Now? Well, it's just about gone. But first, a word on it from one of the Project's staunchest allies, Bill:
I went to the site of the Church of Transfiguration today (11/8/09), with my camera, to see what progress has been made. Needless to say, it is a most depressive site. Demolition has commenced and is moving "full speed ahead." The front of the Church is almost completely destroyed. The middle section of the Church looks almost like it is completely gone. You are able to peer inside the building from street level (on Cedar Street). It looks like most of the mosaic tile is still in the building, as well as other adornments. You can see the complete mosaic Crucifixion scene above the main altar; it appears it will come down in rubble. This is the scene you posted on your blogspot. I have been talking to people close to the project & they inform me that the mosaic is too difficult and time consuming to save (although very few fragments have been saved). What an utter disgrace to allow priceless materials in this Church to be reduced to rubble. I just wanted to give you an update. I STRONGLY suggest that if you wish to capture any pictures, NOW is the time or this building will be gone within weeks. Also, you can see more mosaic work and columns from the back of the Church on Hazel? Street. Since I mentioned that the middle part of the Church is almost gone, you can peer inside to see. A sad day for Church lovers; for I can imagine the thousands of families attending this Church throughout the years receiving their sacraments...
"Disgrace" is too soft a word. But ironically, his words came into the Project's box only hours before another e-mail from Joe Kearney, whose invaluable photography has been instrumental in helping the Project to chronicle Transy's End.
If Bill's words didn't paint the picture, than Joe's pictures surely will. Get your tissues ready.
The Project is built on words and wit, but even those fail me as I look at these photographs. I only imagine the visceral reaction would be stronger if I were there in person; as it stands, these images are a swift punch to the gut.Are you happy now, Archdiocese? Did you get everything you wanted? You cowards.
Let me see now, the two boilers that heated the upper & lower church, the upper church boiler went in the early 90's. The lower church boiler lasted till the close in 2000. There were not enough people to require the lower church. (Mass was said in the rectory dinning room) The Upper Church was only used for special occasions during the summer only.
ReplyDeleteI can only think how poor working class people had to scrimpt & save to payoff the church debt. RIP.
I'm sure the Archdiocese made a nice profit on the buildings and the land.
ReplyDeleteAs they've done with every other church property they've sold over the years.
These people make me sick.
Sad to know that all that beautiful mosaic tile is being reduced to rubble.
ReplyDeleteI mean, that place sat rotting for nine years. There was plenty of time to take all that stuff out of there.
No doubt Transy was an ailing building, with both heat and water damage issues. But this is typical of the Archdiocese's absentee-landlord practices.
ReplyDeleteInstead of keeping up with vulnerable parishes and helping to keep them healthy, they only step in when things have gotten so bad that there's nothing left to do but throw up their hands and cluck, "Oh well, the damage is just too great, we have no other options." It's the exact same thing that happened to St. Boniface. And we all lose in the process.
Hey, I'm curious.
ReplyDeleteAnyone have any photos of Saint Raphael's, which closed in 1989?
I did a Google search of that area and found nothing.
"I can imagine the thousands of families attending this Church throughout the years receiving their sacraments..."
ReplyDeleteAll of whom are spinning in their graves right about now.
Saint Elizabeth's, where a lot of Transy's artifacts ended up:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.kcba-architects.com/pages/portfolio/places-to-worship/st-elizabeth.html#
I can remember in late 40's, when out of town brass (Bishops)visited - it was Transfiguration or Holy Child that they would visit.
ReplyDelete"You can see the complete mosaic Crucifixion scene above the main altar; it appears it will come down in rubble."
ReplyDeleteThat makes me so angry.
"it was Transfiguration or Holy Child that they would visit."
Well, Transy is gone and Holy Child (Our Lady of Hope) probably won't be around much longer.
Interesting that Transy's on that list, but not Francis de Sales, since , like Holy Child, it's a one-of-a-kind building--there's nothing else even remotely similar to either in the Archdiocese. Transy was no doubt beautiful, but from what I've seen there's not much to distinguish it from St. Martin of Tours, St. Helena or even Germantown's Immaculate Conception.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of Holy Child / OLH, the price tag for restoration and repair was around $7 million a couple of years ago. I imagine it's only gone up since then. A shame, since it's a building that should really be the centerpiece of the Archdiocese in Philly, instead of a North Broad afterthought.
If it is possible to be broken hearted in heaven I know that my Mom, 4 grandparents, and both of my aunts are broken hearted. Both of my parents grew up in Transy.
ReplyDeleteAs Terry C said, " It sat rotting for 9 years. Plenty of time to take everything out. Especially that mosiac.
They just didn't care, Mary Beth.
ReplyDeleteI guess they'd already looted everything they could from Transy that could be recycled for new churches in rich sections of the country. They didn't need that beautiful mosaic.
My father's McLaughlin line belonged to that church. They're probably spinning in their graves.
Hello all. I was wondering if anyone has any photos available of the Transfiguration Church that I could have. I know the photographs are out there, I was just hoping that someone would be able to provide them for me. If you're able to help, please e-mail me: ctamalunas@kurtis.com. Thank you very much
ReplyDeletei have a set of photos posted on my website that were taken only a month before demolition started as well as a number of historical photos. i am too angry at what happened to it to even comment on it right now but the website link is www.abandonedamerica.org
ReplyDeleteI just looked at your site. What a beautiful place it was. It deserved so much better.
ReplyDelete