There are at least three good reasons for the Divine Redeemer Parish to withdraw its application for a demolition permit for the Herbst House.
Historically, the house has stood for 140 years and was home to a Catholic school and later a convent.
Architecturally, the house represents the Charles Adams style or High Victorian Gothic. The mansard roof was copied from second empire French style.
Third, there is a biblical reason as set forth in 2 Chronicles, verse 34:10-20 of the New Catholic Bible, where Josiah, son of King David, funded the restoration of the temple, which the kings of Judah had permitted to fall into disrepair.
This dictum applies by analogy to the current situation, as the church has permitted the Herbst House to fall into disrepair.
Long live the Herbst House!
Simon Noel
Sewickley
