Possible demolition of historic Herbst House in Sewickley remains on hold as talks with borough, diocesan officials continue

An old convent and private residence in Sewickley that also once was used as a Catholic school will remain standing as borough and Divine Redeemer Parish officials negotiate its future.

Council in April rejected a demolition request by the parish to knock down what is colloquially called the Herbst House along Broad Street.

The historic review commissioners unanimously recommend its denial Aug. 1.

Parish authorities argued at both meetings that the structure was unsafe and in deplorable condition, and that it was too costly to repair the building.

Estimated restoration costs at the time were around $3.7 million.

Those against the proposed demolition argued the property was salvageable.

Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh officials appealed council’s decision to Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas.

The diocese claimed it was not afforded due process because it was denied the opportunity to confront and cross-examine the borough engineer regarding his findings of the property, court documents read.

Engineer John Schneider inspected the Herbst House Sept. 27 and April 4. He submitted his finalized report April 11, the day of the council meeting.

The report indicated the building could be saved. However, it did not have restoration cost estimates.

Judge Mary C. McDinley issued an order in December and remanded the case to council to allow cross-examination and “consider further evidence on whether the property in issue is structurally salvageable,” according to court documents.

A hearing has not been scheduled yet.

Borough and parish officials confirmed via email Jan. 31 that talks between both parties remain ongoing.

“Nothing substantive has changed yet,” council President Cynthia Mullins said. “We are hopeful the diocese and the historic preservation community will be exploring a way to preserve the house.”

Mullins said the diocese agreed to hold off on a hearing while preservation talks continued.

“A hearing will only be held if the parties cannot find a path forward,” she said. “We are waiting to hear from the diocese on when we can coordinate a meeting of the stakeholders.”

Borough Solicitor Nate Boring said he received the court order. He echoed Mullins’ comments.

“My interpretation of the judge’s opinion is that the demolition application hinges on whether the property is salvageable or not,” he said. “This is good news from the standpoint of the borough already having an expert report that says it is salvageable. … There is no deadline to hold the evidentiary hearing directed by the court order, so no hearing will be held unless the conciliation discussions reach a standstill or the diocese requests that the hearing be scheduled.”

The Rev. Brian Noel said his parish’s facts presented at the previous meetings have not changed.

“We recognize that the court has directed borough council to reconsider the matter in adherence to proper procedures,” Noel said. “We are hopeful that there will be due recognition of the facts originally put forward that the parish lacked the financial resources to properly renovate this blighted property.”

Councilwoman Anne Willoughby, a borough liaison with the historic review commission, said everyone is hopeful for a “win-win” with the Herbst House.

“The solution is out there and the diocese, parish, Sewickley community and area preservationists are actively pursuing it, which is great,” Willoughby said.

The parish includes St. James Church in Sewickley and St. Mary’s church in Aleppo.

The house was built in the late 1800s. It was owned by D.C. Herbst of the Independent Natural Gas Co. and Standard Oil Co.

The home was sold to the church in the early 1900s for $12,000. It became the first home of St. James School when it was dedicated on Dec. 6, 1913, according to church records.

The three-story mansion has been vacant for about three decades. It has deteriorated, primarily due to water leaking from the roof. Vegetation also reclaimed a portion of the property.