Conference at Allegheny County Courts set to discuss Herbst House

A stagnated battle over the preservation or destruction of an old Catholic school and convent in Sewickley may soon resume.

A status conference at Allegheny County Courts has been scheduled for 11 a.m. Oct. 3 at the City-County Building.

The borough requested the conference after “various settlement efforts” reached an impasse, according to court records filed in the Court of Common Pleas’ Civil Division by borough solicitor Nate Boring.

That impasse necessitates parties proceed with an evidentiary hearing mandated by the court, Boring wrote.

It has been more than 18 months since the court remanded a case involving Divine Redeemer Parish’s plans for the colloquially named Herbst House back to the borough.

The status conference would “provide the parties and the court an opportunity to discuss the procedural posture of the case, the scope and scheduling of the evidentiary hearing, the venue and the presiding authority over the hearing, and outstanding discovery or evidentiary issues, potential settlements discussions, and other matters deemed appropriate by the court,” the court filing read.

The Divine Redeemer Parish includes St. James Church in Sewickley and St. Mary’s church in Aleppo.

Building, case history

The house was built in the late 1800s. It was owned by D.C. Herbst of the Independent Natural Gas Co. and Standard Oil Co.

The home was sold to the church in the early 1900s for $12,000. It became the first home of St. James School when it was dedicated on Dec. 6, 1913, according to church records.

The three-story mansion has been vacant for about three decades. It has deteriorated, primarily due to water leaking from the roof. Vegetation also reclaimed a portion of the property.

The parish several years ago requested permission to demolish the Herbst House along Broad Street, citing unsafe and deplorable conditions, as well as it being too costly to repair.

The property is located within one of the borough’s historic districts.

The Sewickley Historic Review Commission recommended denying the parish’s demolition request on Aug. 1, 2022.

Commissioners at the time heard from folks in favor of the building’s demise, including Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh attorney, a structural engineer, parishioners and the Rev. Brian Noel, who became its pastor in May 2020.

They also heard from 10 speakers who opposed the demolition, including other engineers and architects, as well as residents. Four letters supporting its restoration were read into the record prior to the vote.

Borough council had delayed acting on the recommendation for months after members of the Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation lobbied to keep the house standing.

Council eventually voted 6-0 April 11, 2023, to stand by its historic review commission’s recommendation and not allow the Herbst House to be knocked down.

Councilman Tom Rostek recused himself from the vote after announcing he has been a member of the parish for the past 25 years.

Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh officials appealed council’s decision to Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas.

The diocese claimed it was not afforded due process because it was denied the opportunity to confront and cross-examine the borough engineer regarding his findings of the property, court documents read.

Judge Mary C. McGinley issued an order in December 2023 and remanded the case to council to allow cross-examination and “consider further evidence on whether the property in issue is structurally salvageable,” according to court documents.

Boring, at recent council meetings, said no hearing request has been made. He said via email on Aug. 27 that the judge presiding over the status conference may assign a hearing date.

Councilwoman Anne Willoughby said she hopes all this time between formal discussions has led to a change of heart.

“I remain hopeful that the diocese and parish will change their position and decide to support restoration efforts,” Willoughby said via email. “The unique architecture, history and charm of the Herbst House perfectly capture what makes Sewickley special. Its significance and prominent location make it worth fighting for.”

Noel said via email that he had to check with legal counsel prior to commenting.

Messages left with Diocese officials were not returned as of presstime on Aug. 28.