Landmark Woodlawn Church Could Be Demolished After Fire
CHICAGO (CBS) -- A Catholic church that has stood in Woodlawn for nearly a century might be torn down, after it was devastated by a massive fire last fall.
The Shrine of Christ The King Sovereign Priest, 6401 S. Woodlawn Av., already survived one fire 40 years ago, and the landmark building was years into a restoration project when an extra-alarm blaze caused severe damage, including a collapsed roof, on Oct. 7, 2015.
Supporters have raised more than $63,000 online toward a restoration project, but the Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago has filed for a permit to tear down what's left of the building.
"Based on extensive engineering and other evaluations the Archdiocese has concluded that the church building has significant structural issues and to restore the building to its state before the fire and to bring it up to current City of Chicago building code standards is cost prohibitive. The Archdiocese is predominantly self-insured and therefore there is no resort to an insurance claim with an external insurer," the church said in a post on its Facebook page.
In a message to supporters, the Institute of Christ The King Sovereign Priest said it has been given two options: come up with a proposal to rebuild the church on the same site, or move into another South Side church "which is now available for occupancy."
The church said it is "carefully considering" the first option, "mindful of its pastoral dedication and the Shrine's important place in the Woodlawn and Hyde Park communities."
Dave Kelly has called Shrine of Christ the King Church his parish home for nearly a decade.
"I had been away from the church and was asking God to find me a good church, with good holy priests and then I found the Shrine here," Kelly said.
Kelly says even though it doesn't look good, he still has hope.
"My prayer is that God will put us where he wants us to be," Kelly said. Whether it be here, or somewhere else. I hope it's here, because I think the community needs us here."
The fire that ravaged the church was caused by spontaneous combustion of improperly stored rags used to apply floor stain to the choir loft floor.
Firefighters were able to salvage several artifacts from the church, including a baby Jesus statue from the 18th century.
The ornate limestone building, previously named St. Gelasius Church, received city landmark status in 2004, so the church would need authorization from the Commission on Chicago Landmarks to demolish the building.
Supporters have asked people to come out for the regular Landmarks Commission meeting Thursday afternoon at City Hall. Commission staff will provide an update on the proposed demolition.
A spokeswoman for the Archdiocese of Chicago says they would like to save the building, but say it is unsafe and cost prohibitive.
"The Archdiocese is committed to making sure the congregation that worships at the Shrine of Christ the King Sovereign Priest has a church in the future and has offered the Institute the opportunity to propose a plan for rebuilding a new church on the same site," said Archdiocese spokeswoman Susan Burritt in a statement. "As another option, the Archdiocese has offered other existing churches available for immediate occupancy."
Designed in the Renaissance Revival style, with massive Corinthian columns, the St. Gelasius Church building was built in 1923, designed by architect Henry J. Schlacks, who designed several other churches in Chicago and the suburbs, and taught the first formal courses in architecture at the University of Notre Dame in the 1890s.