A historic Mount Washington church that once anchored a hilltop neighborhood is now headed for demolition after a three-alarm fire badly damaged the long-vacant building earlier this month.
The former Grand View United Presbyterian Church caught fire in the late afternoon or early evening on July 7. The congregation had already held its final worship service in December 2022 and officially dissolved on Dec. 31 of that year, leaving Pittsburgh Presbytery in charge of the property. By the time of the fire, the Presbytery was in the process of selling the building, which remains under contract while contingencies are resolved.
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Following the fire, the City of Pittsburgh issued an emergency demolition order for the structure. Pittsburgh Presbytery retained Schaaf Excavating Contractors to handle the demolition, and church officials say the contractor is working with city officials to secure permits. Demolition is expected to happen soon.
“Like the community and former members of the congregation, we are profoundly saddened by the fire,” said the Rev. Jessica McClure Archer, general minister of Pittsburgh Presbytery. “We’re grateful for the swift response from fire and emergency personnel and for our neighbors’ patience as the demolition process continues, knowing the aftermath has caused real disruption for the neighborhood. While we are losing a building that has stood on this site since the 19th century, the church’s critical historical records and its story are being preserved, even as plans move forward to redevelop the property.”
The church was organized in 1857 as Mount Washington Presbyterian Church and renamed Grand View in 1961. Officials say the site is still under contract for redevelopment into a residential condominium building, pending contingencies such as zoning variances.
This article by Gabby Sartori was created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Historic Mount Washington church to be demolished after fire
