From Virginia-
In the Book of Exodus, God appeared to Moses in a burning bush and appointed him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. According to the ancient text, the bush was on fire yet not consumed by the flames. If only the same could be said about the Immanuel Chapel at the Virginia Episcopal Seminary.
Back in October, a fire destroyed the entire wooden roof of the historic chapel, which was consecrated in 1881. Although the fire left a majority of the solid masonry walls and tower intact, leaders at the seminary want to demolish 70 percent of the remaining structure to create what they call a "Prayer Garden." According to an application for a demolition permit, the Prayer Garden would be a place for meditation and outdoor services.
"There’s a sense of regret in having to make this presentation," said land-use attorney Duncan Blair, who also serves as chancellor of the seminary. "But, at the same time, there’s a sense of celebration because of what is being proposed."
The prayer-garden concept would employ the same technique of adaptive reuse that was used at Old Sheldon Church in South Carolina, Church Ruins in Port Arthur, Texas, and St. Catherine’s Church in Nuremberg, Germany. A more local example of the outdoor chapel and garden ruin is the St. Thomas Parish Episcopal Church near Dupont Circle. Much of the opposition to the seminary’s plan is based on the extent of the demolition proposed, which would scrap the iconic tower of the chapel.
More here-
http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/article.asp?article=350079&paper=59&cat=104
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