(Photo by Annamarya Scaccia / West Philly Local)
Ten years later, and it seems repair work has finally started on the neglected roof where the notorious looming steeple of Christ Memorial Reformed Episcopal Church (4233 Chestnut Street) once stood.
Much like Naked Philly, a reader tipped West Philly Local off about the work last month after they noticed scaffolding erected around the base of the former 170-foot-high steeple, which collapsed in 2004 during an intense storm. According to a permit pulled from Philadelphia Licenses & Inspections, that section is undergoing partial roof demolition and extensive roof repairs, including installations and replacements.
As shown in the photo above, the steeple area of the church on the corner of 43rd and Chestnut Streets is fenced in, with a rubble pile atop the steps, and construction equipment left around on the 43rd Street side. A letter from the City of Philadelphia regarding a permit for equipment placement for building demolition, dated for 11/16/2013 – 1/16/2014, was tacked to the fence.
Currently, the former Christ Memorial Church houses the Media Mobilizing Project, a grassroots community and media-organizing group, and Christ the King Prayer Chapel, which runs a Sunday school and Sunday worship service. The 127-year-old church building was sold to Guy Laren, a local private developer, nearly a decade ago after its former congregation faced legal issues with its insurance company.
-Annamarya Scaccia
May 8th, 2014 at 7:52 pm
As one of the former members of that congregation, I just want to clarify that the insurance did pay us because there was a photograph of lightning hitting the steeple…. Amazingly time-stamped at the time of the steeple collapse. The picture came to light after we were in the midst of our claim. The picture sealed the decision in our favor.
We sold the building because the congregation was small, and didn’t feel able to continue maintaining the building.
May 10th, 2014 at 7:47 am
Thanks for the clarification!
February 18th, 2016 at 4:27 am
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August 3rd, 2016 at 10:54 am
The church at 43rd and Chestnut still has structure problemS HOWEVER, it is still majestic and beautiful. Isn’T there an historical society of Philadelphia that can help the current owners maintain the site better?