For more than a century, the copper spires of St. Laurentius have stood tall over Philadelphia’s Fishtown. But the city’s oldest Polish church — founded in 1882 — could soon face the wrecking ball.

Former parishioners and other community activists are protesting the building’s destruction, and their effort is gaining momentum. On a recent day, dozens of Philadelphia residents who spent their whole lives going to St. Laurentius donned white T-shirts with “Save St. Laurentius” written in bold red letters. Hoping to grab the attention of city officials, they boarded a yellow school bus and headed to City Hall. MORE