Avoca Church Demolition Causes Sadness, Frustration

Avoca, Luzerne County -- A demolition crew made serious progress Monday dismantling something that stood for more than a century in Avoca. Chunk by chunk, Pioneer Construction tore down the old Ss. Peter & Paul Church at Main and Vine Streets. "Another church gone," said Bob Ryzner of Duryea. He was married in Ss. Peter & Paul Church in 1983. He wanted one last look at the Avoca landmark before it was all gone. "It's sad to see it go but I guess that's today's way of things. Knock 'em down instead of fixing them up."

The Diocese of Scranton closed Ss. Peter & Paul in October 2011 and sold it to the borough of Avoca for $144,000. Borough council decided it was cost prohibitive to renovate the building so decided to demolish it and build a new municipal building on the church grounds. "You know, I think it's wonderful in the name of progress that it's going to be a municipal building. I'm sad that we weren't able to save the structure," said Jeff Romanecz who lives next door to the church in the parish's former rectory building which he bought last year. He co-write a book about the church's history for its centennial celebration in 2009. "My great-grandfather was one of the founders of the parish and actually built this building," said Mr. Romanecz. "The family's been at the house all morning stopping by, taking pictures and you know shedding some tears." He and others hoped the former house of worship could be used in some capacity. "If it was saved, I hope it would be a community center or a theater. You know if somebody came commercially, a restaurant," said Mr. Romanecz. Mr. Ryzner added, "I would have hoped it would have been kept and renovated into a borough building and you know at least kept the old look."

Even though the construction crew waited until Monday to carry out the bulk of demolition, some removal work was done in advance. The borough salvaged the church's granite steps and a bell from the church tower. It's even cleaning up some bricks to give away to former parishioners at a later date. But for some, that's little consolation. "You never would have thought years ago this was going to happen but here it is and it's happening," said Mr. Ryzner.

Demolition on the church should be completed Tuesday morning with all of the debris removed by the end of the week. Avoca borough hopes to begin construction of its new municipal building at the site this spring.

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Avoca Church Demolition Causes Sadness, Frustration