A Neighborhood Conservation District Committee has denied the
Archdiocese of New Orleans' request for a permit to demolish the
city's historic Annunciation Catholic Church.
Despite protests, the archdiocese closed Annunciation in 2001 and now wants to demolish the Faubourg Marigny church as well as the rectory and the parish hall next door, The Times-Picayune reports.
The furor over the proposed demolition of Annunciation, which was buillt in 1844, is the latest controversy that had pitted parishioners against the archdiocese, which since Hurricane Katrina has closed 34 parishes.
Defending the proposal to demolish Annunciation, Elizabeth LaCombe, a representative of the archdiocese, said at the hearing that the church building is deteriorating and has suffered a high number of break-ins, theft, the presence of squatters and vandalism and poses danger to a community that has already been devastated by an increase in criminal activity and Katrina.
"It's been very difficult to secure and defend these buildings, " LaCombe said.
"We understand that these buildings have historical value but our plan would be to demolish the whole building and put a fence around the property. We plan on removing any sacred objects and stained glass from the church before demolition."
LaCombe said the property has never been listed for sale publicly. She said there have been people who expressed interest in the property after driving by and realizing it was vacant, but determined it was not feasible to rebuild.
At the close of the hearing, LaCombe said the archdiocese would be open to revising any proposals for restoring the building.
FULL STORY @
Plan to raze Annunciation Catholic Church blocked (Times-Picayune)
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New Orleans Archdiocese
Annunciation Catholic Church New Orleans