Watch CBS News

Demolition Crews Work On Historic Church

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Pieces of the St. Nicholas Church are continuing to come down.

The historic church is being torn down to make way for the expansion of Route 28.

Demolition crews worked overnight to take down the old church, blocking off parts of Route 28 heading into the city.

When demolition started, the first thing to go was the bells, in preparation for the wrecking ball.

St.-Nicholas-Church
(Photo Courtesy of Paula Warywoda)

The expansion comes after a years-long battle between the diocese and preservationist.

"This process has been going on for nearly 20 years," Fr. Ron Lengwin, of the Pittsburgh Catholic Diocese told KDKA in November.

The Diocese says it received a certificate of economic hardship that allows the groundwork for the demolition to move forward in spite of the building's historic designation.

RELATED LINKS
More Local News
More On This Story
Stay Up To Date, Follow KDKA On Twitter

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.