Museum idea could save threatened Heights church

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trdt1 Member	# Posted: 12/26/2009 16:30 Reply Museum idea could save threatened Heights church Officials at Immanuel Lutheran Church in the Heights say the 1932 Gothic Revival sanctuary could be torn down this summer if feasible plans to save it aren't proposed. On-again, off-again plans to raze Houston Heights' historic but long unused Immanuel Lutheran Church may be in limbo again today as preservationists float a plan to convert the striking Gothic Revival sanctuary into a museum for Texas art. Ken Bakenhus, president of the church's governing body, which overwhelmingly favors demolition, said the 1932-vintage building at 1448 Cortlandt St. likely will be torn down this summer unless feasible plans to save it are proposed. Today's presentation will be made by Houston art gallery owner Gus Kopriva, who said he will propose obtaining a long-term lease and creating a nonprofit organization to raise money for renovation. Kopriva owns Redbud Gallery and recently oversaw renovation of West 19th Street's Heights Theater for use by the Gallery M Squared. Aware of cost "I wouldn't make the proposal if I didn't think I could do it," Kopriva said Monday. "I've just done the Heights Theater and I know what these things cost." Kopriva said the theater project cost less than $250,000. Bakenhus, who once advocated saving the old church, said a 2001 estimate placed the cost of renovating the building at $600,000. Today, he believes the cost might approach $800,000 or more. "It's been my long-term dream to create a Texas arts mecca," Kopriva said. The museum, which he would call the Heights Arts Museum (HAM), would also house art archives, he said. Backing Kopriva's proposal are the Houston Heights Association and the Greater Houston Preservation Alliance, both of which have struggled to save the church, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A 'win-win situation' The preservation alliance's David Bush called the proposal a "win-win situation." Neighborhood association president Chris Silkwood declined to discuss the plan before its presentation but stressed her group's support for saving the building, whose basement dates to 1918. "It's a magnificent piece of architecture," she said. "Our hope is that it's repurposed, that it becomes a place where the general public will be able to visit it." The old church was replaced by a newer structure in the 1960s. Until the late 1970s or early 1980s, it was used for church classes. It since has been vacant. Bakenhus said the church explored the cost of renovating the building, a process that would include upgrading plumbing, heating and air conditioning and electrical wiring, but were unable to raise the needed money. The church also had planned to level the sanctuary floor, which Bakenhus says is slanted like that of an auditorium. Kopriva, a structural engineer, said basic repairs to the building "would cost a lot less" than the church's estimate. "I'd leave the floor sloped," he said. "That makes no difference to me." Favoring demolition Bakenhus said the church's governing body is "99 percent" in favor of demolishing the building — a process that would cost about $60,000. In October, the Houston Archeological and Historical Commission rejected the church's plan to demolish the old building. But that rejection only delays demolition 90 days and the church has signed a contract to tear down the structure this summer. But Bakenhus said the church can cancel the demolition contract if a workable renovation plan develops. Today's presentation by Kopriva will constitute the neighborhood association's first report.
trdt1 Member	# Posted: 01/16/2010 05:53 Reply Attempt to save church building builds steam The following is a letter sent out by outgoing Houston Heights Association president Chris Silkwood to association members this morning regarding effort to save the old Immanuel Lutheran Church building. Anyone who has read this blog for any length of time at all knows of my attitudes toward the importance of historical preservation. (I live in a 100-year-old house I renovated myself with my wife and an architect friend and in the Houston Heights. What do you THINK are my attitudes towards historic preservation? I'm for.) I wish nothing but success for this effort as my personal feeling is that a renovated Immanuel Lutheran Church building would be an asset and long term benefit not just to the church but to the greater Heights community. Renovation, reuse, repurposing, all of these are laudable efforts and I really do hope that the church building is saved. Read Silkwood's letter and tell me what you think. Dear HHA Members, As you may know, the HHA is currently engaged in efforts to save the original sanctuary of Immanuel Church located at the corner of 15th. Street and Cortlandt. A request to the city for demolition was made by the church council a few months ago. The church was given the ninety day wait period and a concerned group was able to extend the demolition to not occur before the end of May, 2010. This bought us a little time and we have been working very hard ever since. The original church is a registered historic landmark for the state of Texas. It is a truly spectacular structure that was built in the very early 1930´s by German architects. I am heavily involved with this project and have therefore had the opportunity to be inside the building on several occasions. I am pleased to tell you we are receiving tremendous support through the Mayor´s office, Councilmen Ed Gonzalez and Sue Lovell, the office of Cultural Affairs, the Houston Preservation Alliance and countless area citizens. The city is in fact so committed to the saving of this property it has already pledged $50,000 from the city´s preservation fund toward the restoration. Although the building is in need of considerable restorative work as a result of being left vacant for many years, it still remains in remarkable condition. We have had architects and contractors carefully evaluate the space and all agree it would be a travesty to demolish. I was truly overwhelmed on my first visit to see the building´s interior space. To merely say it is beautiful would be an understatement. I have been intensely committed to our unique Heights community for many years and most recently ended my one year term as President of the HHA. I will continue to serve on the HHA Board of Directors for another year and am scheduled to co-chair the Spring Home & Garden Tour for 2011. Of the numerous projects I have chosen to dedicate time and energy toward, from the reforestation and beautification of Heights Boulevard to countless events, I believe the saving and repurposing of Immanuel Church ranks amongst the most important. I am therefore asking for your help. Early next week, I will be making a heartfelt and studied presentation with our dedicated committee to fifteen members of the church council. We will present opportunities for appropriate repurposing of the church to include it becoming a museum for Texas artists to the possible expansion of the school´s campus. We have done our homework and will present costs, professional services needed, potentials for financial support as well as the possibilities of donated services. Please know, the church council does not have plans nor the resources to build another structure if the church is demolished. In addition, with the fifteen feet setback requirements the property would lose another ten feet. My request to you is twofold. First, if you support the saving of this building, please email me a letter stating your sentiments as to why you believe this is an important and meaningful structure to save. Please express your feelings and ideas in a respectful manner as we are trying to build relationship and create a win/win situation for all concerned. Since our meeting is scheduled for the beginning of the week, I will need your immediate response. I will print off each letter and bring them to the presentation. We believe it is very important for the council to clearly know the community is behind this effort. Secondly, if anyone has access to building materials or services that could assist in a restoration effort and would be willing at any level to help out, please send me your contact information. If you wish to forward my email to any of your friends who may not be HHA members but understand the significance of historical preservation, please feel free to do so. Sincerely, Chris Silkwood