that the plan will create funding for crucial renovations to the cathedral.
From the Philadelphia Inquirer:
At a lengthy hearing of the city Historical Commission, the cathedral and its private development partner agreed to conditions imposed by the commission that seek to insure that a portion of development profits flow into repair and renovation of the historic cathedral’s bell tower.
“We are committed to preserving the church itself,” the Rev. Judith Sullivan, cathedral dean, told the commission. “We are all about preservation.”
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An interesting experience in the two threads on this topic to get a flash of insight into what “reasserters” see as “revisionist” arrogance.
Doubtless there will be many varied opinions about the two buildings in question here. Ultimately this will be a huge step forward for the Episcopal Church in Philadelphia and the Diocese of Pennsylvania. Judith has worked diligently and tirelessly on this project. She is not careless nor is she an iconoclast. Not everything that is old is a treasure. This is a case in point. Congratulations to the Cathedral community and to the Diocese of PA!