Soon to Be Demolished: York House

Fredericton, NB - CE - Tuesday, June 26th, 2007 : goo

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Right before I took off for a trip to Halifax, fellow Montreal contributor EvilGentleman sent me a news story about the planned demolition of a 114 year-old former high school slated for demolition by the Baptist Church congregation that now owns it.

Upon leaving Fredericton last year, I thought the plan to demolish the building had been shelved. I had spoken to a young member of the congregation who assured me that the building would not be demolished as they could not raise the funds for the demolition of the current building and construction of the new one. He explained that they took it as a sign from God that they should not go ahead with the demolition because community support was not there and therefore were not able to meet their fundraising goals.

Now whether you believe that it was a sign from God or not, support from the city for the demolition was not particularly high. Although the building suffers from neglict, most people didn't want yet another historic building Downtown to be demolished. "Save York" buttons were pressed (I still have mine lying around somewhere), letters to the editor of the local newspaper were written, and alternate expansion plans were drafted by the local historical society which would have seen York House altered, but ultimately saved.

Unfortunately, it appears that the church has changed its mind and will indeed go ahead with the demolition as reported in the story mentioned above (link below). Apparently the church doesn't much care about public opinion and is still unwilling to find alternate plans. On my way to Halifax, I made a short overnight stay in Fredericton and made sure to snap a few pictures of York House:

The Brunswick Street Baptist Church which owns the building can be seen to the right:

The church with the Downtown core beginning further to the right:

www.cbc.ca/canada/new-brunswick/story/2007/06/13/nb-goodbyeyork.html

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colavitos ghost: what a shame!

little ukraine: i echo colavito's sentiments exactly

Curious in Freddy: What was the plan?

Anony Mouse: Hmmm, guess they don't exist.

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