Developer seeks to tear down parts of church complex in Butchers Hill
Community groups object to plan to build townhouses at the historic St. Michael’s Church complex.
Above: Demolition is proposed for the brick wall and brick buildings in this view of the St. Michael’s Church complex from Chapel Street.
The commission on historic preservation will hold a hearing today on plans to demolish a large swath of the St. Michael’s Church compound in East Baltimore to make way for 16 townhouses.
The proposal by developer Mark B. Manzo to demolish the rectory, school building and retaining wall of the square-block complex at Wolfe and Lombard streets has raised the hackles of several community groups.
The Butchers Hill Association and Fells Prospect Community Association are opposing the request, saying the threatened buildings are in sound condition and could be re-used.
Fells Prospect president Victor Corbin criticized the developer for coming to the community “with no true concept” and asking for blanket support of the demolition.
Map of church complex around 1896, before construction of the parish hall. BELOW: the complex in 1950. (CHAP)
“Far too often buildings are demolished and the lots remain vacant for years,” Corbin wrote to the commission.
While “we feel this project could have a positive effect on the greater Fell’s Point community,” the existing plans are “incomplete and there is no clear vision,” Corbin said.
Built for Immigrants
At issue before the Commission for Historical and Architectural Preservation (CHAP) today is whether the threatened buildings are “contributory” or “non-contributory” to the complex, which was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1989.
Built to serve German immigrants flocking into East Baltimore in the 19th Century, the church grew into a self-contained world of educational, religious and social assimilation, boasting 2,200 parish families at its height.
The Redemptorists Fathers ran the stone-clad Romanesque church, with its striking 180-foot steeple.
The Marian Brothers were responsible for the boys school, and the Sisters of Notre Dame taught a girls school noted for its business and secretarial classes.
Eventually, the complex included a Lyceum, parish hall, courtyard and garden – all connected by walkways – while its teaching facilities spilled over to the west side of Wolfe Street.
Corbin and other community leaders believe Manzo’s plan to tear down the former girls school on Lombard Street and the rectory on Wolfe Street could destroy the unique historic complex.
The former girls school (shown next to the church on Lombard Street) would be demolished under the developer’s plan. (Photo by Mark Reutter)
Manzo proposes to build townhouses along Lombard, Chapel and Wolfe streets, according to his application to CHAP.
He says he will retain the church and parish hall on Baltimore Street, the latter to be converted into apartments.
Closed in 2011
After years of shrinking attendance and the closing of the schools, St. Michael’s underwent a revival serving the growing Hispanic population in East Baltimore in the last 20 years.
But the cost of upkeep finally proved too much for the Redemptorists.
The last mass was held at St. Michael’s in October 2011 and the complex was put up for sale.
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CHAP’s demolition review hearing is scheduled at 1:30 p.m. today (May 14) at the Department of Planning, 8th floor of Benton Building, 417 E. Fayette St.