PAID ADVERTISEMENT Mr. Marty O'Brien, President Sewickley Valley Historical Society 200 Broad Street Sewickley, PA 15143 Dear Mr. O'Brien, DIVINE REDEEMER PARISH On behalf of Divine Redeemer Parish, and in my own name, I wish to openly respond to the Society's survey concerning our former convent. I understand that the questionnaire is intended to direct further community discussion. I feel compelled to point out, however, that the survey is fatally flawed and was created in a manner that pre-ordained the outcome. Firstly, the survey asks simply if one has decided that the property be preserved or demolished. However, it does not reference the cost of renovation (which was estimated at $3,764,750 in November 2022), nor that of demolition (estimated at $33,500 in November 2022), nor who would pay for renovation, which is almost certainly more than $4 million at this point. Furthermore, the survey does not account for the mission-related initiatives which Divine Redeemer would be forced to compromise in order to renovate the structure, such as the St. Vincent programs that provide food, shelter and clothing for the needy. Perhaps most importantly, the survey does not reference the financial position of Divine Redeemer Parish. The most recent financial statements have been shared with the Borough, and unequivocally demonstrate that Divine Redeemer simply cannot fund or even partially fund the proposed renovations. Furthermore, neither the survey nor the Sewickley Valley Historical Society's website informs participants that: The former convent building has never been designated as a historic landmark; Divine Redeemer's engineer has reported that the building to be unsafe and should be demolished; The convent building, if it remains, would not serve any mission-related purpose as part of Divine Redeemer's campus; and Even if renovated, the upper two floors of the building would be inaccessible to mobility-challenged individuals; Based on the above, I can only conclude that the survey was designed to elicit the answers desired by the Society and has no probative value. Nevertheless, by sharing my own answers and comments, I hope to make your members better aware of the reasons the Parish is on the present course. 1. Do you believe the St. James Convent / Herbst House should be: Demolished. After careful advisement by our Parish pastoral and finance councils, as well as many, private conversations with concerned parishioners, I made the very difficult decision to apply for the demo permit. 2. Are you a member of Divine Redeemer Parish? Yes. As pastor, I must consider a new set of demographics and facility usage. Divine Redeemer is a merger between Saint James and the historic church of Saint Mary in Aleppo Township. Parish funds are directed to much-needed upgrades of the buildings currently in use on both campuses. As you know, the former convent building was the sight of the first Saint James School, with a long history of serving the church and community in the Sewickley Valley. The institution continues today, housed in a newer Parish building of course, but governed now by the South Regional Catholic Elementary Schools. Thus, any future expansion of the school is not under the auspices of Divine Redeemer. 3. How do you use the Borough of Sewickley? All selected. (Live, Work, School, Worship, Events) Like many others, I am fortunate to experience all that living in the Borough has to offer. Still, a more relevant question should be if one is a resident of Sewickley and owns property in the Borough. Any future discussions about the former convent should favor stakeholders connected directly to the town in these ways. 4. Are you aware of the considered future uses for this structure? All selected. (Adapted reuse, Demolition, Sale) Our parishioners have been informed that a current proposal had been made by the Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation to partially renovate the structure. However, we still have no intended use of a restored property or a guarantee of sufficient funds to fully renovate and maintain it in perpetuity. Nevertheless, we have offered to make the building available for renovation if the community can commit to providing the necessary funds. The suggestion that the Parish could lease a rehabbed property to a third party may sound appealing. We have serious concerns about the security of our families and students, the involved process of potential rezoning, and the augmentation of the current parcel of land to accommodate future tenants. None of these have been sufficiently addressed. Mostly, we have a real need for added exterior space, not only for our own events, but also for the community at large, especially through the farmer's market. Thus, selling the property is simply not an option. Thank you and your members for your concern for the former convent. Hopefully, this letter sheds light on the complexities of the situation. Sincerely yours in Christ, Rev Bmw Rev. Brian W. Noel, S.T.L., Pastor adno-354683 PAID ADVERTISEMENT Mr. Marty O'Brien , President Sewickley Valley Historical Society 200 Broad Street Sewickley , PA 15143 Dear Mr. O'Brien , DIVINE REDEEMER PARISH On behalf of Divine Redeemer Parish , and in my own name , I wish to openly respond to the Society's survey concerning our former convent . I understand that the questionnaire is intended to direct further community discussion . I feel compelled to point out , however , that the survey is fatally flawed and was created in a manner that pre - ordained the outcome . Firstly , the survey asks simply if one has decided that the property be preserved or demolished . However , it does not reference the cost of renovation ( which was estimated at $ 3,764,750 in November 2022 ) , nor that of demolition ( estimated at $ 33,500 in November 2022 ) , nor who would pay for renovation , which is almost certainly more than $ 4 million at this point . Furthermore , the survey does not account for the mission - related initiatives which Divine Redeemer would be forced to compromise in order to renovate the structure , such as the St. Vincent programs that provide food , shelter and clothing for the needy . Perhaps most importantly , the survey does not reference the financial position of Divine Redeemer Parish . The most recent financial statements have been shared with the Borough , and unequivocally demonstrate that Divine Redeemer simply cannot fund or even partially fund the proposed renovations . Furthermore , neither the survey nor the Sewickley Valley Historical Society's website informs participants that : The former convent building has never been designated as a historic landmark ; Divine Redeemer's engineer has reported that the building to be unsafe and should be demolished ; The convent building , if it remains , would not serve any mission - related purpose as part of Divine Redeemer's campus ; and Even if renovated , the upper two floors of the building would be inaccessible to mobility - challenged individuals ; Based on the above , I can only conclude that the survey was designed to elicit the answers desired by the Society and has no probative value . Nevertheless , by sharing my own answers and comments , I hope to make your members better aware of the reasons the Parish is on the present course . 1. Do you believe the St. James Convent / Herbst House should be : Demolished . After careful advisement by our Parish pastoral and finance councils , as well as many , private conversations with concerned parishioners , I made the very difficult decision to apply for the demo permit . 2. Are you a member of Divine Redeemer Parish ? Yes . As pastor , I must consider a new set of demographics and facility usage . Divine Redeemer is a merger between Saint James and the historic church of Saint Mary in Aleppo Township . Parish funds are directed to much - needed upgrades of the buildings currently in use on both campuses . As you know , the former convent building was the sight of the first Saint James School , with a long history of serving the church and community in the Sewickley Valley . The institution continues today , housed in a newer Parish building of course , but governed now by the South Regional Catholic Elementary Schools . Thus , any future expansion of the school is not under the auspices of Divine Redeemer . 3. How do you use the Borough of Sewickley ? All selected . ( Live , Work , School , Worship , Events ) Like many others , I am fortunate to experience all that living in the Borough has to offer . Still , a more relevant question should be if one is a resident of Sewickley and owns property in the Borough . Any future discussions about the former convent should favor stakeholders connected directly to the town in these ways . 4. Are you aware of the considered future uses for this structure ? All selected . ( Adapted reuse , Demolition , Sale ) Our parishioners have been informed that a current proposal had been made by the Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation to partially renovate the structure . However , we still have no intended use of a restored property or a guarantee of sufficient funds to fully renovate and maintain it in perpetuity . Nevertheless , we have offered to make the building available for renovation if the community can commit to providing the necessary funds . The suggestion that the Parish could lease a rehabbed property to a third party may sound appealing . We have serious concerns about the security of our families and students , the involved process of potential rezoning , and the augmentation of the current parcel of land to accommodate future tenants . None of these have been sufficiently addressed . Mostly , we have a real need for added exterior space , not only for our own events , but also for the community at large , especially through the farmer's market . Thus , selling the property is simply not an option . Thank you and your members for your concern for the former convent . Hopefully , this letter sheds light on the complexities of the situation . Sincerely yours in Christ , Rev Bmw Rev. Brian W. Noel , S.T.L. , Pastor adno - 354683