Churches need saviors

Preserving former houses of worship takes verve

Two lovely old churches were in the news this month for the wrong reasons. They are both in hot zones for city real estate development — and are in danger of being demolished. Both buildings have different backstories, but the end result is the same: Money, dedication and ingenuity are what can save a church building, not just moral appeals.

On Monday, Commonwealth Court upheld a decision to deny historic status to Albright United Methodist Church in Bloomfield. A developer has been seeking to raze the building for retail or other use, with the support of Methodist leaders eager to sell. And last week, Mayor Bill Peduto joined the choir of people objecting to the proposed demolition of Holy Family Church in Lawrenceville. An earlier proposal called for the spacious structure to become part of an apartment complex. The project shifted hands, and the new developer said it could not make the numbers work to keep the church intact (though the demo plan has just been paused).

The churches of Pittsburgh represent a cultural tapestry that should be cherished. Sadly, as pews empty out, church leaders must make hard decisions about their physical plant and their mission. Not every former house of worship can be saved, though every effort to do so can be applauded. St. Helen Catholic Church in East Pittsburgh recently became The Holy Grail Garage and Car Club — maybe not everyone’s cup of tea, but the building survives. It takes more than prayers to find new uses for old churches.