The Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral received approval Friday to demolish two historic buildings in the 3700 block of Chestnut Street, clearing the way for construction of a 25-story apartment tower.
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.”
Beautiful Cathedral. Must not have had enough people to fill the pews, because they apparently removed them (do a quick google image search of the Episcopal Cathedral in Philadelphia and you will see what I mean). No mention of Jesus, Trinity, etc. on the website…. just the generic, “abundant and unconditional” God.
The Episcopal Cathedral of Philadelphia… the friendliest, most polite, most welcoming, most unconditional church that no one wanted to be a part of. Makes me sad.
What’s sick about this is that they are not even building low income housing. They are building high rise penthouses for rich people.
#1:
It [i]is[/i] beautiful. Thanks for the heads-up! Fwiw, I think a lot of traditional European cathedrals lack pews as well. I believe worshippers originally stood, then most places added chairs.Following that tradition, the National Cathedral here in DC has always had chairs rather than pews.
…coming soon to a church forced to be vacated by TEC litigation near you! I anticipate seeing this shortly in Northern Virginia; not to Truro or The Falls Church, but to the buildings of their smaller sisters.