H Y PERLOC AL
DON E DI F F E R E N T LY
FISHTOWN + KENSINGTON + NORTHERN LIBERTIES + PORT RICHMOND + BRIDESBURG
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WEEK JUNE 1, 2016 VOL. 13 NO. 21
HOLY SCHISM New St. Laurentius conservation group emerges as supporters of church seek consensus on future of historic Fishtown structure. 11
MUSIC ROW Local band interviews and concert previews. 5
CLEAN PLATE Recipe for couscous salad with cherries and arugula. 7
FIRST FRIDAY Events and happenings around town. 13
“All present and accounted for,” the assembled veterans responded as John Lonergan solemnly recited the names of each of Fishtown’s fallen sons. Each name resonated in the damp, heavy air as the crowd looked on in near silence. At the corner of Marlborough St. and Wildey St., about 75 people gathered at noon on Memorial Day to remember the soldiers who died serving the United States. The Cpl. Charles J. Glenn III Memorial commemorates the young Marine from Fishtown who was killed on July 7, 1967 in an ambush outside the city of Da Nang. Nearly 50 years later, Glenn III’s memory lives as locals refuse to let a native son be forgotten.
Veterans, neighbors, friends and families stood alongside the Philadelphia Vietnam Veterans Memorial Society and the Philadelphia Police and Fire Pipes and Drums to honor the sacrifices made by 11 young men from Fishtown and veterans in general. “It’s important for me to be here. For my son, too,” Pat Waxler, 33, said, standing with his six-year-old son. “This is the second or third year I’ve made sure we come out. I think the sacrifices soldiers made are easier to understand and appreciate when they could have been your neighbors.” Between military marches and drum rolls, family members and veter-
The ground beneath you holds more history than you know. Philadelphians that used to walk these neighborhoods more than 150 years ago are now buried under city streets. Most people would be surprised to learn that underneath the ground at Frankford Avenue & Blair and Berks Streets is an old cemetery that potentially holds 10,000+ graves. From 1832-1868, a large burial ground was located underneath of the properties that sit on the 1800 block of Frankford and Blair. Remains of The Mutual Burial Grounds of Kensington rest under the Philadelphia Sculpture Gym, Tires & Auto Repair Shop, Shissler Recreation Center, and the baseball-field at Hewson & Blair. Some remnants of the Mutual Burial Ground are protected from dis-
turbance, sealed under structures that are non-invasive to the earth. However, structures on Frankford Ave. from 1834-46 can be purchased, demolished, and developed. Constructing building foundations and basements on this area could rip through thousands of bodies resting a few feet underground. Destroying burial grounds eliminates our potential to study the “burial customs, funeral practices, and… spiritual beliefs” of a population of local Philadelphians that have not been thoroughly studied previously. “Philadelphia City Death Certificates, 1803-1915” show that most of the
Continued on Page 6.
ACCU REGGIE Seven day forecast for the Riverwards. 4
COMMUNITY CALENDAR Local events, meetings and more. 12-13
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Page 2
The Spirit of the Riverwards – June 1, 2016 THE
local lens
W
hile attending a recent lecture at the Catholic Historical Society, I spoke with a professor of religion at Temple University who told me about a book she had
just published. Since we were both authors scheduled to speak at the Society, we talked for a while before our conversation turned to what it was like to teach college students in 2016. That’s a big subject given the atmosphere on many college campuses. That atmosphere is very much like a police state in which certain words and ideas are not allowed a place at the table. Guest speakers with opinions outside the current accepted academic norm — a left of center social justice worldview — are treated as heretics that should be denied a voice. Professors teaching today have to weigh every word uttered in a classroom for fear that it may offend a few students. In the old days, if a student was offended by something a teacher said, they took it on the chin or marked it up as a difference in opinion. Today a college professor risks reprimand from school administrators if the words or ideas they express in class make just one or two students feel “uncomfortable.” I asked the professor what it was like to have to walk on egg shells when she speaks before her class. “Do you introduce so-called controversial topics with trigger warning alerts?” She answered in the affirmative, adding that whenever she was about to speak about something that might make a student feel uncomfortable, she used the words ‘trigger warning’ before doing so. I thought about this for a moment, picturing a hundred red flag interruptions, like a series of red flags strung along I-95. Let’s say our professor wanted to talk about the nation’s rape laws. In that case she’d have to announce “Trigger warning, rape,” before proceeding. This gives anyone in the class who felt an emotional connection to rape a chance to leave, cover their ears with their hands, or suck on a binkie to temper their discomfort. Of course, the few objecting students could also quit college altogether and go home to the ultimate safe space, Mommy and Daddy’s house, but not many would opt to do this. The professor went on the describe other topics that also “require” her to issue a trigger warning. “It must be exhausting,” I told her. Much to my surprise, she seemed to defend the trigger warning system, although she did hint that there were certain aspects of the system that were less than fortunate. But she didn’t come out and condemn it outright, which was disappointing. In this new world of student pampering, there are also what are termed microaggressions. Microaggressions are defined as “subtle but offensive comments or actions directed at a minority or other nondominant groups that is often unintentional.” In other words, better put a filter in that mouth of yours before speaking. And watch those jokes. A microaggression can also be as benign sounding as, “Where are you from?” or “Where were you born?” This is how crazy the new college world has become. The professor’s trigger warning system even extended into her teaching of religion. I got a sense of this when she told me that her students had congratulated her on her universal teaching methods in which it was impossible to detect any sort of bias in her presentations. In other words, the students could not tell whether she was Catholic, atheist, Baptist, Muslim or a Mormon. I don’t know about you, but I would rather that professors offer some hint or at least a story or two about their own religious beliefs. This would greatly enhance any discussion on religion. I have to wonder if the professor’s going to great lengths to appear neutral or non-committal when it came to her personal beliefs didn’t have its roots in a trigger-based fear more than a yearning to appear neutral. What’s wrong with a professor sharing personal religious
BY THOM NICKELS
views in order to highlight a discussion on what people believe? Nothing, unless of course saying you’re Catholic, Baptist or Jewish might set off trigger alerts from that unhappy atheist student in the back row. As someone who came of age during the leftist revolutions of the late 1960s and early 1970s, I know first hand how hard the fight for free speech was fought. My generation protested the war in Vietnam and the draft. We witnessed the shutting down or censorship of editors and writers from underground and alternative newspapers. We campaigned against unlawful arrests, the freedom to read banned books and poems like Allen Ginsberg’s "Howl". We hated censorship of any kind and never advocated that Vietnam War proponents be banned from public discourse. Who among us would have thought that 50 years down the line it would be the descendents of the 1960s left progressives (now called regressive leftists) who would become the chieftains of cultural authoritarianism? Take the case of conservative pundit, Breitbart journalist Milo Yiannopoulos. The 32 year old Yiannopoulos has made an international reputation as a gay man “with the wrong opinions.” This Donald Trump-loving, anti-feminist, and proudly promiscuous gay man (he’s against gay marriage, but encourages heterosexuals not to abandon the venerable institution) once told interviewer Dave Rubin that if he could take a pill that would change him into a straight man, he’d do it. Despite the positive changes in society when it comes to the acceptance of homosexuality, Yiannopoulos believes that it is still easier to be straight. When you are gay you are not allowed to say things like this, even though Yiannopoulos is on record as saying that gay people are Mother Nature’s special creation. “Gay people are one of the groups that Mother Nature has given license to go wild. That’s why so many great artists, authors and inventors have been gay, because gays have the ability to push further than ordinary people can.” Yiannopoulos, who is Catholic, is currently bringing his “Dangerous Faggot Tour” to 60 US college campuses where he is cheered by mostly straight university students who love his cultural libertarianism and who don’t mind it at all when he mentions his interest in black penises. “The regressive left believes that words have the power that they don’t have,” he tells audiences. He is demonized by groups like Black Lives Matter, feminists and more than a few hard core LGBTQ ideologues. His talks at colleges are often interrupted by so-called social justice warriors (SJWs), feminists and regressive leftists who want opposing ideas to be snuffed out. Some of these SJWs wear masks that mimic the masks of bank robbers in the 19th century. Yiannopoulos has problems with modern third wave feminism with its emphasis on man hating, while these same feminist groups ignore the real oppression of women in Middle Eastern countries. Modern feminism, he says, never comments on the brutal treatment of women in the Middle East because they are afraid of charges of Islamphobia. Yiannopoulos insists there’s no wage gap difference between men and women, citing studies done by the American Enterprise Institute. “The wage gap is a feminist myth that will not die,” he says. To me, Yiannopoulos seems like the reincarnation of Oscar Wilde, especially with his flamboyant, outrageous mannerism and his UK accent. He’s a bit of a showman to be sure, but he’s smart and many of his views are spot on. Another “freedom of speech” conservative speaker, the Canadian born Libertarian commentator Lauren Southern, also lectures and debates at college campuses while confronting armies of SJWs who want to snuff out free speech. Southern has been thrown out of Amber Rose "Slut Walk" demonstrations because she dares to raise pertinent questions like, “Do you really think that we live in a
THOM NICKELS IS A PHILADELPHIA BASED AUTHOR, JOURNALIST, POET, FILM CRITIC & FEATURE WRITER FOR SPIRIT NEWS.
rape culture?” Just asking the question is reason enough for organizers to call the police. Southern was also once covered in piss in Vancouver when she dared to announce that there were only “two genders.” This was decried as hate speech. What I’ve presented here is a short look at America’s new culture war. We will see ample proof of this during the national political conventions this summer, when violence, unrest and total anarchy will take the spotlight. But this violence will not come from those “crazy” Trump supporters, but — mark my words — from social justice warriors (in masks) hot on the warpath. •
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The Spirit of the Riverwards – June 1, 2016
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The Spirit of the Riverwards – June 1, 2016 S E V E N D AY F O R E C A S T F O R T H E R I V E R WA R D S
accu reggie
F
TWITTER: @ACCUREGGIE • FACEBOOK: ACCU-REGGIE
orget about spring. Last week, summer decided to crash in like a heat wave in July. We officially hit 90 degrees three days in a row making it the first heat wave of the warm season. Just days before it was in the 50s with pouring rain! So will the real spring weather please stand up?!?! This week, I think it will. The weather this week is all about the 70s, with short forays into the 80s. Ahhhh, spring, here you are! We do need to watch for showers over the weekend, but no day is a wash out. Showers on Friday, clouds and maybe a sprinkle on Saturday, and then thunderstorms on Sunday. Otherwise, enjoy the warm sunshine without the sweltering heat.
Wednesday is a great weather day. Expect temperatures to top out around 80 with plenty of sunshine and happiness to go around! Thursday will be sunny and warm with temperatures once again near 80. Rain will try to approach from the west, but should only bring some clouds our way. Friday is cooler with some showers in the morning and afternoon. Temperatures stay parked in the 70s. Saturday looks mostly dry, but some sprinkles and light showers could pop-up here and there. Otherwise, a little sun and clouds will dominate with temperatures in the upper 70s to near 80.
Sunday starts warm and humid with sun, but then turns cloudy as a cold front swings through with thunderstorms in the afternoon. Monday and Tuesday are both beautiful with sunshine and less humidity. A cool breeze on Tuesday will feel nice as well! The weather winner of the week is the Wednesday; the weather loser is Sunday. For more up to the minute weather updates, follow Accu-Reggie on Facebook and Twitter. •
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The Spirit of the Riverwards – June 1, 2016 WRITTEN BY JUSTIN HELM
music row Y O U R M O N T H LY G U I D E T O L O C A L M U S I C
Band Review How can I best describe Philly’s Mercury Radio Theatre? Well, if Gogol Bordello raced around in The Dead Milkmen’s “Bitchin’ Camaro” then Mercury Radio Theatre would be the skid marks left behind in the parking lot. In a city filled with artists who don’t move enough on stage, it’s refreshing to see a band like Mercury Radio Theater engage the audience in the way they do. The band’s live sets send audiences whizzing through a time warp between the swingin’ 50s and the surf punk 80s. These ritualistic parties create serious good time energy when displayed in an intimate space. Mercury Radio Theatre formed in 2000 as a trio and released their first two albums, “Death and Life of the Undead Boy” and “The Blue Eyed Model”, in that configuration. Later on, in order to create more of a stage presence, the group added a vibraphone, saxophone, trumpet, organ, and violin to the standard guitar, bass and drum outfit. Today, the group stands as a full-blown punk rock exotica orchestra, putting on high-energy, theatrical live shows that dare those in attendance to dance. I recently had a chance to speak to the band’s front man, Buddy Mercury, about the music scene in in Philly and how life here has influenced the direction of their music. “If you give to the scene, the scene will give to you,” Buddy said. The group’s upcoming record, "Oh, This Can't Be Good", is due out October 2016. “We try really hard to speak to the problems most folks are feeling lately,” Buddy said. “Underpaid, overworked, out of luck, intercoursed?” Mercury Radio Theatre will be performing this month on June 24th at Boot and Saddle with Big Lazy and Madelean Gauze. Gretsch Guitars will be sponsoring the show and giving away prizes. Concert Preview Art has an uncanny way of bridging cultures together in a way that can touch both performers and observers. One opportunity for local residents to embrace the art and culture of the Middle East is presenting itself in South Kensington on June 4th when Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture and PNC Arts Alive present a vibrant evening of Western Classical and Arab music collaborations. The showcase will Mercury Radio Theatre
Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture
feature reinterpreted works by Vivaldi, Mohammad Abdel Wahab, Rafael Hernandez, and Chick Corea. Hazami Sayed, the Executive Director of the program, was deeply impacted by 9/11 and wanted to create an alternative artistic space where people understand and learn more about Arab culture. Al Bustan started with a day camp at Morris Arboretum in 2002 and has been expanding since, bringing together folks of different ethnic, social, and religious backgrounds for various cross-genre performances. Dubbed “Musical Encounters” the performance will feature a collaboration between the Al-Bustan Takht Ensemble and the Prometheus Chamber Orchestra. Al-Bustan Takht Ensemble is comprised of talented Arab musicians, three of whom — Hanna Khoury, Kinan Abou-afach, and Hafez Kotain — are recipients of the prestigious Pew Fellowship in the Arts in recognition of their talent. Meanwhile, the Prometheus Chamber Orchestra is the only self-managed orchestra in Philly. Working closely with Al Bustan, they have been able to help provide the vehicle for spreading the love for Arab culture in Philly. Prometheus musicians are classically trained at the highest level, having studied at major conservatories/universities
Mercury Radio Theatre Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture
such as the Curtis Institute, San Francisco Conservatory, Conservatory of Music at Oberlin College, Indiana University, Hartt School of Music, Drexel University, and Temple University. Using music as a universal language has been a specialty of the staff at Al Bustan. The performance spans both race and age, leaving many in “Flow” — a state of unconsciousness that people experience when performing or watching a performance. Lindsey Snyder, Director of Marketing at Al Bustan, says this transcendence is her favorite aspect of the group. “Overall, especially in the political environment, there are certain preconceived notions and stereotypes that affect Al Bustan. We approach them through the universal language of music and art.” Prior to the concert, audiences are invited to bring their own drum and participate in a workshop led by Master Percussionist and Takht member, Hafez Kotain. Additionally, a portion of the concert will also feature audience participation. Don’t miss out on this wonderful collaboration of East meets West at Oxford Mills, 100 West Oxford Street, Philadelphia on June 4th, 8PM. There will be another performance of Musical Encounters on June 17th in North Philadelphia at Church of the Advocate. •
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The Spirit of the Riverwards – June 1, 2016
Continued from Page 1.
ans placed wreaths at the base of memorial. The crowd seemed most enthused by the children’s wreath, presented by “the future of the Glenn memorial,” as one older gentleman said. “We’re here to remember our neighbors, our brothers and our sons,” said John Lonergan, the chairman of the memorial committee. “This is the 30th year that the veterans memorial society has joined us and the 19th year for the PPF band. It’s really a neighborhood event.” At the end of the service, the Philadelphia Vietnam Veterans Memorial Society honored the fallen with a three-volley salute and the band played the Marines’ Hymn. After the salute, the crowd quickly dispersed though many made sure to thank the veterans for their service and the memorial committee for ensuring that Glenn III and the ten others are not forgotten. The memorial is an engraved gray stone with a list of the deceased. Initially, only Glenn III’s name was carved into the memorial but by the end of the ‘60s, three more soldiers from Fishtown had been killed. In the ‘80s, a call was put out for the families and friends of other neighborhood soldiers to come forward and the total rose to 11. Behind the stone is a simple garden of bamboo and at either corner of the lot, purple flowers grow in planters in memory of the wounded. The Memorial Day ceremony at the Cpl. Charles J. Glenn III memorial is a neighborhood tradition that stretches back to 1986. In the years before, a new memorial committee had formed and worked to restore the memorial in respect of the deceased and so the younger members of the Fishtown community would know more of their neighborhood history. “We do this all ourselves,” Lonergan said, gesturing to the crowd. “No government funding, nothing from the city. If work needs to be done we make some calls and get it done.” As the memorial committee grows older, they are considering starting a nonprofit so that the future caretakers of the memorial may be eligible for outside funding. The Cpl. Charles J. Glenn III Memorial was one of the earliest Vietnam memorials in America. The memorial was dedicated on Veterans Day, 1967. The site of the memorial was cleared and developed by a group of WWII, Korea and Vietnam veterans eager to show their respect for a brother-in-arms. In the late ‘60s and early ‘70s, services were held on Memorial Day, the 4th of July and Veterans Day. The services stopped after the Fall of Saigon but local businesses and community members pitched in to maintain the memorial. Lonergan said that the 30th service was a success and that he looks forward to the future and the work of the next generation of caretakers. •
The Philadelphia Police & Fire Pipes and Drums plays the Marines’ Hymn as a final tribute to Cpl. Glenn III.
Members of the Philadelphia Vietnam Veterans Memorial Society keeping watch in front of the memorial./Photos by Shane English
Family and friends laid wreaths in honor of the soldiers from Fishtown who lost their lives.
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The Spirit of the Riverwards – June 1, 2016 WRITTEN BY CASEY ANN BECK
clean plate COUSCOUS SALAD WITH CHERRIES AND ARUGULA
W
ith the unofficial start of the summer season behind us, I'm operating at a slower pace. Mentally, my brain transitions to "go with the flow" mode after Memorial Day weekend, and I take the simplest approach possible to everything from my nine-to-five, to errands, to cooking dinner. Physically, I'm seven months pregnant and, by default, can only move so quickly in the warmer weather. After a long day sitting behind a desk, the last thing we want to do is spend our spare time cooking and cleaning dishes. With the extra daylight, we make every effort to spend as much time outdoors as possible; recipes that require cooking on the grill help make this possible, as does choosing side-dishes that incorporate multiple items, such as grains, greens, and other vegetables. Whole-wheat pearl couscous is a healthy, hearty base for a summer salad. And, when combined with fruit, vegetables, nuts and a sweet dressing, it's makes a quick and plentiful side dish that caters to the slow, summer mind-set Couscous Salad with Cherries and Arugula Inspired by The Kitchn Couscous 1 cup water 2/3 cup orange juice 1 1/3 cup whole wheat pearl couscous Salad ¼ cup orange juice 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar 2/3 cup dried cherries 3 medium carrots, chopped 3 ounces baby arugula ½ cup walnuts, lightly toasted 3 shallots, peeled and thinly sliced Flaky sea salt and freshly ground black pepper Put the water and the orange juice in a medium pot and bring to a boil. Stir in the whole wheat couscous, cover the pan, and turn the heat down to a simmer. Cook for 20 minutes. Begin preparing the salad by whisking together the orange juice, olive oil, and vinegar Somers Team Spirit Half Page Ad 2 copy.pdf 1 5/2/16 8:13 AM in a glass measuring cup or microwaveable bowl. Add the dried cherries and microwave
for 2 minutes on high. Set aside to allow the cherries to stand in the liquid until they are glossy, plump, and soft. When the couscous is finished, pour into a large bowl. Stir in the steeped cherries with the liquid, carrots, arugula, toasted walnuts, and sliced shallots. Toss together and season with with salt and pepper if needed. Serve warm, or at room temperature. •
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Page 8 Continued from Page 1. burials at Mutual Burial Ground of Kensington have been German-Americans. This demographic can be understood substantially more if specific archaeological surveys of the ground take place. However, when constructing buildings, “ground penetrating radar” is not set to the proper settings to find things like bones and pine coffins, but rather thousand-gallon gas tanks and larger obstructions. Luckily, almost the entire structure sitting on the cemetery was built on a concrete-slab, without basements (probably to avoid remains). Only trivial amounts of the earth were disturbed by these 1920s constructions, likely between 8” and 4’, which are too shallow to encounter human remains. In addition to death certificates, proof of the Mutual Burial Ground’s existence is found in land deeds, numerous atlases and maps, church archives, the public ledger, and in the works of many historians. In the 1730s, Kensington founder Anthony Palmer sold portions of his land called Hope Farm to many buyers, including Port Richmond founder William Ball. Ball rented his land to Revolutionary War hero John Hewson, who shared his property, at times, with his friends George and Martha Washington. Palmer sold the land that would become the Mutual Burial Ground to the Warders (Blair Street used to be named Warder Street) who owned it until 1832. Church cemeteries filled quickly due to Philadelphia's dense population in young-America. The Palmer family donated part of their land as a free cemetery that opened in 1765. Palmer Cemetery, while free, charged for burial costs, and did not guarantee you a plot near loved ones. Still, it was better for poor and working-class citizens, who could not afford church cemetery plots, starting at $100 plus fees (i.e. Christ Church). Beginning in the 1820s, mutual burial grounds (not religiously-affiliated) arose throughout Philadelphia for poor citizens to affordably bury loved ones together. Family plots began at $10. Because the poor occupied these cemeteries, they were not exceptionally maintained and were often built on less-than-ideal land, which could lead to sinking gravestones (i.e. Franklin Square, but more on this later). In 1831, two mutual burial grounds opened locally: Union Burial Ground of Northern Liberties and Kensington and Union Harmony Burial Ground. Archives in the Kensington Methodist Episcopal Church show that the Mutual Burial Ground of Kensington opened at Frankford & Berks (Blair Street did not cut through the block yet) by 1832. A July 27, 1833 plot deed states Jacob Coleman and James McCormick were owners of the land, used “for burial purposes only” and that “no person of colour or those who have been publicly executed” could be buried there. This property had the dimensions of the Mutual Burial Ground, making them the owners of the cemetery. The earliest burial record for the site is dated 28 October 1832. They were buried by November 3rd. The individual buried was 14-month-old Sarah Ann
The Spirit of the Riverwards – June 1, 2016 Cassady who died of marasmus, which is severe malnutrition causing the individual to appear emaciated. Sarah, who barely lived past her first birthday, is one of several thousands potentially buried underground at Frankford, Berks, and Blair. Details of the 1833 plot deed described the men who split the property sale of the land: Jacob Coleman-dry goods merchant, James McCormick-shoe maker, Christopher Dillman-dentist, Nicholas Helverson-cabinet maker/wellknown undertaker, and George W. Coleman-dry goods merchant. All of these men were from Northern Liberties. Several men co-purchasing a lower-class cemetery yielding little return-on-investment (if any) leads one to believes that this was an act of goodwill, for which Philadelphians were known. Ten months before Sarah Ann Cassady’s burial, Stephen Girard died, whose will delegated the largest-ever donation in American history (until Rockefeller 50+ years later) to build a school for orphans. In the 1850s, William McNeely bought out the interest in the property from everyone on the 1833 deed, but it was still used for burials, with Nicholas Helverson as undertaker. Helverson also maintained the Franklin Cemetery; his sons followed in his footsteps. The latest burial record discovered for the Mutual Burial Ground was for 8-month five-day-old Andrew Troop, who died of spinal cord inflammation on September 29, 1868. This means that the cemetery operated for at least 35 years, 10 months, 18 days. The cemetery likely stopped burials because it was full, since it still operated as a cemetery for almost 30 years after. This space was consistently labeled “Cemetery,” “Burial Ground,” “Burying Ground,” and “Cem” on atlases and maps until 1892. 1895 atlases show the area empty and unlabeled. This could be because 27 years of nonuse cause gravestones to sink and grass to grow over them. Another possibility could be that the McNeely’s began covering or removing gravestones themselves to start selling off the land. Surveyors would consider the cemetery inactive and stop labeling it as such. The only record found of the cemetery closing is from May 11th, 1914. W.S. Helverson (Nicholas’s son) asked the city for permission to remove “200 bodies more or less” for relocation to Mt. Zion Cemetery for the cost of $25. The land was joined together with other lots Charles McNeely (William’s son) owned, and converted into the Kensington Playground by 1922. The playground is now the location of the Shissler Recreation Center. By 1930, maps show garages built on Frankford, which is now home to the Philadelphia Sculpture Gym and the Auto Repair garage. The issue with the body removal proposal is the number of bodies “removed” from the location. Local Historian Kenneth Milano gathered a 38-week sample of burials that he cited in a Proposal for Historical Designation for this site, which the city is meeting about in two weeks. This sample purposefully excluded the years 1832-1849 in order to avoid abnormally high death tolls from multiple cholera and smallpox epidemics. Avoiding these years ensures that the burial rate is not skewed. The only burial from 1832 is for Sarah Ann Cassady, because it is the earliest-found record for the Mutual Burial Ground.
The sample’s burial rate is 6.3 per week (329 per year), which is 164.5 percent more bodies in just one year than McNeely’s 1914 cemetery removal for 36 years of burials. This rate equates to about 12,000 burials over the duration of its operation, without considering epidemic years. Realistically, this cemetery may be congested with 12,000+ bodies, but one can assume that at least several thousands of bodies still remain. Under the addresses 1834-46 Frankford Avenue is enough room for 500-1,000 graves. In addition to enormous numbers of bodies being present (making it unlikely they were all removed), cemetery removal is notoriously incomplete and hastily done, especially for lower-class burial grounds. There are numerous examples of insufficient cemetery removal in Philadelphia. The First African Baptist Church Cemetery closed in 1822. Hundreds of bodies were found in 1983-84 and again in 1990. The German Reformed Church Cemetery, closed in 1836, sank into the ground that became Franklin Square. Gravestones, coffins, and skulls were found in 1915, throughout the 1920s, and 1925, when buildings sewer lines, subway rails, and the Ben Franklin Bridge. Construction continued anyway. An archaeological survey was conducted during a 1976 sewer line project. Still, construction continued anyway. No other excavations took place. 3,000 bodies were found under a playground from the Mother Bethel Cemetery. Colonial graves were found at the Second Presbyterian Church Cemetery when the National Convention Center was built on top of it. Graves were found under a playground when building the William Dick Elementary School. Burials were found when constructing I-95. 300 bodies were found when building the Willard School, even though 8,000 bodies were “removed.” There is definitive reason to believe that graves are still at the site of the Mutual Burial Ground of Kensington — of the thousands of bodies likely buried at the Mutual Burial Ground of Kensington, not a single record exists that these bodies were actually removed. •
andrew troop,
8
months,
5 days old, died of infla20 september 1868, buried of kensington on 23 sept
mation of spinal cord on at mutual burial ground
1868.
this represents the last burial record found
thus far for this cemetery. courtesy: pennslyvania, philadelphia city death certificates,
ariel view of
(pin
1834-1848
and
31st Wards, 1887 Created
by:
Geo.
frankford ave. structure
drop) with an overlay in red of cemetert bound-
aries according to
Atlas of the City of Philadelphia, 18th, 19th, W. & Walter S. Bromley
1807-1915.
1849
sidney map.
Atlas of the City of Philadelphia by Wards 1893 by J. E. Schiedt, draughtsman
The Spirit of the Riverwards – June 1, 2016
ff
Page 9
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The Spirit of the Riverwards – May 25, 2016 WRITTEN BY ANDREW MARK CORKERY
holy schism
NEW CONSERVATION GROUP EMERGES AS SUPPORTERS OF CHURCH SEEK CONSENSUS ON FUTURE OF HISTORIC FISHTOWN BUILDING
H
ow much longer will the debate over the future of this historic Fishtown church last? Last month, supporters of St. Laurentius Church, (1608 E Berks St.) gathered at Unsung Heroes Gallery (2024 E Arizona St) for a meeting of the minds between members of Save St. Laurentius (SSL) and the Faithful Laurentians (FL), a new preservation group started by members of the community. Both organizations support different proposals for the future of the structure. The building has been closed since March 31, 2014 and was deconsecrated due to the findings of an engineering report commissioned by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and completed by structural engineering firm O’Donnell & Naccarato. Since the publishing of that report, some of its findings have been disputed by other engineering firms and specialists. In February 2016, Leo Voloshin, the owner of the Kensington-based textile design company Printfresh Studio, entered a preliminary agreement to purchase St. Laurentius Church from the Holy Name of Jesus Parish. This agreement is supported by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia (AOP). Voloshin plans on turning the interior of the church into apartments while keeping the exterior “entirely intact.” SSL is open to the proposal of the church’s interior being adaptively reused as apartments, whereas FL are opposed to any reuse of the building that seeks to alter elements of the building’s interior. Despite the two groups’ differences, the meeting at Unsung Heros Gallery began without debate and instead focused on name introductions of each supporter who filled the gallery that night. By the time everyone had a chance to speak, more than an hour had passed with opening remarks noticeably morphing into a series of emotional tales that showcased each supporters’ lasting devotion to the church, many of which spanned generations.
“Each story struck a common chord within all of us,” FL posted to their Facebook page after the event. “And when we were finished, we no longer felt like strangers, after sharing stories of baptisms and funerals, heartache and joy, we felt intimately connected.” Jesse Gardner, director of the Unsung Hero’s Gallery and supporter of FL, lent his gallery space for the meeting after hearing about the story of the church through social media. Once he was introduced to a number of supporters from both groups for the first time in person that night, Gardener said, “a lot of it was just an exchange of information, but the meeting was a realization that this matters. It raised people’s consciousness of how much they really care.” Once everyone was introduced to each other and the heartfelt storytelling about St. Laurentius ended, it was time to get down to brass tax: The point for the meeting was to discuss the specifics of an alternative proposal to Voloshin’s current plan. FL’s proposal was described in detail by Jeanne Murphy Curtis, a board member of the group. “The business plan is pretty much complete,” Curtis said. “Not to say we can’t alter it in any way, but it is really a two fold plan. Number one is to create a non profit 501(c) (3) group called The Faithful Laurentius Institute that is charged with writing grants, seeking donations, doing public outreach and setting up educational programs to educate people about the church.” Curtis acknowledges that a nonprofit model with donation and grant funded initiatives would not allow for the repair of the church's structural issues, nor provide economic viability to the project long term. This is where Curtis says the second element of the business plan comes in. A cooperative business arm called the St. Laurentius Polish Cultural Center would be heavily engaged in event planning, hosting weddings, corporate events, community functions, concerts and other events to provide much needed fiscal sustainability to their proposal for the church. According to Curtis, an interior designer by trade, the building would be leasable for a fee, between $2,500 to $5,000 depending on the day, time, and type of event, “The key to making this successful is having a money generating business associated with [the structure]. So in order for that not to get muddied, both the nonprofit and the business venture have to be separate initiatives with the same common goal, which is the perseveration and sustainability of the building long term,” Curtis said. “People would also invest in the building by investing in shares of this business concept. So once that building is sustainable, which based on the business plan could happen at the end of the 5th year, those investors would get a
return on that investment.” Curtis, for all her efforts with the group, is not a former parishioner of St. Laurentius, but says she was raised Catholic. Her involvement with the church started in March 2015, when she was approached by Meghan Thomson, a friend and committee member of SSL, to assist in raising support for the group. Since that time, disagreements formed within SSL on how best to pursue a sustainable future for the church. These disagreements lead Curtis and others to break off from SSL and create FL. The new group’s central difference with SSL is their insistence on keeping the entirety of the church intact, including the interior, and dismissing the potential apartment adaptive reuse plan. FL claims that Voloshin’s proposed re-development does not meet the concerns and needs of many former parishioners. “Maybe it can’t be a church again, but how can we find a compromise so that void in our lives can be filled?” Curtis said. “Because we really do want to be able to go back into that space and have those moments of peace that we had before.” The discussion of adaptive reuse and the uncertainty surrounding this proposed plan has caused a schism between the two groups — a divide that serves as a reminder of the long road ahead for those who wish to save their church. “Save St. Laurentius have done a lot of good and they are great people, but they do not share the same perspective,” Curtis said. “It's not because Leo is not a great guy, or that I’m a curmudgeon or not a forward thinker. The issue is the space is a work of art and that space is more than just a historic edifice and that is what would happen if it was converted into apartments. It would be an historic edifice.” Members of SSL hold on to their own convictions supporting the adaptive reuse just as firmly as the new group opposes it. SSL sees Voloshin’s plan as a proper and acceptable outcome, especially given what they see as the alternative. “I personally felt that the most awesome and holy part of the church was the inside,” John Wisniewski of the SSL Committee, said. “I was of the mindset that if we can’t have the inside then the heck with it, but then I realized that half of the package is better than none.” Wisniewski explains that SSL’s distrust of the AOP partially explains the group’s decision to settle on adaptive reuse of the building's interior along with the preservation of the exterior: “If you don’t allow for something like this (the apartments) to happen, then to be realistic, the church will sit and the AOP will sit on it. Then when L&I tells [the AOP] to fix it they will say we are very poor, we have no money to fix it, and they will wind up knocking it down. So we have a limited timeframe to make something happen.” Even with wide ranging disagreements between the two groups, Wisniewski and some other members of SSL attended the meeting at the Unsung Heroes Gallery to listen to FL’s plan and begin a dialogue on how to best to facilitate a path for the building's future. Wisniewski says he was encouraged by the meeting: “Most of the people at the meeting did not want the building to be repurposed as appartments. I was encouraged, though, by the plan that they discussed, with the community involvement in there and the cultural aspects of their proposal. It was a very nice approach and a very legitimate one — I think many people there were energized.” This public display of support between the two groups comes in contrast to recent heated exchanges between both groups, mostly chronicled in a series of comments on the Save St. Laurentius Watchdog Facebook group. “Now it's an agree to disagree situation... but there was this idea that there was pervasive hatred and that it was us against them,” Curtis said. “Sometimes when things like that happen, some people become so convinced of it and there is no unconvincing them. I’ll be honest, I think it went both ways.” Since then, tensions between the two groups have gone from simmering to lukewarm, depending on who you talk to. Chuck Valentine is a member of the Holy Name of Jesus Parish Council and, like Gardner of Unsung Heroes Gallery, has offered space at Holy Name to allow both groups, along with residents in the surrounding area, to meet and reach a consensus on a path forward together. “I have been a part of meetings before about different issues with upwards of 500 people screaming at me and full police protection. So I’m used to dealing with disagreements,” Valentine said. “I have reached out to see if the FNA (Fishtown Neighborhood Association) would like us to host a meeting with residents in the area, the St. Laurentius supporters, along with L&I, and/or [Voloshin]. So Continued on Page 15.
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The Spirit of the Riverwards – June 1, 2016 COMMUNITY
CALENDAR N E W S @ S P I R I T N E W S . O R G • 1 4 2 8 E . S U S Q U E H A N N A AV E • 2 1 5 . 4 2 3 . 6 2 4 6 Friday, June 3 5-7 PM GREEN CITY, CLEAN WATERS TALK Members of Philadelphia Water’s Public Engagement Department will be discussing the effects of the Green City, Clean Waters program at Fishtown’s Lutheran Settlement House. The talk will focus on the progress made over the last five years and mark the program’s successful reduction of pollution. Besides the discussion there will be an activity for kids to demonstrate the importance of protecting our rivers. For more information visit, phillywatersheds.org/blog.
Friday, June 3-Sunday, June 5 VISITATION BVM PARISH FESTIVAL Visitation BVM celebrate its 3rd Annual Parish Festival at 300 E. Leigh Ave. (corner of B St.) There will be a moon bounce, an obstacle course and bungee jumping for the kids as well as many games of chance with terrific prizes. Come and enjoy our funnel cakes, deep fried Oreos, Mexican tacos, Puerto Rican pastelillos and bacalaitos, grilled hot dogs and pinchos, Vietnamese spring rolls and water ice. Friday, June 3 from 5-9PM, Saturday, June 4 from 2-8PM, Sunday, June 5 from 1-5PM.
Friday, June 3-August 28 JUSTIN R. WEBB ART EXHIBIT AT CENTRAL TATTOO STUDIO (171 W. GIRARD AVE.) The opening reception for Webb’s exhibit is June 3 from 6-10 PM in the first floor gallery space of Central Tattoo Studio. The exhibit, Interior: Spring/Summer 2016, Webb uses deliberately positioned canvases to evoke a sense of nostalgia through a domestic scene. The gallery will exhibit Webb’s work from June 3 to August 28.
Saturday, June 11 ELM TREE POST 88 FLEA MARKET The American Legion Elm Tree Post 88 Auxiliary will hold a Flea Market & Bake Sale on Saturday June 11th, from 9-2PM. Table spaces are $8.00 each, and the flea market will be set up around the outside perimeter of the Palmer Cemetery. Refreshments and baked goods will be sold inside Elm Tree Post 88, 1414 E. Palmer Street. The Veterans will also hold a flag retirement ceremony inside Palmer Cemetery around 1:30PM. Please bring your old, tattered flags to be retired. Rain date: Sunday, June 12th. For further information, please call Marge at 215-203-0270. Please feel free to leave a message if line is in use.
Friday, June 3 6 PM THE FAITHFUL LAURENTIANS MEETING The Faithful Laurentians invite former parishioners and historical enthusiasts to the Unsung Heroes Art Gallery (2024 Arizona St.) to discuss how to preserve the interior of St. Laurentius Church. Visit the Faithful Laurentians Facebook page for more information. Thursday, June 23-Saturday, June 25 6 PM ST. ADALBERT PARISH SUMMER FESTIVAL The St. Adalbert summer festival is held at Allegheny Ave and Thompson St and features a flea market, Polish and Americ. This year, the dates for the Parish Summer Festival, which is usually held in August, have been changed to the month of June. Join us for lots of fun, treat yourself to some sweets, browse at the flea market, enjoy our homemade Polish and American food, take chances on the specialty baskets, cake booth, jardo booth and much more. Dance and enjoy the music and entertainment. There will be special appearances – Thursday, Polish American String Band, Friday DJ Patty-Pat and Saturday, Continental Polish Music. Friday, June 24th has been designated as Alumni Night. All graduates of St. Adalbert School as well as all former parishioners are invited to come and renew friendships. The festival will take place Rain or Shine! Saturday, June 11, 8-10 AM LADIES OF PORT RICHMOND BREAKFAST Join the Ladies of Port Richmond for their annual Pancake Breakfast fundraiser at the Applebee’s at 2501 Aramingo Ave. Tickets are $8 for adults and $6 for children. The Ladies of Port Richmond organize and raise money to support breast cancer research. Saturday, June 4 NEUMANN FLEA MARKET The Neumann Senior Housing Association (1601 E. Palmer St.) is having a spring fling flea market from 9AM-2PM. No outside vendors. Bake sale, Avon special made goods, and flea market tables. Seniors 75+
Thursday, June 2- Saturday, June 4, 9-11 6PM MOTHER OF DIVINE GRACE ITALIAN FESTIVAL Mother of Divine Grace Parish‘s annual Italian Festival will be held on June 2, 3 and 4; June 9, 10 and 11 at Thompson and Cambria Streets starting at 6PM. Spaghetti suppers will be served every night in our air-conditioned school hall from 5PM until 8PM. (Take-out available beginning at 4:30 pm.) Please join our parish and neighborhood communities and enjoy the delicious fried dough, pizza, sausage and peppers, meatballs, and roast pork sandwiches all cooked homemade and served in the food court; wheels of chance, moon bounce, and plenty of games for children of all ages; beer garden offering craft, domestic and imported beers, along with specialty drinks; and gaming hall. The Sounds of Sinatra will be performed live by a neighborhood favorite “Jack Dee” on June 4 and June 11 from 8 PM to 10 PM. Fun for the entire family! Please feel free to call Patty Ellis at 215.219.4703 for more information!
1815 E. Clearfield St. For more information and to register online, please visit runsignup.com/Race/PA/Philadelphia/RockRun Saturday, June 4 BRIDESBURG REC FLEA MARKET Flea market at the Bridesburg Rec (4601 Richmond St.). Bring your own table, spaces cost $15, 2/$25 For more info 267-738-5414
Saturday, June 4 9 AM-1PM OVERINGTON PARK FLEA MARKET From 9AM-1PM. Flea Market held around outside of park along the 1300 block of Orthodox Street,19124. Reserve a space $10. Please bring your own table. For more info, call 215-533-7747
Sunday, June 5 FRIENDS OF CAMPBELL SQUARE FLEA MARKET The Friends of Campbell Square Spring Flea Market will take place on Sunday, June 5 from 8:00 AM – 1:30 PM. The fee is $20.00 (CASH ONLY / NO CHECKS) for a spot, PRE-PAID, at least two days before and can be dropped off at 3228 Gaul Street. (No vendors please!) The money collected, helps to defray the cost of all future events for the community, in Campbell Square. You must bring your own table. Each pre-paid merchant will be given a participant card to be displayed, at your spot, the day of the flea market. If you are selling anything that needs to be hung up, we ask you to please NOT hang items on the trees, and after the event,please take your unsold goods and trash with you! For more information, please contact Susan Ongirski at 215426-3766.
Saturday, June 11 GLAVIN PLAYGROUND FLEA MARKET Flea Market from 9AM – 2PM at Frank Glavin Playground (2600 E Westmoreland St). Bring your own table, set-up space 2 sidewalk blocks width, $10.00 collected day of event. No spaces reserved, set up early on a first come basis. No food vendors please.
Saturday, June 4 FRIENDS OF PENN TREATY SCHOOL MARKET Friends of Penn Treaty School (FoPT) will hold a family-friendly Flea Market & Craft Sale on Saturday, June 4, from 9AM to 3PM. To rent a space, go towww.eventbrite. com and search "FoPT flea" or contact Brooke at bhoffman@friendsofpenntreaty.org.
Saturday, June 11 BODINE SCHOOLYARD GARDEN WORKDAY Join Bodine staff & students, the Mural Arts Program & nearby neighbors as we work to restore & reimagine the space behind Bodine High School at 4th & George Sts. Come out to learn more about the project and lend a hand as we plant spring and summer plants. Share your ideas of how the schoolyard can live up to it’s potential as a vital community space. For more information contact Linda at linconley@yahoo. com or 215.908-9035.
Saturday, June 4 ROCK MINISTRIES ROCK RUN Rock Ministries serves in the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia, one of the poorest and most distressed communities in America. The Rock feeds thousands of our Kensington neighbors each year at our various outreaches. These include the homeless and severely impoverished, many of whom are dependent upon free food services. The run will go from 8AM-12:30PM, and start at
Thursday, June 9 4 PM SUMMER READING KICK-OFF PARTY Starting at 4 PM, the Fishtown Free Library will host a party to celebrate the beginning of the Philadelphia Free Library’s Summer Reading program. The party will feature a magical performance by the Amazing Magi and fun surprises. To view the complete Summer Reading list visit https://libwww.freelibrary.org/summerreading/. For more info call 215-685-9990.
PAVED LOTS FOR RENT Paved Lots: 1720 N 2nd St REAR 10000sf for $700 per month 918 N 8th St 5000st for $800 per month 932 N 8th St 3000sf for $500 per month 1720 N 2nd FRONT 5000sf for $600 per month Warehouse: 928 N 8th St. 2400sf for $1750 per month. Add 3000sf paved lot for discounted rate of $350 per month Ideal locations (Northern Liberties Vincinity). Minutes from center city, I95 and I76. Great for fleets, storage and parking
Contact: karyn@wulfhartmanagementgroup.com 215.687.8391
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The Spirit of the Riverwards – June 1, 2016
LIBERTY LANDS MUSIC FEST 2016 WRITTEN BY WHITNEY JOHNSON Liberty Lands (Third and Poplar Streets) will be the place for family-friendly fun this Saturday, June 4. The annual Liberty Lands Music Fest, hosted by Northern Liberties Neighbors Association (NLNA), is going to be a day-long party and you are all invited. The fun starts at 9AM with a flea market of 50-60 different vendors. Following the flea market’s conclusion at noon, Philadelphia Brewing Company will arrive to supply food and drinks to visitors all night long. All profits received at the food vendors will benefit the NLNA’s general fund, which aids in clean streets initiatives, the Community Center and Liberty Lands. “It’s a big volunteer effort and it really benefits the whole neighborhood,” Donald Phillips, NLNA member, said. The music begins at 4PM and will conclude around 10PM. All of performing acts are playing pro bono for the event. The lineup includes: Music Monkey Jungle: A kid-friendly group will kick off the evening, playing songs for your little monkeys. This group of seven musicians plays a variety of string instruments, including the guitar, banjo and ukelele. To hear some of their songs ahead of time, check out their YouTube page. Ken Ulansey Ensemble: This group is as versatile as they come — The Ken Ulansey Ensemble plays genres ranging from ‘soft dinner jazz’, swing, motown, rock, classical and much more. They are considered a Klezmer band, which means there will be plenty of accordions, fiddles and clarinets involved in their set. You can listen to their demos here. Kevin Killen: Killen’s bio describes him as a producer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist in Philadelphia. He is also a collaboration artist who works and produces music with many Philadelphia artists including Katie Frank, Tin Bird Choir, Chris Bathgate and more. Killen brings his own original folk style to the music world genre.You can find some of his videos here. Shyboyz: The music switches moods slightly with the Shyboyz. Made up of King SoloMon and Airyon Love, these University of Penn graduates are originally from Bulgaria. They currently work in East Falls and are excited to bring their unique style of attention-grabbing indie music to the Liberty Lands. To get a sneak peek of their style these are their videos. Minka: Minka’s music, in my opinion, is a pleasant mixture of pop and indie with catchy beats and interesting lyrics. You can listen to the band’s song “kids these days” here. They will be closing out the event and it should a very positive upbeat ending to a day of music.
Come out and support the NLNA while enjoying music and other things. If you would like any further information, please contact Donald Phillips at don.jmp@gmail.com
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The Spirit of the Riverwards – June 1, 2016 COMMUNITY
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The Spirit of the Riverwards – June 1, 2016 Continued from Page 11. we are still trying to set something up.” Voloshin says that he wants to engage with all St. Laurentius supporters and the community as a whole regarding his potential adaptive reuse. “I’m interested in trying to make this work,” Voloshin said. “I know not everyone is behind the idea of adaptive reuse as apartments and I understand that people are very attached to the church being what it was. I know that is not something I can control. So my plan is to keep the community involved as things move forward.” One thing that does unite both conservation groups is their disdain for Philadelphia’s Catholic hierarchy, who they see as spiteful and unaffected by their constant calls to have more influence on the future of the church. In response to these claims, Ken Gavin, Communications Director of AOP, has stated that “Representatives from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and Holy Name of Jesus Parish have met with those concerned about the future of the former church building on at least five separate occasions. The majority of those meetings were held at Holy Name of Jesus Parish and one was held in the office of the President of City Council.” Despite what the AOP says, distrust of the Catholic Church has spilled over among some St. Laurentius preservationists. At the Unsung Heroes Gallery meeting, some in attendance put forth more than a few conspiracy theo-
ries regarding the church’s fate. One theory casts Voloshin as a pawn of the AOP and holds that if the property is sold to him he will claim financial hardship to the Philadelphia Historical Commission (PHC). Last July, PHC designated the exterior of St. Laurentius as historic, protecting the structure from demolition. But even with the designation, if the Parish, AOP or developer claims financial hardship on a historic site, meaning that they don’t have enough money for necessary repairs, than demolition could still occur. This theory concludes if the developer were granted such a financial hardship, he would decide to demolish as much of the block as possible in order to build “a hotel.” Wisniewski says that while unfounded theories regarding the church can be problematic, they are just a product of the conditions the AOP has created for people trying to give their church new life. “[The AOP] are the ones who foster this kind of ideology because no matter what they told us in the past, it has been a lie since before the merger [of St. Laurentius and Holy Name] and on,” Wisniewski said. “Now I’m not defending this kind of speculative thinking in any way, and in a way I’m sure it does harm efforts. But you have to understand and realize where this thinking comes from.” The AOP upholds that it understands those in the community have an emotional attachment to the building for good reason. The Archdiocese believes that they are assisting Holy Name in responding to a hard economic reality.
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Page 15
“Holy Name of Jesus owns the former Saint Laurentius Church building,” Ken Gavin told Spirit News via email in response to a series of questions. “The parish cannot afford the necessary repairs and it is seeking a prudent way to face this challenge.” This ownership claim by the AOP brings to light another major point of agreement between the St. Laurentius support groups: Both believe that it’s the former parishioners of St. Laurentius who really own the church. In March 2016, Spirit News reported that leading members of SSL sent a number of letters to embattled Attorney General Kane’s office. The letters sought to put forth the case for a multifaceted charitable trust violation claim against the AOP. The SSL committee states in the letter that: “the building was left forever in trust for the Roman Catholic Congregation of St. Laurentius. Subject to a mortgage debt of $5,000. This language is significant and not typical of most Roman Catholic churches deeds.” But in order for FL’s proposed Polish Heritage Center and additional reuse of the church’s interior to see the light of day, this ownership dispute has to be resolved in favor of St. Laurentius supporters. That necessity has made getting the state’s AG involved a top priority for FL. According to one of the group's board members, they now have a “sympathetic ear” in the AG’s office with communication occurring between both parties on an almost bi-weekly basis. We reached out to the Attorney General’s office regarding their potential support for St. Laurentius preservationists, but their office did not reply to our request for comment in time for the publication. Both St. Laurentius support groups are in agreement regarding the pursuit of a trust violation claim, but their fractured nature on what plan to support for the church moving forward could spell trouble for Voloshin. When it comes to gaining community backing for a zoning variance required to switch the church’s current designation from single family use to multiple family use, the jury is still out. In light of the divided community sentiment regarding the future of St. Laurentius, Spirit News sought the insight of a professional. John James Pron, is a historical architecture professor of 37 years at Temple University, and specializes in the areas of historic preservation and adaptive reuse. “It’s facing up to reality and looking for the best compromise that benefits the highest priorities of the largest number of people,” Pron said. “In the case of St. Laurentius: No, it’s not realistic to believe that a huge and magnificent edifice like that can ever expect to continue to operate as a Catholic Church with pews full of parishioners, but the community could also not fathom demolishing it.” The Faithful Laurentians invite former parishioners and historical enthusiasts to the Unsung Heroes Art Gallery (2024 Arizona St.) to discuss how to preserve the interior of St. Laurentius Church on Friday, June 3rd. •
The Spirit of the Riverwards – March 2, 2016
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