To my alma mater: Anatok important to local Catholic history, heritage

July 5, 2012

Jim Brooks
Cox’s Creek, KY 40013

Christi Medley
Director of Advancement
Bethlehem High School
309 W. Stephen Foster Ave.
Bardstown, KY 40004

Dear Ms. Medley,

Thank you for your recent letter regarding my pledged donation in support of my alma mater, Bethlehem High School.

In light of the unresolved issue of the future of the historic Anatok property, I have decided to withhold financial support for Bethlehem High School. This decision was not an easy one, as I value the education my daughter Katie received at Bethlehem, and I value the school’s mission.

I also value historic preservation, and after conversations with the parties who wish to see Anatok preserved, my only recourse is to withhold my financial support of the school and express my thoughts on what appears to be a foregone conclusion — the demolition of a historic landmark and an important part of our Catholic heritage.

I respectfully request Principal Tom Hamilton and the Bethlehem school board work in good faith with those who believe Anatok is worthy of efforts to preserve it. The home was birthplace to Daniel Rudd, a well-known and influential African-American Catholic journalist, who grew up as a parishioner of St. Joseph.

It is my understanding that the committee that supports preserving Anatok offered to make repairs to stabilize the building – notably, repairs to the chimneys that were once declared a danger by an insurance company. The committee was denied that opportunity. According to the Anatok committee members, they have been asked to stay off the property.

As stated by David H. Hall and Dixie Hibbs recently on my WBRT radio show “Brooks & Company,” the committee wishes to stabilize the building to stop further deterioration. I call upon Mr. Hamilton and the school board to view the Anatok committee’s efforts for what they are – efforts to preserve our Catholic heritage. Had similar efforts failed in the 1970s, we would not have historic Spalding Hall or Flaget Hall with us today.

Anatok deserves the same consideration, particularly given its historical significance to the African American Catholic community. Without the Sisters of Charity’s purchase of Anatok in the 1920s, our community would not have had the land it did for Bethlehem High School or Flaget Memorial Hospital. From my perspective, it is a heritage worthy of preservation.

Sincerely,

Jim Brooks

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