Photo: Erica Maier
Demolition begins today for the church and convent of the St. Boniface Complex, constructed in 1872 and closed in 2006. The Norris Square Civic Association plans to build a residential structure that contains fifteen housing units. There will be a permanent display of St. Boniface’s history placed on the sidewalk of the new development.
Heartbreaking.
Perhaps if they didn’t try to ignore that personnel problem, they could have saved that gem. Homes in that area despite the condition are going ballistic price wise… Too too sad that new generations could have gone to a 150 year old world marvel. Sad the bosses decided it was no longer a money maker. A business.
When will people realize that places like St. Boniface are what make Philly special and unique?
It IS sad! I made every one of my sacraments there, including being baptized. I graduated in that church and not long before it closed, I said good-bye to my grandmother there. 🙁
Where the foundation of my Christianity began! I grew up listening to the church bells ring every Sunday morning 🙁 I pray blessings will be upon the residents of the apartments that are to come.
Shame. Shame on you! With all of the abandoned factory buildings in that area which SHOULD be demolished or converted to residential space, there is NO reason to demolish St. Boniface. Shame!
I am so sad to see Saint Boniface go. I have so many wonderful memories there. Went to school at St. Boniface, made my Holy Communion,Confirmation, Was Married at St. Boniface, had cooking class woth Sister Honora on Saturday’s it was great, was in the CYO went to the games. So many wonderful Bazaars in the 70’s, was in the choir with Mr. Tom, my son went to Saint Boniface, made his Holy Communion, his Confirmation. Can’t believe they are tearing it down:(
It is hard to express how one feels about this. The memories that were made here will never be forgotten.
I’m in there now doing salvage. It is a shame. The building is fine, no reason to take it down. Structure, rooms, windows, heating, all in working order.
IF you are interested though in what I salvage out of there though, we are at Philadelphia Salvage 542 Carpenter Lane in Mt. Airy.
Hi. I’m very interested in items from the church. My family went to st boniface. I look forward to hearing from you. Thanks joe
DISGRACE, IS THERE NOTHING LEFT? INTERESTE WHERE PARTS WERE SENT BORN N BRED THERE, VERY HEARTBROKEN, CHURCH SOLD ANYTHING LEFT I CAN BUY ? HVE OLD PHOTOS, VISITED UP TO 20000, CANT BELIEVE CHURCH SOLD IT, ABSOLUTELY,,CONFUSED WHY WOULD LIKE A PIECE OF CHURCH OR SCHOOL, WHERE DID SCHOOL RECORDS GO? PLEASE CONTACT, THANKS
Hi Helen and Joe–The Norris Square Civic Association, which owns St. Boniface, has been selling pieces of the church. I understand one or more architectural salvage companies have purchased quite a few items. No telling where they’ll end up but they will be reused at least. I do know that the owner of another church in Philadelphia bought several doors. The best thing to do at this point is to contact the NSCA. Perhaps they can give you the names of the salvage companies if everything has already been sold. I’m not sure where the school records might be. It’s possible the Catholic Diocese removed them before selling the property to the NSCA, but I’m just guessing. I’m sorry I can’t be of more help.
I GRADUATED ST. BONIFACE IN 1950. IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL CHURCH.THE INTERIOR WAS SOLD TO ANOTHER CHURCH. MY GRAND PARENTS WERE MARRIED THERE AND ALL MY AUNTS, UNCLES & RELATIVES WERE TOO. A LONG LONG TIME AGO AS I AM NOW 81 AND GUESS WHAT MY WIFE’S NAME IS HELEN TOO. KEEP YOUR THOUGHTS GOING. PETE & GOD BLESS YOU!!!!!
hi my name is chris, i am writing to let everyone know that i am refinishing,repairing,restoring, and installing the entryways,stainglass,confessionals,organpipes and woodwork,confessions,sacisisty,and other of the masterly crafted woodwork for the blessed teresa of calcutta parish being erected in limerick,pa. if you are interested in seeing photos i have a page on facebook where i have been posting photos of our progress. just type Chris Angstadt Carpentry & General Contracting.I have been restoring it all to its original state. thank you and enjoy the photos and please feel free to commemt on them
thank you
can not find your pictures of the progress at blessed teresa parrish
Hi folks. Peter mentioned I should post here. I own an architectural salvage company called Philadelphia Salvage and have saved as much as I could. I have stained glass, church pews, wainscoting, coat hooks, marble, etc…
My goal is to preserve the building in tact, but if that’s not possible, we keep it out of a land fill.
We will also be making cutting boards out of the timber and cheese trays out of the slate roof. Feel free to stop into the store, we are in Mt. Airy. We have plenty of parking, a nice coffee shop and a great book store right next to us!
http://www.philadelphiasalvage.com/ https://www.facebook.com/phillysalvage
Also think of joining HIDDEN CITY before the end of the year for a tax deduction!!!
Have you any remaining pieces of St Boniface Church?
We will be salvaging LARGE timber from St. Boniface sometime next week. We are talking 1000# pieces from the main roof structure. This large timber will be milled down to make cutting boards that we will be selling. We will also be tying to salvage slate from the roof to make cheese trays and chalk boards!
Stay tuned!
http://www.philadelphiasalvage.com/ https://www.facebook.com/phillysalvage
Breaks my heart! Went to school there. The best part of my childhood and so many memories. The most beautiful church I’ve ever been to.
My parents were married there 81 years ago on July 17th. Just looking up the church online and see that it is gone. I was baptized there in 1943.
I WENT TO ST. BONIFACE GRADE SCHOOL AS WELL AS THE CHURCH. LATER ON SAW BAPTISMAL FONT, ETC. AT ST TERESA CALCUTTA IN,LIMERICK, PA. BROUGHT TEARS TO MY EYES REMEMBERING ALL MY SACRAMENTS MADE THERE INCLUDING MARRIAGE.IT WAS A SHAME BOTH SCHOOL & CHURCH WAS TORN DOWN! 🥲🥲🥲