St. Laurentius, demolished years ago, may be rebuilt as a small memorial to honor its history.

Plans have been proposed for a miniature model of the St. Laurentius Roman Catholic Church to be erected at the intersection of Berks and Memphis Streets in Fishtown, Philadelphia. This memorial aims to honor the historical significance of the church, which was demolished in 2022 following extensive local controversy and legal disputes.

The memorial will consist of a three-foot bronze-cast model of the church’s façade, to be placed on a cornerstone salvaged from the original structure. This installation will be situated in front of the former parish house, which is currently in use as a school. The church, which served the community for 140 years, faced an uncertain future before its demolition, which was met with mixed reactions from local residents.

With the demolition completed, the site is being transformed into a development featuring eight new three-story luxury townhomes. The city’s Historical Commission mandates that a commemoration of the razed structure be included as part of this new development, which led to the proposal of the memorial. The design was conceived by the architectural firm CANNOdesign and is intended to evoke memories of the cherished church.

Financing for the memorial has been secured from the developers of the townhomes, Ben Katz and Henry Siebert. However, the proposed design has encountered hesitations from the Historical Commission’s architectural committee. During a recent meeting, committee members expressed concerns over the decision to represent only the façade of St. Laurentius rather than a full replica of the original building. Some members voiced disappointment, suggesting that the current proposal lacks emotional resonance and appears to be a mere compliance with regulatory requirements.

Despite the committee’s hesitancy, which resulted in a vote against recommending the design for approval, the project is still set to be reviewed by the full Historical Commission. This review could take place as soon as next month, offering an opportunity for further discussion about the memorial’s design and significance within the community.

In Fishtown, the transition from the historic church to new residential developments reflects broader trends in urban development and the challenges of preserving history amid modernization. As the neighborhood evolves, the conversation surrounding commemoration and community identity continues to unfold.

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