Roman Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth gets permission to demolish late civic leader's house

By SANDRA BAKER

sabaker@star-telegram.com

FORT WORTH -- The city's Historic and Cultural Landmarks Commission gave permission to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth on Monday to demolish a former residence of the late civic leader and educator Hazel Harvey Peace despite a last-minute plea from a Historic Fort Worth Inc. representative.

The diocese has said the costs are too great to rehabilitate the house, built in 1922. It is at 1103 E. Terrell Ave., in the Terrell Heights Historic District. In June, Peace's estate sold the house to the diocese, which wants to expand the adjacent Our Mother of Mercy parish and school.

Jerre Tracy, Historic Fort Worth's executive director, said some preservationists question the diocese's repair estimates, saying it should be asked to secure more bids, including some from companies that specialize in rehabs.

Peace's home "is a daily reminder of her dedication to education that continues to influence those in her neighborhood," Tracy said. "The house deserves another family."

Commissioner Brenda Sanders-Wise voted against the demolition.

"It played such a significant role in the community," she said. "I just know we have preserved worse homes."

City staff also recommended that the diocese's request be denied.

In November, the diocese sought approval to remove the structure. Commissioners, though, asked the diocese to work with leaders in the African-American community in southeast Fort Worth to find a solution to save the house.

But after three meetings, community leaders sided with the diocese, said Andre McEwing, who is executive director of Southeast Fort Worth Inc. and led those efforts.

"It was a challenging decision, obviously," McEwing said.

The diocese said it will allow the community groups to remove parts of the interior, perhaps the kitchen, to be used as a memorial elsewhere.

The diocese is also considering naming Our Mother of Mercy's learning center and computer library for Peace, diocese spokesman Pat Svacina said.

Peace, who died at age 100, taught for several decades at the segregated I.M. Terrell High School, was active in civic affairs well into her 90s and was a mentor to generations of black leaders.

SANDRA BAKER, 817-390-7727

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