Symbol offends church

A Catholic clergyman refuses to restore an 'offensive' symbol on a historic city building.

By MIKE HOOVER
Daily Record/Sunday News

Wednesday, December 8, 2004

Correction: A reference to Dr. David Drew in the small headline is incorrect. Drew is the chairman of the St. Peter and Paul Roman Catholic Mission.

Dr. David Drew left the York council chambers confident that God will protect him and his congregation at St. Peter and Paul Roman Catholic Mission in an inevitable battle over religious freedom.

Regardless of the results of a pending council decision, Drew said he will not follow the city's Historic Architectural Review Board's edict to restore an inscription on a Protestant church datestone that was covered over with concrete during recent renovations.

Drew accused the review board of an "anti-Catholic bigotry" in demanding the 1973 marker for the New Holy Chapel Church be returned to its original condition on the church's north tower, 129 S. Beaver St.

The Protestant symbol is a violation of the Catholic Church's religious followings and ordering its restoration is a "clear and manifest violation" of the Pennsylvania Religious Freedom Act and his federal civil rights, Drew said.

A typical fight between property owner rights and preservation efforts has turned into a battle between religion and history — one Drew said he is willing to wage in York County Common Pleas Court and federal court.

"The sign is a violation of our religious tenants. It is offensive to our religious tenants," Drew said.

After a long debate and meeting privately with assistant city solicitor Donald Hoyt, the council Tuesday tabled a decision to require Drew to restore the datestone and to then cover it with a plaque for St. Peter and Paul Roman Catholic Church. The council wanted a legal review by Hoyt before issuing a ruling.

Council President Cameron Texter said Drew and his congregation were aware the church — the former Adas Israel Synagogue built in 1906 — was located in a historic district. The city has the right and responsibility to protect the building's history, including the architectural features.

Drew said it didn't make sense to order the datestone restored and then covered.

"This is ridiculous. I consider it harassment," he said.

"It is nothing but bigotry to contend the Catholic Church has a sign like this outside our building. Whether it is covered or not, it is a matter of my religious faith on private property."

Councilman Joe Musso said that review board and Drew have been fighting throughout renovations, which began a year ago. They include placing vinyl siding on the red brick without city approval and a request — which the city denied — to destroy the building's historic Turkish-style copper domes, called onion domes.

Musso questioned why the Star of David left behind by the synagogue was not covered. Drew responded that the Star was not anti-Catholic.

But Drew said that he intended to replace sections of stained glass which has Masonic symbols that were "incompatible" with Catholicism.

A divided public entered into the debate.

Michael Helfrich said the city has to protect the town's history and architecture while Ed Berry said the council did not have the authority to tell Drew what to do on privately owned property.

"If he wants to erase that from his building, he has a right to do that," Berry said.

Jeff Kirkland, city school board president and candidate for mayor, questioned the consistency of the council and preservationists. He said the city allowed a red, flashing neon sign on the historic Strand-Capital Performing Arts Center and the razing of a historic carriage house to make way for the Martin Library expansion.

Kirkland question if exceptions were made for those who have "power."

"It's a matter of equity," Kirkland said.

Reach Mike Hoover at 771-2088 or mhoover@ydr.com

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