St. George’s Syrian Orthodox Church Unveils $240,000 Rebuilding Plan Before Zoning Appeals Board-August 19, 1976

St. George’s Syrian Orthodox Church in South Norwood presented an estimated $240,000 rebuilding proposal to the zoning appeals board last night, outlining plans to demolish its iconic five-domed brick church built in the early 1930s and replace it with a modern brick veneer concrete structure designed in the Byzantine style. Church officials stated that repairing the aging original building while complying with updated state building codes would be economically unfeasible. The new structure will follow existing foundation lines except for a 30-foot-long addition, allowing the parish to continue serving its more than 100 parishioners at its historic Atwood Avenue location in the heart of South Norwood’s Syrian-American community.

The zoning appeals board took under advisement two variance requests required for the project: permitting an addition beyond current dimensional boundaries and granting a continued exemption from on-site parking bylaws. Board Chairman George M. Eysie, a member of the church, recused himself from the proceedings. Parish council president Robert Bethoney and church building committee chairman George Elias defended the proposal, asserting that it carried the “enthusiastic approval” of at least 95 percent of the parishioners. While a brief debate arose following a telephone call received by acting chairman George Williamson hinting at minor internal dissension, church leaders emphasized broad community backing.

Several community members spoke during the hearing, including Mary Frederick of 27 St. Paul Ave., a non-parishioner who praised the project as a testament to ethnic harmony in South Norwood, remarking that the neighborhood is known for more than just local bars. Opposition came from David Cianci and James Piazza, speaking on behalf of their in-laws Angelo and Felichetta Famigliette of 21 Austin St., who contended that the expanded structure would encroach too close to adjacent property lines.

In other business, the zoning appeals board addressed several additional local matters:

• Flaherty Building Code Appeal: The board declined a proposal by member George Williamson to take a formal opposing position on a building code height relief petition filed by Richard A. Flaherty of 52 East Cross St.—who had previously spearheaded a successful court challenge against the board—with members Joseph J. Randall and George M. Eysie cautioning against appearing vindictive or petty.
• Ahearn Property Conversion: A decision regarding the appeal of former state representative and Mrs. David Ahearn to convert a barn at 80 Vernon St. into five apartments was postponed for two weeks to allow the planning board time to reinspect the property.
• Norwood Plaza Inspection: The board agreed to conduct a site inspection at the Norwood Plaza on Walpole Street alongside Building Inspector John E. Grover to review reported maintenance deficiencies and evaluate original approval stipulations.

Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger