Columbus Landmarks is appealing to the Catholic Diocese to reverse the decision to demolish St. Dominic’s Rectory, located at 453 N. 20th Street in the historic King-Lincoln Bronzeville neighborhood. We recommend the building be mothballed and retained for future use instead.
The handsome, brick c1900 Queen Anne style home is a historically, architecturally and culturally significant asset and an important part of the original fabric of the area. The rectory sits just north of the beautiful and well-maintained St. Dominic’s Church. The church and rectory represent the Parish’s longtime commitment to and investment in the neighborhood. It is especially ironic and disheartening that demolition of an important building closely associated with Columbus African American history be pursued during Black History Month.
The building has not been occupied by a parish priest in recent years and an explosion across the street last summer inflicted both damage and security concerns. However, the rectory embodies the reference “built like a brick house,” in its obvious stability and resiliency. Thanks to high quality materials and good stewardship, it is well positioned for rehabilitation.
This is an exciting time in the King-Lincoln Bronzeville neighborhood with so much positive momentum underway. Property values are on the rise and residents are working together to create a diverse and vibrant community for all. Historic buildings like the rectory are highly valued and being adaptively reused for many wonderful purposes throughout the city.
We encourage the Diocese to reverse the demolition decision to ensure that future generations have a tangible connection to the historic past and a greener earth in so doing.