Demolition Permit Filed for Former Holy Family School
The Romanesque Revival building in Columbus is currently under review for potential demolition.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Emergency Response
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S.G. Loewendick & Sons submitted an application to demolish the former Holy Family School building in the Franklinton neighborhood. The Catholic Diocese of Columbus, which owns the 45,000-square-foot property, seeks to move forward with the project.
Why it matters
The site holds historical significance in Columbus for serving as a refuge during the 1913 Great Flood and later housing the Jubilee Museum. Its potential destruction follows its inclusion on the 2020 Columbus Landmarks most endangered sites list.
The former school spans more than 45,000 square feet on a 1-acre property. The Franklinton Area Commission has a 60-day window to review the demolition request.
The players
S.G. Loewendick & Sons
This construction and demolition firm submitted the application to raze the historic site.
Catholic Diocese of Columbus
This religious organization owns the property and is the primary entity seeking the site demolition.
Franklinton Area Commission
This local governing body is responsible for reviewing the demolition permit application within a 60-day period.
Columbus Landmarks
This nonprofit preservation organization identifies and tracks historically significant sites at risk of destruction in the city.
The details
The building is located at 57 S. Grubb St. and features Romanesque Revival architecture. City inspectors are tasked with verifying that site materials are recycled and the property is graded properly if the demolition is approved.
Timeline
The school sheltered residents during the 1913 Great Flood.
A building addition was completed in the 1930s.
The school closed in the 1960s.
The Jubilee Museum opened in the building in 1998.
A demolition application was submitted on Sept. 21, 2026.
Seasonal Patterns
The building was included on the 2020 Columbus Landmarks most endangered sites list, highlighting ongoing tensions between historical preservation and urban redevelopment. Its inclusion on this list underscores its historical vulnerability prior to the current demolition request.
Residents can monitor local commission meetings to voice concerns regarding the future of the 57 S. Grubb St. property. Updates on the site status will be provided through the city's standard public review process.
The takeaway
Preserving historic architecture often involves weighing the value of community heritage against the costs of property maintenance. Local stakeholders must balance these interests as the city evaluates the future of the former school building.
What happens next
The Franklinton Area Commission is expected to conclude its review of the demolition application within 60 days of the Sept. 21 submission.
Further reading
For updates on local site developments, visit the Emergency Response section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by NBC4i.
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