Stealing Coconut Grove history like thieves in the night

It's a shame that St. Stephen's Church feels the need to destroy a piece of Grove history. Yesterday night they started demolishing the old 1912 church built by Grove pioneers, including Ralph Munroe.

Imagine if we still had the Peacock Inn standing at Peacock Park. Imagine if the Woman's Club was to go next.That's sort of what this is like.

This old church was sort of neglected when it could have been the centerpiece of the Grove. The little courtyard out front always had a charm and warmth about it.

We all know that St. Stephens can do what they want with their property, but it seems that when you have a piece of history as part of your property, then that piece of history should be proudly respected and in some sort of way, the history belongs to everyone, not just the person who owns the land or building. The little church was/is believed to be the oldest standing church in the county.

St. Stephens has no respect for the Grove, for their parishioners or for themselves, it seems. And whomever approved the plans for this project dropped the ball big time. They were making such an issue out of Class II permits and such and the most important item was overlooked.

Just the fact that a bunch of fools with sledge hammers started knocking things down -- people who were not even part of the construction crew, says a lot about the character or lack of character of many church members. They were so eager to destroy the building because they knew if there was any sort of hearing, they would probably not be able to destroy things.

Also, the way that Melissa Meyer, a church member and one of the architects, was manhandled by one parishioner also says a lot. St. Stephens sounds like one of those weird cults you hear about. Is this how the church goes about its business?

It's amazing that the little church lasted this long. In Miami, most feel that anything from the 1960s is ancient.

I wasn't there, but Melissa Meyer, was. Her account is here.

Photo by Harry Emilio Gottlieb

Part of the on-going St. Stephen's saga