When that site was chosen for the new church, the house, which stood where they wanted to build the church, was not demolished, which might have been the solution pursued today. Instead it was moved. The late Gerard ("Roddy") Hart, who lived his entire life in the neighborhood around the courthouse, remembered, as a child, watching the feat, which was accomplished with horses and huge rollers.
The house's destination was 431 East Allen Street, where it still stands today and is the home of Catholic Charities.
What a great story with such a happy ending Thanks
ReplyDeleteHorses moved that house!
It is a great story.
ReplyDeleteThe building that was moved became a Convent for the Sisters of St. Joseph of Corondelet.
The Sisters taught at St. Mary's Academy which was built in 1898 at the southeast corner of 3rd and Allen Sts. The corner lot is now vacant. The building next door to 431 Allen St.
was also a Convent, aka the New
Convent and 431 aka the Old Convent as designated by St.Mary's students and Church members.