St. Martin’s German Evangelical Church

Located in Sedamsville on Cincinnati, Ohio‘s west side, St. Martin’s German Evangelical Church was constructed in 1892 along River Road.(1)

In 2007, the Sedamsville Civic Association hired a consultant to nominate the area to the National Register of Historic Places, which included the church.(1) A previous attempt in 1993 failed.(2) The district, if approved, would become the city of Cincinnati’s 29th National Register-listed historic district. With the designation, property owners would be eligible for historic preservation tax credits, and it would prohibit the use of federal monies in demolishing buildings within the district.(3)

In spring 2008, the association asked the city to establish a demolition moratorium pending approval of the district after Collins Riverside Development proposed a $50 million, 11-story residential tower along River Road.

On August 1, the Ohio Historic State Preservation Advisory Board voted 8-1 to send the nomination on to the National Park Service.(1) Two weeks later, on August 12, Arlon Brown of Collins applied for a demolition permit for the church.(1) The city of Cincinnati had not yet approved of the permit for the church, although nearby properties had already been demolished. The permit was later granted.(3)

Demolition commenced on the historic church on October 1.(3) The wrecking of the building came nine days prior to the inclusion of a four-block stretch of River Road, including the church property, into the National Register of Historic Places.