Stealing Coconut Grove history like thieves in the night
It's a shame that St. Stephen's Church feels the need to destroy a piece of Grove history. Yesterday night they started demolishing the old 1912 church built by Grove pioneers, including Ralph Munroe.Imagine if we still had the Peacock Inn standing at Peacock Park. Imagine if the Woman's Club was to go next.That's sort of what this is like.
This old church was sort of neglected when it could have been the centerpiece of the Grove. The little courtyard out front always had a charm and warmth about it.
We all know that St. Stephens can do what they want with their property, but it seems that when you have a piece of history as part of your property, then that piece of history should be proudly respected and in some sort of way, the history belongs to everyone, not just the person who owns the land or building. The little church was/is believed to be the oldest standing church in the county.
St. Stephens has no respect for the Grove, for their parishioners or for themselves, it seems. And whomever approved the plans for this project dropped the ball big time. They were making such an issue out of Class II permits and such and the most important item was overlooked.
Just the fact that a bunch of fools with sledge hammers started knocking things down -- people who were not even part of the construction crew, says a lot about the character or lack of character of many church members. They were so eager to destroy the building because they knew if there was any sort of hearing, they would probably not be able to destroy things.
Also, the way that Melissa Meyer, a church member and one of the architects, was manhandled by one parishioner also says a lot. St. Stephens sounds like one of those weird cults you hear about. Is this how the church goes about its business?
It's amazing that the little church lasted this long. In Miami, most feel that anything from the 1960s is ancient.
I wasn't there, but Melissa Meyer, was. Her account is here.
Photo by Harry Emilio Gottlieb
Part of the on-going St. Stephen's saga
posted by Tom Falco at 8:30 AM
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8 Comments:
Having been raised there both in the school and the church, St. Stephen's is not a cult. It's a very liberal and accepting Episcopal church. It was a great place to be, and I'm not quite sure what's gotten into their heads.
And by the way, isn't the Catholic church Gesu, downtown by the courthouse, older? I think it was built in 1903
the san miguel mission in new mexico is believed to be the oldest standing church in the nation. Being built and rebuilt in the 1600s. Not that it matters. St stevens still has strong history for Miami, and this late night attempt at a demo stinks to high heaven. People do generally have rights to do as they please with their property, but this right HAS limits. Hence building codes, tree ordinances and other things. Given this is a historical site, demolition in order to preempt a open forum about its value to the community in order to prevent that discussion is wrong if not unlawful. Public comments and hearings are not just a convenience, in many circumstance they are a right (and an obligation of a demolition or any other major development activity).
If each and everyone of us has a right to be notified about any construction work (hence the papers/signs on EVERY construction project that notify people of new construction and info for how one goes about obtaining a public hearing) then shouldnt the public have had a right to be notified and given an opportunity to be heard? Does anyone recall seeing construction public notice fliers around the property?
Someone please start a petiton and deliver to city hall tomorrow.
Commissioner Sarnoff - I promise to never mock you in the Mango Strut again if you can help us out on this one.
Anon 1:38,
Just guessin' here, but "Someone" might figure that if you're too lazy to start the petition, you're probably too lazy to sign the thing, so why bother.
You do need a special waiver to do any work after 6:00 PM! What a surprise the project manager is Jim Werbelow, Vice president of the Related Group. The owner of Related Group Jorge Perez's kids go to St. Stephens. Obviously with this link what did anybody think would happen. Related knows how to get around every rule and be sneaky. Who smells a RAT or should we say RATON.
Demolition is set for 7:00 am. They'll probably try to do it earlier - in the dark.
They are not allowed to start until 8:00 can't anyone in the Grove follow the rules!
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