• Home
  • Travel
  • Articles
  • Create
  • About
    • FAQ
    • About
  • Shop
    Login/ Signup

    • Home
    • Travel
    • Articles
    • Create
    • About
      • FAQ
      • About
    • Shop
    Sign in Sign up
    On route and almost there !
    loading spinner outerloading spinner inner

    Erasing St. Boniface

    The history of St. Boniface began with the establishment of St. Peter’s Church in 1843 to serve the German Catholics in Philadelphia’s West Kensington neighborhood. The parish grew quickly and in 1866 the property on which St. Boniface and an adjoining school would be built was purchased. The cornerstone was laid in 1868 but St. Boniface was not dedicated until 1872 because of funding. The financial troubles continued until the Archbishop intervened and wrote a letter on behalf of the church requesting assistance from Rome. Though the ship carrying the letter wrecked and caught fire, the mail bag carrying it washed ashore and the singed but legible missive was delivered. It was deemed to be the work of God that the letter survived, and the Archbishops requests were granted. The Redemptorists, a society of missionary priests specializing in preaching to the poor, took over the church. The Sisters who lived in the school vacated the third floor and prepared meals for their new guests.

    The demographics of the neighborhood shifted over the years and the church population declined. The dwindling parish was unable to keep up with maintenance on the building, and in its final days scaffolding was erected in front of the building to keep people from getting hit by falling debris and the windows were removed because the lead filling had eroded so badly that they were crumbling. Repairs were reportedly estimated at seven million dollars, and though it survived longer than many of the other churches in the area, the Archdiocese closed it in 2006. It was purchased by a developer who demolished it in 2012 to make way for housing.

    See the full gallery on Abandoned America: www.abandonedamerica.us/st-boniface

    Matthew Christopher PA Philadelphia Mar 29, 2021 Architecture

    Next
    Location: Philadelphia, PA

    creator image
    Matthew Christopher
    Mar 29, 2021
    follow button
    Share Erasing St. Boniface
    SHARE

    SHARE
    30
    Like
    2
    I've been there
    14
    Comment
    169
    Share

    Unfortunately the future of many more churches!
    0
    Like Reply 2 years
      3 Replies

    author avatar
    You mean fortunately!
    0
    Like 2 years

    author avatar
    Happening in downtown Syracuse, NY also
    0
    Like 2 years

    author avatar
    The mindset of life without God is
    0
    Like 2 years

    author avatar
    The organ pipes... 🥺
    1
    Like Reply 2 years

    author avatar
    Such a beautiful building.   What a shame! 😪😓😔😮‍💨😥
    0
    Like Reply 2 years

    author avatar
    Not only churches are closing, the vast majority will sadly  receive the wrecking ball.
    1
    Like Reply 2 years
      1 Replies

    author avatar
    Due to Godless people, and it shows!
    0
    Like 2 years

    author avatar
    Not only churches are closing, the vast majority will face the wrecking ball.
    0
    Like Reply 2 years
      1 Replies

    author avatar
    Yes sad- my church is being torn down
    0
    Like 2 years

    author avatar
    It would make a remarkable home!
    0
    Like Reply 2 years
      1 Replies

    true!
    2
    Like 6 months

    It is very sad that there are few older buildings in this country.  Europe has magnificent buildings that have endured for centuries. We tend to tear old buildings down instead of cherishing them.
    1
    Like Reply 2 years

    Sad.
    1
    Like Reply 5 months

    Profile Photo
    Christopher Gentile shared this post 2 weeks ago
    Profile Photo
    Christopher Gentile visited this post 2 months ago
    Profile Photo
    Christopher Gentile liked this post 2 months ago
    Profile Photo
    Kristifer visited this post 3 months ago
    Profile Photo
    Peter liked this post 3 months ago
    Profile Photo
    Jack Donahue liked this post 3 months ago
    Profile Photo
    Kristifer commented: "Sad." 5 months ago
    Profile Photo
    Kristifer commented: "true!" 6 months ago
    Profile Photo
    Phyllis Boggs Rayburn commented: "It is very sad that there are few…" 2 years ago
    Profile Photo
    Jack Donahue commented: "Unfortunately the future of many more churches!" 2 years ago
    Profile Photo
    Matthew created this post 4 years ago

    More Views For You!
    Card image cap
    Power Trip 2018 Conowingo Dam, Kerr Dam and more!
    Card image cap
    The Bridge of Lions 2019, St. Augustine, FL
    Card image cap
    Crossroads in Ashland, VA
    Card image cap
    Youthful Peacock St Augustine, FL
    Card image cap
    St Augustine Sunset
    Card image cap
    Castillo de San Marcos in St. Augustine, FL

    Have a story to tell? Create an account and get started. It's free!

    Top
    Show List See Map
    Trending Now Icon Generic placeholder image Generic placeholder image
    Posts View History

    Loading Views . . .

    Looking for something different?
    Go on a journey through East Coast States
    Go back destination: Current Screen:
    Browsing History

    Follow us on Social Channels

    GET IN TOUCH

    Question? Request? Issues? Get in touch with us here.


    `
    Contact
    • About
    • FAQS
    • Login
    • Shop
    • Register
    • Travel RT1
    • Privacy Notice
    • Terms of Use
    • About Route 1

    © 2025 Double Ohs Music, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

    Route1Views
    Loading