Cincinnati board recommends landmark status for ‘rare’ church facing demolition
The Historic Conservation Board on Monday unanimously recommended approval of historic landmark designation for St. Mark’s Catholic Church in Evanston.
The recommendation comes amid a fight to save the 105-year-old church. The Archdiocese of Cincinnati, its current owner, filed for a demolition permit earlier this year.
“If not this, what is the Historic Conservation Board for? This is an amazing building, and until we are shown that there is no way it can be used, this is the ground on which I think we need to choose to fight,” said board Chairman Tim Voss.
Voss mentioned the recommendation could trigger a lawsuit by the Archdiocese. Per the city charter, board recommendations can be appealed to the Zoning Board of Appeals.
No one from the archdiocese was present for Monday’s virtual public comment or vote.
Barring an appeal, the recommendation goes to the Planning Commission, which will vote to approve or disapprove of the designation. If approved, an ordinance will be drafted for a City Council vote.
St. Mark opened in 1916 on Montgomery Road with its imposing basilica and 130-foot campanile providing a visual focal point beside the Evanston business district.
It was modeled after St Marie Church in Cosmedio, Italy, and designed by Henry Schlacks, a famous ecclesiastical architect and founder of the Architecture School at Notre Dame.
The designation report submitted to the conservation describes it as “a locally rare and significant example of the Italian Renaissance Revival style applied to a church building.”
In the 1950s, more than 1,200 families worshipped at St. Mark regularly, according to the board.