Letter to the editor: Preserve the Herbst House

Sewickley Valley Historical Society respectfully requests that the Divine Redeemer Parish of Sewickley preserve the Herbst House located on the Broad Street frontage of the Saint James Church campus through adaptive reuse and restoration.

One of the things that distinguishes Sewickley as special is its unique “sense of place.” This ambiance is the product of careful planning by farsighted individuals. For over two centuries, property owners and residents have prioritized the quality of life through judicious land management and attention to the built environment. This 200-year-old tradition and its legacy are indeed a gift to us and to future generations.

The former residence on Broad Street, a contributing structure in the borough’s Third Historic District, is both architecturally and historically significant. The church, school and this house, along with the surrounding green space, combine as an integral part of the primary entrance to Sewickley Village.

We sympathize with the church and appreciate the preservation issues and challenges that a structure of this age and size presents. Such issues notwithstanding, historic building restoration and reuse can be economically sound and socially responsible. We welcome the opportunity to discuss these points and to present ideas that extrapolate these concepts to the church’s specific situation.

There is a very strong sentiment throughout the community to preserve this building. Volunteers have come forward in the past to assist in raising the necessary funds and in identifying preservation and reuse options in similar situations that have occurred with several historic structures located on other ecclesiastical properties.

These instances were all win-win situations for those congregations and the entire community. SVHS invites you to partner with us and the community in a dialogue with the ultimate end of preserving the Herbst House on Broad Street for Saint James Church, the immediate neighborhood and the entire Village of Sewickley.

Joe Zemba

President, Sewickley Valley Historical Society