A battle on holy ground

By WAVENEY ANN MOORE

© St. Petersburg Times, published April 22, 2001

[Times photo: Fred Victorin] Tim Clemmons, president of the North Downtown Neighborhood Association, walks down a rotted stairway at the former First Baptist Church of St. Petersburg.

The Episcopal Cathedral Church of St. Peter, which has operated a downtown ministry for more than 100 years, says it will consider moving if it doesn't get the parking it needs.

That's no empty threat, says the Rev. Randall Hehr, dean of the congregation that meets in the Gothic revival cathedral built in 1899. Hehr's declaration comes as the cathedral has failed to win permission to tear down the building next door, the former First Baptist Church, a 77-year-old landmark it bought in 1990. The cathedral, across from Williams Park in St. Petersburg, wants to build a 43-space parking lot in its place.

St. Peter's leaders plan to appeal the Historic Preservation Commission's ruling to City Council and beyond, if necessary.

"Our commitment to staying (downtown) is so deep that we would certainly go to court to solve this issue," Hehr said.

"When one reaches the end of the process ... then we would feel that we are being forced to consider leaving."

Preservationists are committed to saving the former Baptist church. Some say the building can be renovated for housing. They would even settle for saving the facade, with its imposing columns, and allowing a parking garage to be built behind it. They contend that the old Baptist sanctuary is unique to St. Petersburg.

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