Manya Brachear contributed an article to the Chicago dechurchification encyclopedia in this morning's Trib. St. Boniface at Chestnut and Noble, closed in 1989 by the Chicago Archdiocese, has sat vacant ever since. Presently there is a local Egyptian Coptic Orthodox Church community that would like to bargain-purchase and then restore and utilize this 104 year old building.
The Diocese answer? A demo permit. C'mon. Knock it down rather than give it to a willing and well-financed church group? I think the Archdiocese can do much better. Its time for the Catholic leadership of our city to love the history of their parishes enough to allow there history to be adopted and carried forward by other Christian groups.
They've done this in some places. One example is Chicago Hope Academy. Once a Catholic parish, the school and church building have been rennovated and now function as a Christian high school and the site of New Life's Tri-Taylor location.
I think Chicago is a better city with its historic sacred spaces being vibrantly and happily used by Christian groups of different ethnicities and theological viewpoints. I'm praying for a city full of churches with that mentallity.
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