Demolition begins at St. James Church on South Side

BY MONIFA THOMAS Staff Reporter June 26, 2013 11:38AM

Workers begin the demolition of St James Catholic Church, 2942 S. Wabash Ave., by cutting a large hole in it's roof, on Wednesday June 26, 2013. | Chandler West ~ For Sun-Times Media

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Updated: June 26, 2013 9:29PM

Despite a vigorous fight by parishioners, they were forced to watch their beloved 133-year-old St. James Catholic Church in Bronzeville start to be demolished Wednesday.

Instead of a wrecking ball, demolition crews used a firemans ax and sledgehammer to start removing slate from one of the roofs at 11 a.m. By 3 p.m., they had sawed through some of the roof framing and decking below the slate, so that a hole about 5-by-6 feet could be seen. But they appeared to be winding up for the day after that.

A handful of St. James parishioners watching outside the church at 2942 S. Wabash started saying shame on you when the demolition started.

Its sad to see this church go, said Regina Wright, 45, who had grown up in the area and had started going to St. James 34 years ago. She glanced at the church as she spoke. Its been a pillar in this community for so long, and theyve helped so many people through the years. . . . Its heartbreaking.

Last weekend, the parishioners were read a letter from Cardinal Francis George, letting them know that the canonical requirements have been met to take [St. James] down.

George, in the letter, wrote that the future of St. James Parish has been under much discussion since the City of Chicago decided four years ago that the church building that you used for worship is unsafe.

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Demolition begins at St. James Church on South Side