1969-2009Though most of South Philadelphia avoided the rampant destruction and abandonment that plagued other parts of the city, its historic building stock nonetheless suffered from its fair share of neglect and insensitive facade alterations. Built in the early 1880s, the Church of the Crucifixion has had its original Gothic Revival facade marred by the replacement of its arched windows with horizontal windows quite out of character with its design. Its neighbors on the northwest corner of 8th and Bainbridge Streets lost much of their elegance along with their storefronts.
Remnants of a bygone time, two of 8th Street's former trolley wire poles still stand at the intersection, currently serving as particularly tall signposts.
Source: Philadelphia Architects and Buildings
Original photo: "Historic Commission-12159-15." 1969. Philadelphia City Archives. PhillyHistory.org. Philadelphia Department of Records. 9 Sep. 2009. http://www.phillyhistory.org/PhotoArchive/MediaStream.ashx?mediaId=144357.
1 comment:
This is great information, Brian. I live jus around the corner and have often wondered what the church looked like before its rather unkind makeover. Thanks!
Post a Comment