Help save 20 Pine Street (former Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception)

In 2023, the Burlington Design Review Board approved an application for the demolition of this unique Modernist building. Preservation Burlington has been leading the legal battle to save the historically significant structure and its related landscape. Please consider donating to the legal fund to support our efforts: https://gofund.me/4eab0dcd

Information on property: www.divine20pine.com

**UPDATE as of 9/11/23**

First, the downside, or “plunge”: the federal court dismissed our first amendment challenge to the DRB’s decision to approve a demolition permit without applying the same requirements that would apply to any other demolition permit request. We claimed the DRB thereby favored religion over non-religion, in violation of the Establishment Clause. The federal judge did not consider the merits of our claim. Rather, she said we lacked “prudential standing” because we would not be “directly affected.” We politely disagree, but we simply lack the funds to appeal.

But now the upside! Exactly one day later, the state Environmental Court issued an Order staying any demolition pending the outcome of that case. Our state claim is that the Vermont statute exempting churches from various zoning requirements does not apply to the former cathedral, since it has been officially deconsecrated, fenced off, and stripped of interior furnishings (including the altar) for more than four years. In other words, it is not “church,” it’s a vacant structure. The Environmental Court ruled that we do have standing and that we do have a “serious” legal claim Preservation Burlington is very pleased with this decision.

And now the hand comes out. The next step in the state case is discovery, in which we will seek to find out what’s going on with the former cathedral. We know it’s been sold because the diocese has said so, but we don’t know to whom or for what. These could be important issues. We will need to pay our attorney to pursue these questions, and we need your help. Kindly consider sending a check to support our efforts. We also have a special GoFundMe page set up specifically to support our efforts to save 20 Pine Street and I ask you to show your support with a generous donation as we prepare for the next phase in making our case.

As always, I am proud and grateful to be a part of this community and appreciative of all we have accomplished together, and all we will accomplish moving forward.

-Ron Wanamaker, President

See our newsletter on the former cathedral!