Judge hears arguments in Siloam dispute
Philadelphia Common Pleas Judge Idee C. Fox heard arguments May 10 in the dispute involving an AIDS organization that wants to demolish an old Catholic church.
Siloam, an organization that provides holistic health care to people impacted by HIV/AIDS, wants to demolish the former Church of the Assumption, 1133 Spring Garden St.
Siloam contends it cannot afford to repair and stabilize the dilapidated church, which would allegedly cost about $6 million.
The organization purchased the church from the Archdiocese about six years ago, as part of a package deal that also included a rectory, convent, storefront and three parking lots.
As a newborn, St. Katharine Drexel was baptized in the church in 1858, according to court papers.
Members of the Callowhill Neighborhood Association say Siloam should keep trying to sell the property, because the area is experiencing an economic rebirth.
“Sooner or later, that property is going to get sold — with or without a church on it,” said Andrew R. Palewski, a neighborhood activist. “The era of decline is over in this neighborhood. Demolishing the church would be moving in a direction that’s opposite the direction the neighborhood is moving in.”
The church, built in 1848, was designated a historic resource by the Philadelphia Historical Commission in May 2009.
But in September 2010, the commission cleared the way for its demolition because it allegedly poses a financial hardship to Siloam.
In May 2011, the city’s Board of License and Inspection Review blocked the demolition, agreeing with neighbors that more time is needed to sell the property.
Now Siloam is asking Fox to reverse the review-board’s decision — and to clear the way for the demolition without further delay.
Samuel C. Stretton, an attorney for CNA, told the judge that Siloam should have marketed all of its property — including a rectory and convent — before claiming financial hardship.
Marissa R. Parker, an attorney for Siloam, said Siloam fulfilled all of its legal obligations before claiming financial hardship.
“Siloam has worked very hard to follow the rules and regulations that the city has set forth to establish financial hardship,” Parker said. “Nobody relishes tearing down a church. Unfortunately, there’s a real hardship here.”
Fox said she will take the arguments under advisement before rendering a decision.
— Tim Cwiek
Get out for FIGHT
This month’s Queers on the Avenue LGBT social will raise funds for local HIV/AIDS service organization Philadelphia FIGHT.
Partygoers are invited to Le Virtù, 1927 E. Passyunk Ave., from 6-9 p.m. May 23.
The event will feature discounted cocktails, light fare and ample networking opportunities, with a portion of the proceeds going to FIGHT.
Walk against hate
The Anti-Defamation League will host its second-annual Philadelphia Walk Against Hate from 2-4:30 p.m. May 20.
The 5K walk will take place on Martin Luther King Drive, adjacent to the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
The walk seeks to raise awareness about the impact of prejudice and the value of embracing diversity.
The kid-friendly event is $10 for adults and $5 for youth.
Funds will benefit ADL programming such as No Place for Hate, which provides anti-bullying training and certification for schools.
For more information or to register, visit www.walkagainsthate.org.
Fellowship offered for ACLU leader
The American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania is offering a fellowship for law students and recent graduates to help the agency carry on the work of a late LGBT advocate.
ACLU is accepting applications for its 2012-13 Larry Frankel Legislative Fellowship. The selected fellow will assist in state lobbying, research and outreach and education efforts, among other tasks.
The position is named after the local ACLU chapter’s openly gay former executive director and longtime legislative director. Frankel died in 2009.
Candidates must be law or graduate students or recent graduates of a law or graduate school. The fellowship is unpaid but ACLU will work with programs that offer compensation or course credit.
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis.
Interested candidates should send a letter of interest, résumé and writing samples to [email protected] or to ACLU of Pennsylvania, P.O. Box 11761, Harrisburg, PA 171018, to the attention of Andy Hoover, legislative director.
— Jen Colletta