A historic Mount Washington church that once anchored a hilltop neighborhood is now headed for demolition after a three-alarm fire badly damaged the long-vacant building earlier this month.
The former Grand View United Presbyterian Church caught fire in the late afternoon or early evening on July 7. The congregation had already held its final worship service in December 2022 and officially dissolved on Dec. 31 of that year, leaving Pittsburgh Presbytery in charge of the property. By the time of the fire, the Presbytery was in the process of selling the building, which remains under contract while contingencies are resolved.
Following the fire, the City of Pittsburgh issued an emergency demolition order for the structure. Pittsburgh Presbytery retained Schaaf Excavating Contractors to handle the demolition, and church officials say the contractor is working with city officials to secure permits. Demolition is expected to happen soon…