09/25/2026
āA process can be changed. A building can be restored. But once a historic structure is gone, it cannot be brought backā
The travesty around the recent demolition of the Emma Abbott Memorial Chapel in Charleston could have been avoided.
In fact because of new legislation which was recently introduced on Capitol Hill, the preservation and protection of millions of historical structures and monuments in America will now be vulnerable to destruction in favor of development.
Perhaps as a preempt to the damaging reversals of Section 106 by the Trump administration, we even witnessed in horror the destruction of the East Wing of our own White House. This reckless act occurred without any accountability by those in Congress who are allowing generations of historical preservation to be bypassed, in favor of this new insatiable development fever that threatens our very identity as a democratic nation.
Our 1927 Nine Mile Fork Schoolhouse had been abandoned for decades before she was revived and carefully restored. The native flora, fauna, and ancient oaks which encompass her two acres had been overgrown and neglected when we stepped in, and it has taken years to bring it back to its original glory. All of these preservation efforts came from a few caring self appointed Homeowners who recognized the significance of this structure and applied their best skills to honor her existence.
Therefore its more important than ever for citizens in our own communities to be aware of these historical jewels and assist in their recovery and protection, rather than leaning solely on national, state and local government institutions for consistent preservation efforts.
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1927 - 2027
https://www.live5news.com/2026/09/24/city-admits-process-has-gaps-after-130-year-old-charleston-church-demolished/
By Mark A Leon For more than 130 years, a small wood-frame chapel stood at 52 Cooper Street on Charlestonās Eastside. Known as the Emma Abbott Memorial Chapel and later home to the Mt. Sinai Holiness Church of Deliverance, the building was constructed in 1892 as a mission church serving the Eastsi...
