PITTSBURGH HISTORY & LANDMARKS FOUNDATION Non-Profit Org. 450 oNE STATION SQUARE, SUITE U,S. POST,{GE PITTSBURGH, PA 15219-II7O PAID Pittsburgh, Pa. Address Correction Requested Permit No. 598 Published for the members of the Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation No. 124 Iuly 1992 o A New Bridge for Pittsburgh a Neighborhoods: Troy Hill; Mount Washington; Mexican War Streets; Nlegheny West; Dormont, Crafton a Preservation Scene a Pittsburgh Architecture: Traditional Neighborhoods Religious Buildings and Their Neighborhoods In a country with no off,rcial religion, Church, Emmanuel Episcopal Church, beliefand ritual are treated as purely and First Baptist Church are outstand- personal matters to which the commu- ing elements of their City of Pittsburgh nity owes nothing but non-interference, Historic Districts, and Emmanuel ¿s on and whose claims to support from out- the National Register. side the denomination carry no more As a ußual element of a street or I weight than those of, say, a social club. neighborhood, a religious building Thus, property used for purely religious offers contrast ofform or scale. It is purposes goes untaxed regardless of also visible evidence of the neighbor- sect. And yet, the National Register of hood's history, its peoples and tradi- Historic Places is reluctant to admit tions of the past. It may also mark a religious buildings and cemeteries. historic intersection or simply be so Philanthropic foundations have no in- conspicuous that the neighborhood is terest, almost always, in grants that identified with it. The architectural seem to further the expression ofone of quality of the building may or may not many religious creecls. Religion is seen be high, but the visual importance of as one's personal business, and the re- the religious building gives it sig- pair and upkeep of a religious edifice nihcance. are seen as the congregation's private problem. As a communityfacility, areli- gious property often reaches beyond But there are a few things to take into sectarian boundaries. Other congre- consideration: gations may use the worship space, the As archíæcturg some churches and social hall may be used for meetings, temples have extraordinary distinction. entertainments, classes, or elections, A church of the past, constructed with and the basement may be a shelter for an ample budget, offered its architect the homeless. For those who give to more artistic freedom than any other charitable and public causes, such Aboue: Church,es in th,e McKees Roclæ type. It was his mandate be building to places are worthy recipients; the dona- Inútstrial Bottoms. W: Parh Place A.M.E. lavish, to bring into being great spaces, tions further the public good. To many Church, Homestea.d. towers, tracery, sculpture, and stained people, this public availability of space glass. Actual artistic success varied from is the best reason for helping religious place to place, but the true successes buildings to survive in good repair. In were great ones indeed. Thus great reli- time, such buildings may be adapted for gious buildings are as signihcant to the non-religious uses, public or private. whole community as are any works of As a spírítual presence and, greal art. Recognizing this, the National snbilízing a religious building Register will accept religious buildings force, è contributes a sense ofgoodness, whole- o on their architectural merits. In Pitts- ness, and order to neighborhood life. burgh, Calvary United Methodist No matter what a person's religious beliefs may be, if any, the sight of a church or temple can inspire personal Third Presblterian Church, Shadyide feelings of peace and hope. Again, a complaint of the present is that people are ethically formless, and religious doc- trine is almost always ethical doctrine as well. The mere existence of a religious building on a neighborhood block may make a difference in a person's life. Pittsburgh is so often described as a city of neighborhoods. And religious buildings are the visual, spiritual, and P architectural anchors in many of our I neighborhoods. It is critical that as a a community we encourage the restora- Rose window, St. Møry tion, maintenance, or adaptive use of Mogd.alene, Homesæad these structures whenever feasible. In doing so, we may be keeping fine art in being, preserving a community's sense of itself, or giving the community shel- ter, space, and a pleasant setting for its St. Michael Archangel, South joint activities. The religious building in Sid,e Slopes need thus deserves an appraisal ofits public merits. P È t Pa¿e 2 PHI"F News h:Iy 7992 ffiNEWS A Intter of Support In each issue of PI{ZF l{ews we are pleased to publish a listing of new members. However, we rarely take the space to publish the EPVHE&NLTFS letters of support we often receive from members. Now we are doing so, with the permission of Rex Anderson, who wrote to us on February 20,1992: Coll Londmorks, Mondoy through Fríday between g:00 a.m. ond 5:00 p.m. aÍ (412) 471-5808, for further information on rhe events listed below, or to make Dear PHLF' reservalions. l've enclosed a check for three yeors membership dues and a smoll donafion. I will continue fo send smoll Wednesday, July 15 6:00-8:00 p.m. donofions fhroughouf the year ohead. Troy HillWolking Tour Pleose confinue wifh your excellence. Thonk you Mary Wohleber, a trustee of Landmarks and vqry much for helping fo make our beaufiful city ihe best a native of Troy Hill, will lead this evening ploce fo be in Americo. walking tour. The tiny lofty neighborhood Sincerel¡4, of Troy Hill overlooks the Allegheny River and much of Pittsburgh, but its streets are narrow and intensively inhabited. Tour fare: $2 members; $5 non-members. þ4M Wednesday, September 30 6:00-8;00 p.m. Rex A. Anderson Downfown Dormont Il'ednesday, October This is the South Hills trolley suburb at its 14 6:00-7:30 p.m. finest, still flourishing after eight decades. Thornburg in Autumn Welcome l{ew Memberc Tour the streets of Dormont with Land- Join Al Tannler of Landmarks on a walking marks'archivist Al Tannler, who is a resi- tour through this spectacular western sub- The Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation welcomes the dent of Dormont. urb in the Chartiers Valley south of McKees following members joined who recently Landmarks. We look Tour fare:'$2 members; $5 non-members. Rocks. forward to their participation in our work and special events. Tour fare: $2 members; $5 non-members. Five sessions: October 14, November ll, Harold Bigler John Manders December 9, January 21, and February 16; Sunday, Octoher 18 l:30-5:30 p.m. Walter Boykowycz Miss Marion L. McCullough varíous locations Ms. Sue Burton The Pittsburgh Daguerreian AIbert Gqllotin's Friendship Hill Project Architectute AÞÞrenticeshio for Mr. & Mrs. Samuel Chiodo Pleasant View Elementary School Board the bus at Station Square and travel & Family Plum Boro School District Senior High Sch'ool Studenis with us to Uniontown, for a behind-the- Dr. Sunda Cornetti Mrs. Bonnie Renton Students throughout Allegheny County who scenes tour of the newly-restored home of Mr. & Mrs. Jerry Croushore Mrs. Mildred E. Rickel are interested in pursuing a career in Albert Gallatin. Friendship Hill was built in & Family Randy Roth architecture can call the Allegheny Inter- 1789, and the house has just recently opened James J. Crowley Adam Schneider mediate Unit at (412) 371-8484 to register for for public tours. Tour fare to be announced. Mrs. Andrew Cummins Ms. Kathleen Vincent Sechler this course offered by Landmarks for the Mr. & Mrs. Daniel J. Deady Ms. Velma Sharpsky ninth consecutive year. Friday, Saturday & Sunday Ms. Laurie L. DelFrate Ms. Johanna Sholder November 13, 14 and 15 Mr. & Mrs. William Edgar Mr. & Mrs. Ronald E. Smith Fall 1992 (døtes to be announced) Friday & Safurday: Il:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.; The Reverend George David Exoo Ms. Liz Smithson Sunday. ll:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. Ms. Candice P. Gatens & Family Ms. Helen Spirnak Exploring Your Ciry Lee Grimm, Esq. William G. Swain ïeqcher ln.service Fifteenth Annuql Anfiques Show Mr. & Mrs. Peter E. Hackney Ms. Carol Campbell Swinston Teachers gain a fìrst-hand understanding of Thirty-one antique dealers from 14 states & Family Mrs. Albert Tannler Pittsburgh's architectural and historical will display and sell quality 18rh- and lgth- Henry Hanson Mrs. Rose S. Tarasi development through a downtown walking century furniture, paintings, prints, china, Hartwood Elementary School Scott Truex, AICP tou¡ historical slide glassware, jewelry, carpets, and fabrics in the Lester Herrup Jack Urbani shows, and instruction in research techniques ballroom ofthe Station Square Sheraton. Norman Hochendoner Dennis M. Weber and architectural (Admission donation: per person.) Mrs. Monika Jacobs & Family Mrs. Elaine Wertheim styles. Call the Allegheny Intermediate Unit $4.00 Members of Landmarks James M. Kelly West Jefferson School at (412) 394-5'761 to register. will be invited to John Lubinski District the Antiques Show Preview Party on Thurs- Anthony L. Lupkowski Ms. Doris Ztnawka Thursday & Friday, October I & 9 day, November 12 ($37.50 per person). Exploring Pittsburgh's Saturday, December Corporøte Members A¡thitectu ro I Treosurcs 5 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Brookville Victoriqn Christmos The Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation welcomes the Walter Kidney and Diane DeNardo of following corporate members who joined in the last few months. Landmarks will present an illustrated lecture Celebrofion on architectural styles and lead a walking Celebrate the holidays by traveling with us Armstrong Group of Patricia M. Navarro, Ltd. tour of downtown Pittsburgh featuring by bus to the festive Brookville Victorian Companies Penn State University, Fourth Christmas Celebration in Jefferson Beckwith Machinery Beaver Campus Avenue and Grant Street.