The city’s Department of License and Inspection Review Board ruled this week that a neighborhood group has legal standing to challenge the pending demolition of a historically certified church owned by an AIDS-services organization.
The Callowhill Neighborhood Association wants to preserve the Church of the Assumption, 1133 Spring Garden St., on the basis that it’s a “critical” part of Philadelphia’s history that attracts many visitors to the area.
But the church’s owner, Siloam Ministries, says it no longer can afford to maintain the dilapidated church, nor can it find a buyer.
In September, the Philadelphia Historical Commission granted permission for the demolition, noting it would be unreasonable to expect Siloam to continue maintaining the structure.
At the Nov. 30 hearing, assistant city solicitor Leonard F. Reuter said the association lacks standing to litigate because none of its members would be personally harmed if the demolition occurred and that the association’s service area doesn’t cover the church.
But Samuel C. Stretton, an attorney for the association, disagreed, saying that many of the association’s members would be directly harmed if the church is demolished and that the boundaries of the association’s service area do encompass the church.
After ruling unanimously that the neighbors have standing to litigate, the board continued the hearing until 10 a.m. Jan. 20, at 1515 Arch St., 18th floor.
— Tim Cwiek