3/06/2006

Pew News...

Check out the latest about the decaying and soon to be demolished Transfiguration Church on Buffalo's East Side. Who could have imagined that the Buffalo News takes a position so critical of the Catholic Church? In Buffalo? Read on...

Today, Buffalo News columnist Mary Kunz Goldman came out swinging against the Diocese of Buffalo and Bishop Kmiec's "journey through faith and grace to avoid housing court." A most excellent critique, right here if you haven't seen it yet. Her stunningly simple solution comes in two parts. First, lead by example. Second, churches should carve out the neighborhood surrounding the church and adopt it.
No one said it was going to be easy. No one said it was going to be cheap. That's why the "Journey of Faith and Grace," as the Diocese of Buffalo dubs its current downsizing, is such a shame.

Remember the last wave of church closings, in 1993? Want to see thedestruction? Visit Transfiguration Church. Drive out Sycamore Streetfrom downtown, past Fillmore Avenue, and it's on your right.

Walk around. Take a good look

Frequent readers know that I've been hammering away at this theme for months. I get vicious hate mail from William Trezavant the local attorney who's mother Pauline Nowak has an outstanding housing court warrant for her arrest for building code violations at Transfiguration. (Bill, I'm collecting pieces of slate that I find on the sidewalk. Have your attorney contact me, I'll give 'em back when you are ready to do the roof repairs.)

This morning I received this comment (#3) from a frequent reader. He describes the process of abandonment proceeding the closing of Transfiguration. And don't forget what Chicago based architect David Steele wrote A Peek at Heaven and Possible Hell over at Buffalo Rising.

This is her second column about the built environment. Last month's is here and from a blogger's perspective I noticed that it was the first Buffalo News story ever that featured a hyperlink in the on-line and print story.

Make sure to check out the Annals of Neglect for additional information about the Bishop's "Journey to Avoid Housing Court." The church is the third stop my Tour dé Neglect bicycle tour this summer. A local metal artisan living in the shadows of Transfiguration will be our neighborhood docent.

This is her second column about the built environment. Last month's is here and from a blogger's perspective I noticed that it was the first Buffalo News story ever that featured a hyperlink in the on-line and print story.

Mary, excellent column. Keep swinging!
__________________________________________________________________________
Artspace ArchiveAnnals of NeglectBAVPAWhere is Perrysburg?Broken Promises...
Writing the CityWoodlawn Row HousesTour dé Neglect - 2006faq

No comments: