The wrecking ball is doing what hurricanes could not
I went out to St. Stephen's early yesterday morning because I heard there was a "watch crew," keeping an eye out for the demolition crew, who were not allowed to work on Sundays.
At this point, what does it matter if they knock down history on Sunday or Monday? But anyway, I arrived to find activist Melissa Meyer there. Then Miami Historian Arva Moore Parks and local activist Dolly MacIntyre arrived.
We stood outside the old church talking. Dolly brought out an old photo from 1912 and Arva was quick to point out that the same cross and bell are standing on top of the structure -- for 97 years! Chills went up and down our spines, you can see this old 1912 photo and the photo I took yesterday.
This cross, and church, have survived almost 100 years, through all sorts of weather and conditions and now a handful of people want to destroy it forever.
A survey of St. Stephens parishioners shows that they were told the old church would be part of the new plans. That is why they approved it. But that seems to be a lie. They were duped as were the folks who approved the Class II permits. It's all about putting retail space on Main Highway.
There is so much land in that area and people are really flabbergasted as to why the small church, a real part of history, is not allowed to stay. It could easily be renovated inside and made to be part of the larger new structure. There is plenty of room. It should be the centerpiece of the project. The whole original structure is there.
St. Stephen's School was good at hiding the fact that the little church was being destroyed as part of their project -- they covered that fact up and pushed the fact that they were building one of the only totally green schools in the area. It was all about going green. How can you destroy the old church that has functioned (mind you, it has not been empty, it has been functioning) for almost 100 years and say you are going green? According to the Miami Herald, "green building practices strongly discourage demolition of existing strutures."
The whole front gate area and the wall and the Heart of the Grove store are all original from the early 1900s. The original pine beams and columns of the porteco can still be seen in the store, without a mark on them, the woodwork under the entrance gate looks brand new, but it is old. It is all perfect. All from the day it was built. For almost 100 years, the place remained a functional, beautiful and viable place, in spite of its inept caretakers.
Basically, they didn't take care of it, but it took care of itself.
Related stories here and here.
Part of the on-going St. Stephen's saga
posted by Tom Falco at 9:30 AM
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14 Comments:
When Realted Group and Jorge perez are behind any project expect what is going on here. Cheating and lies the norm at Related, they runied the entire City as well as contributing to the fall of the Real Estate Market. Now the continue to ruin history. Do you think his kids are getting free tuition?
For what it's worth, the external profile of the 1912 bell tower is much more complex than the simple curvature of the present tower. The two photos seem to depict similar but actually different structures. Was there a replacement some time in the intervening 97 years, i.e., is this in fact the original structure as claimed?
It is a shame that this building will be destroyed. Almost 100 years old and it survived so much already. It is sad this lack for ones own history.
Actually if you morons knew the facts you'd know that this is NOT solely for the sake of retail. The entire reason for this is for the sake of the pre-school kids that had to sit in classrooms that were far below standards. The new facade will do more justice to the history and memory of the place and the people than the former crumbling one ever could.
The people at St. Stephens have no shame. They are teaching their children rotten lessons about history and pride.
This is Miami! Old means it's time for cosmetic surgery!
This isn't even the original structure guys. Get a grip. Unlike a lot of the people involved in this protest, I have actually been in this building and the only thing green about it was the mold gathering and infesting it. Tear it down, it hasn't been a church since 1958 either.
Actually, what is being torn down is a retail space (Heart of the Grove Gallery) and schoolrooms, walls covered with mold, that flooded twice a year because they were two feet below the flood plane. The plans, which have not been changed, were approved in August. What has been changed in the intervening years is the original 1912 church, so much so that the building did not qualify as a historical structure. The building on Main Highway hasn't been used as a church since 1958.
And the Barnacle has not been used as a private home for years, so let's get rid of that too? You guys just don't get it.
If the Barnacle floods because it is two feet below the flood plane, is in danger of crumbling if it is jacked up, is infested with mold and houses school children, then yes. But it doesn't and isn't. And, it is appropriately designated as a Historical Site. Why don't you tell us your name, "Anonymous"? Or shall we continue to take you with a grain of salt?
I certainly hope that the church has vast legal fund because they are going to need it!
Robin,
The saint stevens property is all in excess of 20 feet above sea level. It ISNT in a flood plain moron. In fact, look at the cities own flood map; it is listed as completely outside the special flood hazard.
But hey lets just say for s&^%s and giggles it was in a flood zone, seeing that elevation alone is apparently enough justification to tear down a structure we should rip out everything seaward of bayshore from peacock park to rickenbaker right?
I guess no one's bothered to look down into that courtyard, last big rain there was water gathered round the fountain. I'm happy the mosquitos won't gather there anymore during my morning walk.
more bs from the St stpehen's folks, they had an extensive mosquito system that sprayed their entire property. They don't have any mosquitoes except the human ones.
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