Church to Move 1,000 Miles For New Congregation

Mary Our Queen Catholic Church in Norcross, Georgia needs a new building. Rather than build a modern box, they're moving a historic basilica all the way from Buffalo, New York, calling their strategy "preservation by relocation".

1 minute read

March 6, 2010, 1:00 PM PST

By Tim Halbur

Architect Scott Doyon sees positives and negatives in the church's strategy.

"Conspicuous in the new plans is the apparent absence of a surrounding neighborhood. Thus, a structure that once stood as the spiritual heart of a physical community will now be repackaged as the idealized temple on a hill.

Not that I have anything against grandeur or symbolism. Each has their place. But the church suggests this rebirth will add centuries to the building's life. Assuming that's true, what are the ramifications when the building is embedded in a physical context that many believe has increasingly diminished prospects?"

FULL STORY: Heaven Help Us: Ambitious Project Both Reaffirms, Tests Faith in Sustainable Future

Monday, February 15, 2010 in PlaceMakers blog

Architecture History / Preservation Georgia Historic Preservation Churches Buffalo Norcross View More

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