Animation by MoreFrames celebrates Villa Chapel
May 21 2010
Jeremy Beecher reports on SSJ plans for Villa Chapel
Apr 04 2010
Dozens of people attended an Easter Day rally at the old Villa Chapel, hoping to raise enough money to prevent its destruction. The chapel is an area landmark, but time has taken a toll on its structure -- the Sisters of St Joseph, who own it, say fixing it would cost millions of dollars they don't have. The Sisters have begun salvaging parts of the interior; then they plan to turn the chapel over to a developer, who would likely destroy it. But this group says the chapel's problems are cosmetic, not structural, and fixing it would likely cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, rather than millions. At the Easter rally, they unveiled an ambitious fundraising campaign -- they're hoping to attract 1,000 donors to give $100 each. If they meet that goal, they say they'll be able to get the restoration process underway and preserve the chapel for future generations. "We have a masterpiece here," said Lisa Austin. "There are people who haven't even been in the building, who have only looked at the videos online, who are sending us money." "When i found out they wanted to tear it down, i cried," said Ivy Vahanian, who spent nearly every day of her youth in the chapel as a student at Villa Maria Academy. "Ii think if everybody just did a little bit, then it would be taken care of."
Villa Chapel on FACEBOOK
Apr 04 2010
Diane M. Schneider has placed the "Save the Villa Chapel" on Facebook. At this time, tax-decutable donations must still be sent by check to "Save Villa Chapel" c/o ErieCDP, PO Box 1856, Erie, PA 16507.
Easter Rally for Villa Chapel nets over $4,000
Apr 04 2010
Fifty people spent part of their Easter Sunday on the 800 block of West 9th Street learning the most current news about the condition and fate of the Villa Chapel. Folks leafed through the engineer's March 2010 photos of the interior and munched on home-made cookies and candied almonds. Children and adults colored pictures of the chapel, others tried out the hula hoops. Residents of the Villa apartments, local homeowners and Villa alumni all voiced support of renovation plans to television reporters. The Capital Campaign has already brought in over $4,000 in tax-deductable donations!
Erie Times News story on Easter Rally plans
Apr 04 2010
Page 5B of the Erie Times News features Dana Massing's story, "Villa maria Chapel supporters rally today." Please join us from 3 - 4 PM at the corner of West 9th and Liberty as we kick off our capitol campaign.
5th Easter Sunday Rally at the Villa Chapel
Mar 31 2010
Since 2005, preservationists have gathered on Easter Sunday at the corner of 9th & Liberty to rally in support of the Villa Chapel at 9th & Plum. This year the group finally has VERY GOOD NEWS to report. Please stop by the one hour event between 3 and 4 PM on April 4, Easter Sunday. Questions? 452 - 8401 or email - info@villachapel.com.
How to Donate
Mar 25 2010
The Save the Villa Chapel committee is looking for 1,000 individuals who will each donate (or raise and donate) $100. Tax deductable donations may be dropped off at the corner of Liberty and West 9th between 3 and 4PM April 4th (Easter Sunday) or mailed to: Save Villa Chapel c/o ErieCDP, PO Box 1856, Erie, PA 16507-0856.
Capitol Campaign Opens Easter Sunda
Mar 24 2010
To mark the fifth anniversary of efforts to save the irreplaceable Villa Chapel, supporters will gather at the corner of West 9th and Liberty Streets at 3PM on April 4, Easter Sunday. During this one-hour event, current interior photos and information about the chapel will be shared as the volunteers kick off the capitol campaign. Everyone is welcome to stop by and enjoy the coloring activities, pictures, music, flowers and Easter candy.
Engineer’s report : Villa Chapel is stable!
Mar 22 2010
In February of this year, experts from Atlantic Engineering Services examined the Villa Chapel at West 9th and Plum Streets in Erie, PA. Their official report notes that building is structurally stable and that the unsightly, but limited interior damage is due to a leaky roof and is completely repairable.
Important Fundraising Meeting
Mar 05 2010
All Save the Villa Chapel supporters are encouraged to attend a one hour meeting on Tuesday, March 9th at 5:15PM. Email "info@villachapel.com" for directions.