Commission seeks last-minute intervention to save historic Cedar Rapids church

Members of the city's Historic Preservation Commission are seeking an 11

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hour reprieve for First Christian Church.

The group sent a letter Friday to the Cedar Rapids City Council, asking that the city withhold the demolition permit for the church at 840 Third Ave. SE until parking needs for a medical complex can be assessed.

“As Cedar Rapidians have learned of the fate of this historic treasure, they have come forward in disgust,” the group wrote. “They all state that this is an issue of municipal pride and community identity.”

The church, dedicated in 1913 and eligible for the National Register of Historic Places, is slated to be demolished to make way for a 40-stall parking lot.

St. Luke's Hospital purchased the building, along with numerous other properties in the area of 10

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Street and Second and Third avenues SE, to make way for the Physicians' Clinic of Iowa Medical Pavilion.

The PCI complex will be surrounded by 1,024 parking spots, including a four-story parking garage to be paid for with $13.24 million in tax increment financing from the city.

Celebrated architect Louis Sullivan was a consultant on the church, with windows designed by glass artist Louis Millet.

“Few communities have been blessed with Louis Sullivan buildings and Louis Millet stained glass windows,” the letter states. “We have both in First Christian Church.”

The commission voted to sent the letter at its Thursday night meeting.

“People are fired up about this,” chairwoman Maura Pilcher said, referencing calls and emails she has received from Cedar Rapids residents opposed to the demolition.

The city is in the process of lowering parking standards for medical offices, so the spots would not be required, but CEO Mike Sundall of PCI, has said parking would be “really, really tight” without the 40 spaces.

St. Luke's officials have said demolition will proceed once a 60-day hold the commission placed on the permit expires Monday, March 12.

The stained-glass windows, entrance columns and church's skylight will be removed and kept in storage with the intent to keep them in Cedar Rapids, spokeswoman Sarah Corizzo said.

Holds on demolition permits for other historic buildings also expire Monday, including a mansion next to the church at 834 Third Ave. SE and the former Teena's Furniture, 829 Second Ave. SE. Both were also purchased by St. Luke's and will be demolished.

Following is a copy of the letter emailed today to the City Council, as well as to representative of St. Luke's and PCI:

URGENT

Honorable Mayor and City Council:

The Cedar Rapids Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) previously requested a 60 day hold on the demolition permit for First Christian Church. That demolition hold will expire on Monday, March 12, 2012. The HPC would like St. Luke's and PCI to phase in parking with the demolition of First Christian Church to be the final structure.  Therefore, we ask that the City withhold the demolition permit for First Christian Church until such time as PCI is open and the actual parking situation can be determined.

PCI has stated that parking would be too tight without demolition of First Christian Church. However, several other properties surrounding First Christian Church are also scheduled for demolition to provide parking for PCI. At a City Planning Commission meeting, St. Luke's/PCI had represented that they would delay demolition of First Christian Church until after PCI was open to determine whether in fact additional parking would be needed. Many members of City Council have supported this approach.

As Cedar Rapidians have learned of the fate of this historic treasure, they have come forward in disgust.  They all state that this is an issue of municipal pride and community identity.

Few communities have been blessed with Louis Sullivan buildings and Louis Millet stained glass windows. We have both in First Christian Church, which is certainly eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. Cedar Rapids will be a lesser place if this beautiful and historic church were to be demolished for any reason, let alone for a few spaces of asphalt parking that are not even certain to be needed. Demolition is irrevocable. Delaying demolition to see if there is actual need is not.

Please do not let First Christian Church be demolished needlessly on March 13. Please withhold the demolition permit for First Christian Church until actual parking needs can be assessed.

Respectfully,

The Cedar Rapids Historic Preservation Commission