Steve Lindsey: Fight on to save St. Raphael

Steve Lindsey  —  7/13/2008 7:01 am

Dear Editor:

What constitutes a landmark? If the historic and culturally significant St. Raphael's is not a landmark, what is?

I read with despair a city preservationist's comment that landmarking St. Raphael's was "a waste of time." Since when is historical significance, to use her words, a "moot point"? What kind of a cultural watchdog is this? A well-fed one, I would surmise. One not given to barking at the approach of danger!

Her comments reminded me of the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission's refusal to landmark venerable St. Brigid's. New York's landmarks commission was founded after the demolition of Penn Central Station, yet it has devolved, in my opinion, as being overly deferential to real estate interests. No barking here either.

St. Brigid's is of the same vintage as St. Raphael's. It was built by the Irish fleeing starvation in the Emerald Isle. But it was gutted by workmen hoping to discourage us from saving it. They smashed stained glass with sledgehammers. Rain and snow intruded, furthering their aim. We lost battle after battle yet held the moral high ground.

We soldiered on. A few weeks ago, an angel donated a large sum to the cause. St. Brigid's lives on. Carry on, brave citizenry of Madison. As long as St. Raphael's sandstone walls stand, hope lives.

Steve Lindsey

Keene, N.H.

Steve Lindsey  —  7/13/2008 7:01 am