Source:Nunnery-hill-chapel-razed
"Nunnery Hill chapel razed: Landmark on Northside torn down after 50 years' existence." Pittsburgh Post, Feb. 16, 1913, second section, p. 6. Newspapers.com 87976976.
The old, weather-beaten chapel on Nunnery Hill, formerly used by St. Mary's Catholic congregation as a burial chapel was razed last week, after having withstood the ravages of time for more than half a century. The lumber will be used for the construction of a stable on the brow of the hill.
There are only a few bodies remaining in the cemetery and it is reported that these will soon be removed and the old burying ground divided into lots and sold by the church. Most of the bodies were taken out about 15 years ago, when use of the chapel was discontinued. Only in a few instances were the tombstones removed with the bodies, so that tombstones containing names of persons long forgotten my [sic] still be seen about the old burial ground.
In recent years the chapel is said to have been frequently desecrated. Prize fights and chicken fights were held under cover of night. The old edifice also is said to have been the scene of poker games on Sunday afternoons.
John Trautman, a contractor, was given permission by Charles Mangold, acting for the trustees of St. Mary's chuch [sic], to tear down the structure, the contractor doing the work in exchange for the bricks and lumber, with which he said he will build a stable. The only reservation made by the church was that the two large iron crosses on the roof of the chapel be given to the church unbroken.
