Cut-down steeples

[luchobucho]

Does anyone know why so many churches in Philadelphila look like they've had their steeples cut down?

[Moonraker]

Not sure what you mean, but many bell-towers are topped-off flat.
Most American Catholic Churches did not have bells.
Steeples were popular in the 1800's and died out in the early 1900's; based upon my observations of cornerstones.

[Titus]

Does anyone know why so many churches in Philadelphila look like they've had their steeples cut down?

Many were taken down in the 19th c because they were unsafe - poorly constructed.

In Brooklyn NY on the other hand all the towers on Catholic churches were removed by order of the diocese to decrease insurance costs!

[luchobucho]

Many were taken down in the 19th c because they were unsafe - poorly constructed.

In Brooklyn NY on the other hand all the towers on Catholic churches were removed by order of the diocese to decrease insurance costs!

I can accept that answer.

[Colin P. Varga]

Does anyone know why so many churches in Philadelphila look like they've had their steeples cut down?

Sometimes churches just ran out of money to finish the steeple.

[Burholme06]

One of the saddest for me is Tenth Presby at 17th and Spruce:

[Titus]

One of the saddest for me is Tenth Presby at 17th and Spruce:

They recently embarked on a restoration program and actually discussed rebuilding the steeple. I doubt that will happen.

[Outlaw Star]

A lot of the time steeples had to be removed due to damage. St. Boniface's steeple was hit by lightning, for example, and so badly messed up it had to be removed. I believe the same goes for Annunciation BVM in South Philly.

[CHIOSSO]

Most times the steeples were wood the wood rots. I watched the remove the steeple from St Pauls at 10 and Christian in the 70's it makes me sad it looks like a stump to me.

Annunciation BVM 10th and Dickinson





A picture of St Paul's Catholic Church 900 block of Christian St. before the steeple was removed.

[Titus]

Think you got a mixup on those that first pic is the Annunciation on Dickinson I'm pretty sure.

[CHIOSSO]

The photo captions are at the top of the photos and are in bold print. I did add Tenth and Dickinson to Annunciation. I lived on Eighth and Wharton. And I went to school at St Paul's.

[Eastcoast]

St Paul's also had some pretty massive metal work/alum siding type added over the original brick detail/corbeling around the roofline/trim, if you can get around the back of the church and rectory you can still see some of the original fish scale roof and fantastic brickwork.

In case anyone is interested over the past few years they have done an amazing restoration job on the stained glass with breathtaking results...do yourself a favor and stop in.

Just amazing.

[luchobucho]

The annunciation one was the one that reminded me to ask (thats near where I live). It was cut off at the Belfry. It looks unfinished. So sad.

Coincidentally, the area around annunciation looks absolutely desolate.

Most times the steeples were wood the wood rots. I watched the remove the steeple from St Pauls at 10 and Christian in the 70's it makes me sad it looks like a stump to me.

Annunciation BVM 10th and Dickinson





A picture of St Paul's Catholic Church 900 block of Christian St. before the steeple was removed.

[Scoats]

Does anyone know why so many churches in Philadelphila look like they've had their steeples cut down?

Being made of wood, many were the victims of fire, wind, or just plan decay. It really is a bummer that they never ever get replaced.

I just found out that the flat section of Roman Catholic HS's roof had an observatory.

[CHIOSSO]

St Paul's also had some pretty massive metal work/alum siding type added over the original brick detail/corbeling around the roofline/trim, if you can get around the back of the church and rectory you can still see some of the original fish scale roof and fantastic brickwork.

In case anyone is interested over the past few years they have done an amazing restoration job on the stained glass with breathtaking results...do yourself a favor and stop in.

Just amazing.

Eastcoast are you originally from the neighborhood?

[Eastcoast]

Eastcoast are you originally from the neighborhood?

Nope. I lived in a tiny place on the 900 block of League St from 89 to 91, then down to Pierce street for a couple years before I headed off to NYC. Once back in Philly we found a place on Catharine and stuck there for a little over 5 years...love me some Bella Vista!