AIDS agency blocked from razing church
In a unanimous vote, the city’s License and Inspection Review Board this week blocked Siloam Ministries from demolishing the old Church of the Assumption.
The five-member board didn’t explain the decision, which overrides last year’s decision by the city’s Historical Commission permitting the demolition.
The church is located at 1133 Spring Garden St.
In a nearby building, Siloam offers alternate therapies to low-income people with HIV, including Shiatsu massage, stress-reduction techniques and nutritional counseling.
In March, supporters of Siloam testified that the church’s demolition is necessary for Siloam to survive. They said the decaying structure is a drain on Siloam’s limited resources, and is in danger of collapse.
But members of the Callowhill Neighborhood Association testified that the church is a “critical” part of Philadelphia’s history and should be preserved.
CNA members also said it’s possible for Siloam to sell or lease the church to an organization for a reasonable profit.
Siloam acquired the vacant church five years ago when purchasing other buildings from the Archdiocese in a package deal. The church has historic ties to two local saints, John Neumann and Katharine Drexel.
Last September, the Philadelphia Historical Commission agreed with Siloam that the church posed a financial hardship, and permitted the demolition.
But CNA members appealed to the L&I review board.
Kevin R. Boyle, an attorney for Siloam, couldn’t be reached for comment about a possible appeal to Philadelphia Common Pleas Court.
Siloam has until June 17 to file an appeal.
Samuel C. Stretton, an attorney for CNA, also couldn’t be reached for comment.
— Tim Cwiek
Spoken-word event launches
“OUTspoken,” a spoken-word performance created by and for LGBTs, will kick off at 9 p.m. May 26 at The Poet Art Gallery, 4510 Walnut St.
The new open-mic event is meant to offer community members an affirming, welcoming atmosphere that provides an alternative to the nightclub scene.
Original artwork and photography will also be on sale at “OUTspoken,” which is anticipated to become a regular community event.
There is a $5 admission charge, or $10 to drink.
LGBT activist to be honored
Research and policy-development institute Keystone Research Center will recognize Lancaster LGBT activist Adanjesus Marin at its annual dinner next month.
The event will be held at 5:30 p.m. June 9 at the Radisson Hotel Harrisburg-Hershey, 1150 Camp Hill Bypass in Camp Hill.
In addition to Marin, the agency will honor former labor-union leaders Edward Keller and Wendell Young.
Marin, a health-care organizer and chair of the Lancaster City Human Relations Commission, was one of the key backers of the effort to retain the Lancaster County Human Relations Commission, which eventually disbanded earlier this year, and broaden its scope to include LGBT discrimination.
Tickets are $125 and can be purchased at www.keystoneresearch.org.
— Jen Colletta