The congregation of Immanuel Lutheran Church has voted to delay until spring 2010 the proposed demolition of its Gothic Revival sanctuary on East 15th Street at Cortlandt in the Heights East Historic District. GHPA has been advocating the historic building’s preservation for several years, and encouraging church officials to retain the 77-year-old landmark as the cornerstone of the Immanuel campus. The church members' decision gives preservation supporters additional time to develop other plans for the congregation's consideration.

In the past month, GHPA staff, City Council members Ed Gonzalez, Sue Lovell and their representatives, and Mayor Bill White’s representative have held two meetings with Immanuel’s congregational leaders to discuss alternatives to demolition. At GHPA’s request, Texas Historical Commission, Preservation Texas and Partners for Sacred Places also contacted the church to encourage the congregation to reconsider its plans for razing the building.

At its October meeting, Houston Archaeological and Historical Commission denied Immanuel's request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to raze the church, which is a contributing building in the Heights East Historic District. Despite the HAHC vote, under Houston's preservation ordinance, demolition of the sanctuary could have proceeded legally on January 3, 2010.

Thanks to all the GHPA members who phoned and e-mailed Immanuel's leaders when the application for demolition was made public. GHPA will keep its members updated as events develop.

Previously: Historic Heights church faces demolition

Photo: Detail, Immanuel Lutheran Church (photo by David Bush)