[UC] The Associated Press carried the SW Philly church HD disgrace, too

[Krfapt]

Church declared historic, over archdiocese's objections
Our Lady of Loreto in Southwest Phila. was put on the register for its art moderne design.
Associated Press

A Roman Catholic church in Southwest Philadelphia with an unusual art moderne design has been declared a historic site, to the cheers of its parishioners and over the objections of the archdiocese.

The Philadelphia Historical Commission voted unanimously Friday to add Our Lady of Loreto Church to the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places. Neighbors and about two dozen parishioners cheered when the vote was taken. The church is at Grays Avenue, near 62d Street.

Loreto's school closed in 2000 and was sold to the Philadelphia School District; the church will close July 1 and merge into nearby St. Barnabas parish.

Annamarie Horan, an alumna who spearheaded the historic designation effort, said it began as an attempt to save a community landmark but research uncovered that the church was an architectural rarity.

"We were actually surprised that it was anything more than our little church," she said.

The Archdiocese of Philadelphia's decision to close the church will not be affected by the designation, nor will it halt the removal of the objects inside. It could affect plans to sell the building, and adds protections to a mural of the church's patron saint, its stained-glass windows and other external features.

The archdiocese's attorney, Kevin R. Boyle, told commissioners the archdiocese feels it "would not be proper for a church to come before a public governing body" for permission to operate or dispose of its own property.

Boyle called such action a governmental interference with freedom of religion, citing the Constitution, acts of Congress and a new state law.

The chairman of the Historical Commission, Michael Sklaroff, called the church "remarkable architecture" that "represents an important social movement" but noted the historic designation doesn't stop sale, zoning or use of the building.

Art moderne, a style that followed art deco in the 1930s and featured curving, swept lines, is found in airports and bus terminals of that era but rarely in churches.

Boyle indicated that a court battle looms, saying the school district may not want to buy a building decorated with religious artifacts it would be required to protect - a situation that could raise constitutional issues for the school district.

Even if the building were sold to a Protestant church, according to Msgr. Louis A. D'Addezio, it would need to have all Roman Catholic features removed to avoid what the church calls "profane use."