Church of the Assumption: The next hurdle

Photo by A. Palewski

Update from Plan Philly here.

The story, by Alan Jaffe, recaps the May 10 meeting about the ongoing debate over the future of the Church of the Assumption.  It says, in part:

The battle over the future of a Spring Garden church building moved into the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas this morning, with the focus on the power of one city department versus another.

Does the Board of License and Inspection Review have the right to hold a full hearing on a preservation case already decided by the Philadelphia Historical Commission, and then reverse the Commission’s decision?

The Court of Common Pleas will hear the case on the demolition of the Church of the Assumption in two weeks. Oral arguments are scheduled to take place on Thursday, May 10 at 10:00 AM in Court Room 426 of City Hall. Please attend the hearing if you are available.

So far….

1. The church was added to the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places on May 8, 2009.

2. The owner of the church, Siloam, applied for financial hardship in order to pursue the demolition of the structure. The Philadelphia Historical Commission granted financial hardship on September 10, 2010, allowing demolition.

3. The Callowhill Neighborhood Association and several neighbors appealed the ruling and the case was heard by the Board of License and Inspection Review. The Board overturned the ruling on May 17, 2011, prohibiting demolition.

4. Siloam filed for appeal of the Board’s decision. The Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas heard the appeal on May 10, 2012.