Preservationists Appeal To Landmarks Commission To Save Woodlawn Church
(CBS) -- Parishioners and preservationists are trying to save a 90-year-old church in Woodlawn, even as the city moves closer to handing the Archdiocese what it asked for: a demolition permit.
The Shrine of Christ the King was ravaged by fire late last year, and the city has already said it's unsafe.
The Archdiocese has said it'll cost too much to restore it.
And when the Archdiocese asked for permission to tear down the landmarked building, the Buildings Department said safety trumps any special status.
The Chicago Landmarks Commission has now heard from the public -- people who want to save the church. Some were parishioners, like Mary Kubacki.
"My family has been coming to the Shrine for about three years now. We've never had what we have here. All our lives we've looked for this. The Shrine is more than a building to us. It's home."
The Landmarks Commission says its hands are tied and cannot delay the demolition permit.
But the commission did vote to send the Archdiocese a record of the public comments.