...even though there are still books on the shelves...
As a matter of fact, it's for sale by the City of Buffalo, if you know anyone that wants it and can work their way through the hurdles set up to prevent poor ownership. Problem is, the City isn't the best owner either. Apparently the neighbors have taken it upon themselves to cut the grass, tend the gardens, and pick up. Read more on Painting for Preservation.
Originally it was a Unitarian Church, intended as an easier place to attend, back in the day when transportation was always an issue. Eventually they merged back with the main church on Elmwood. Then the Lutherans moved in, but they were busy building a bigger church, so they moved on also. Sort of a starter church I guess, of which there are a few that I know of, but the rest weren't designed by prominent architect William Sydney Wicks. It still has the bones of a church, from the front view, the side entrance, the windows, the stained glass (see books picture above), and so on.
...the roots of that black walnut tree may take over, left unattended...
Anyway, then the City took the church over, made it a library, and the rest is history, so to speak.
There are a few ideas floating around out there for potential reuse: a community lending area, or an art school, or a combination of the two. My own thought revolved around making it trendy residential with an open floor plan, perhaps with a home office in the basement area, which is probably already finished, judging from the staircase going downwards. The choir loft would make a nice sleeping area too...wouldn't even have to add a spiral staircase! Alas, I think a large obstacle is the heating bill. Probably not very energy efficient, although if someone were to go green, the angles for solar panels might be ideal.
On a fine summer morning, however, the library preened for the artists gathered around...
Still beautiful, still dignified, after all these years...
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