 altars from Italy  pulpit  Holy waterfont  stained glass  Statuary  organ  archway  oak carved pews  statutes from Italy  carpet from Ireland   October 21, 2005
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Saint Brigid and the 12 apostles by Seamus Murphy
Terra cotta by Gladding McBean
St. Brigid has survived two major earthquakes, the great depression, two world wars - and an attempt this January by San Francisco's Catholic archdiocese to demolish it.
So when the Academy of Art University's Elisa Stephens bought our 100-year-old church from the archdiocese in October, and she vowed her motivation was "simply historic preservation," we were relieved. While of course we would have preferred to have St. Brigid reopened as a church, Ms. Stephens seemed like she intended be a good custodian of this piece of San Francisco history.
The Board of Supervisors had weighed in, and introduced legislation to make the church, both inside and out, a city landmark to protect it for future generations.
But now Stephens has hired lawyers and is opposing the landmark application.
So we've come a long way, but it's not over yet; and St. Brigid needs a little more of your time.
We understand Ms. Stephens is not objecting to protections for the exterior of the church, but is opposing any restrictions that might prevent her from destroying the inside. The building contains many treasures: stained glass windows from Harry Clark Studios in Dublin, Ireland; a Ruffatti pipe organ custom made for the church in Italy, and statuary by turn-of-the-century California artists and the famed Irish sculptor Seamus Murphy.
All of this is still in jeopardy.
You can help by just turning up at what is likely to be the last chance to make your wishes known about what should happen to St. Brigid - for generations to come.
Please come to the Board of Supervisors Land Use Committee, on Wednesday, December 7, 1:00 in Room 263, just across the hall from the main boaed of Supervisors chamber at the top of the grand staircase in City Hall. St. Brigid is the second item on the agenda. In case of schedule change, please call our hotline (415) 364-1511 or look at www.st-brigid.org before you come down.
Thanks,
Joe Dignan
Committee To Save St. Brigid Church
P.O. Box 641318
San Francisco, CA 94164-1318
Voice Mail: (415)364-1511
Web: www.st-brigid.org
e-Mail: info@st-brigid.org