WJET Channel 24 Interview: Philadelphia Architect Richard Olaya, Sept. 9
Sep 11 2011
Richard Olaya, principal of Olaya Studio, toured the Villa Chapel and told WJET, channel 24, that the chapel "is a gem" and that "this kind of building cannot be replicated today." Olaya said the unique chapel is "one of a kind, worth keeping." An experienced architect, Olaya's reuse projects include renovation of a historic nursing home, an auditorium at Howard University, barracks at Fort Dix and a museum in Santa Fe. He also designed a Center for Culture and Community for a historic Methodist Church. Olaya has also designed additions to a Christian Camp in Upper Moreland Township, PA, and apartments in Philadelphia and Newark. These varied experiences informed his work with volunteers at the planning session for the Villa Chapel sponsored by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Preservation PA and the Erie Center for Design and Preservation. Link - http://yourerie.com/fulltext?nxd_id=192007
5th Annual Croquet & Tea: September 17
Sep 11 2011
The 5th Annual Croquet & Tea fundraiser for the Villa Chapel will be held from 1-4 on Saturday afternoon, September 17, 2011. Come enjoy friendly competition and spirited play against the backdrop of beautiful Gridley Park at Liberty and West 6th. Croquet coaches will guide players on seven courts. Elaborate themed baskets available for Chinese Auction. Tickets are five dollars and may be purchased at the event. A children’s court is provided at no charge. For more information contact Sheila Murray, 453-6401
Erie Times News: "Planning session held for Villa Chapel" p. B1
Sep 10 2011
Architects from Philadelphia and Pittsburgh were among a group that toured the Villa Chapel on Friday and took part in a daylong session to find a "viable, sustainable and appropriate" reuse for the unused chapel. The design-plan session, called a charrette, was co-hosted by the Erie Center for Design & Preservation. After, members of the group presented five possible plans for the use of the chapel, including a mixed-use building, for further study. The Save the Villa Chapel Committee formed to prevent demolition of the building. The committee has raised more than $20,000, part of which was used for temporary roof repairs on the chapel; to start a website; and to fund the charrette. Tax- deductible donations can be sent to the Villa Chapel Fund, c/o Erie Center for Design and Preservation, P.O. Box 1856, Erie, PA 16507. Supporters also are encouraged to attend the Fifth Annual Save The Villa Chapel Croquet and Tea at Gridley Park, West Sixth and Liberty streets, on Sept. 17th from 1 to 4 p.m.
Reuse Plans for Chapel Created
Sep 09 2011
On Friday, Sept. 9 a large group toured the historic Villa Chapel, courtesy of HANDS – the Housing and Neighborhood Development Service. Four architects from Erie, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia along with board members from the Erie Center for Design and Preservation and Erin Hammersted (a Field Representative from the National Trust for Historic Preservation and Preservation Pennsylvania) were present. In several areas of the chapel, plaster has fallen away to reveal the interior brick walls. Though the roof needs repairs, the structure is clearly stable. Despite the dust, the group saw great potential. Meeting in the community room at Temple Anshe Hesed, 25 volunteers worked with architects for five hours to create reuse designs. Possibilities suggested include: a child and adult day care service, a multi-use performing and visual arts center appropriate for weddings, a restaurant, and a 24 unit studio apartment complex. Adaptive reuse of the Villa Chapel promises to be an asset to the neighborhood by providing short-term renovation jobs and long-term employment and services from a business or non-profit housed in the chapel. Architect Jeff Kidder will be presenting several of the proposals at a press conference in October.
2nd Annual Wine & Cheese Open House
Nov 07 2010
Hosted by the Carlow Sisters, the Save the Villa Chapel Committee, and the Erie Center for Design and Preservation, the 2nd Annual Wine & Cheese Open House was held at the historic Watson-Curtze Mansion on Sunday, November 7th from 1 to 4. A string quartet played in the entrance room, treats were available in the dining room, and videos and other information about the chapel was available in the library. Gary's Flower Shoppe donated gorgeous rose centerpieces for each table. This lovely event demonstrated an appropriate reuse of an Erie architectural treasure. Dozens of guests enjoyed the elegant environment and the update on the chapel. Channel 12 covered the event. Several people signed up to offer their time, talent and treasure to the cause!
Croquet & Tea - Saturday, Sept. 11 at Gridley Park
Sep 10 2010
The 4th Annual Croquet & Tea fundraiser for the Villa Chapel will be held from 1-4 on Saturday afternoon, September 11, 2010. Come enjoy friendly competition and spirited play against the backdrop of beautiful Gridley Park at Liberty and West 6th. A children’s court is provided at no charge. Croquet coaches will guide players on all seven courts. Tickets are ten dollars and may be purchased at the event. For more information contact Sheila Murray, 453-6401.
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!