Design Review Board approves relocation of Adelphi stone parish house; conditions require local landmark protections

The Design Review Board voted Dec. 10 to approve the relocation of the historic Adelphi stone parish house from 19 Washington Street to a site beside Bethesda Church, contingent on the building being made subject to the same restrictions and regulations as local landmarks under the city's UDO after relocation.

Rick Whistler, junior warden for Bethesda Episcopal Church, described the parish house’s historical role and said the church plans to use the building for outreach and community programs. Project architects and engineers (Spring Line Design, Wolf Builders) presented technical details showing how the masonry structure would be stabilized, lifted and moved across Washington Street and how stone would be carefully dismantled and reset at the new foundation. The project team supplied precedent projects and a stamped foundation design.

Board members raised procedural concerns about whether the receiving parcel sits inside an Architectural or Historic District. Preservation advocates said city council can add the parcel to a district or the owner could request landmark designation; the applicant offered to make the building subject to historic‑district standards or pursue voluntary local landmark designation. The board incorporated that commitment into a condition: after relocation the building will be designated as a local landmark (or otherwise made subject to the same local landmark restrictions under the city's UDO).

The board found that the move would preserve the stone building, restore streetscape continuity and allow the structure to be reused for Bethesda’s community programs. The motion passed after a second and discussion of the condition wording.