Cathedral of Junk May Be Junked

Austin is about to become a little less weird. After spending nearly 22 years towering in Vince Hanneman’s South Austin lawn, the cultural landmark Cathedral of Junk is in danger of getting dismantled due to code violations. After a complaint was filed with the city, Austin sent code compliance officers out to investigate the famed Cathedral and found the structure of scrap metal and old electronics in violation of various codes. According to Cathedral of Junk creator Vince Hanneman, the city has given him until March 31st (an extension from the original deadline of March 25th) to bring the structure up to Austin city standards or risk them “turning off the electricity and bulldoz(ing).”

With the deadline looming, Hanneman is appealing to the masses: help or risk the Cathedral getting, well, junked. “(Its survival) depends on how many people come and volunteer with me,” says Hanneman. Besides being a part of Austin’s cultural landscape (and a quintessential roadside attraction), the Cathedral has also served as host to parties, plays and weddings, among other things.

Volunteer efforts to save the structure are being coordinated by Elizabeth Lay, the director of Fernando and the Cathedral, a play that was set to be staged at the Cathedral of Junk in April. Plans for the play have been scrapped, but Lay, along with the play’s writer Kyle John Schmitt, has refocused the play’s efforts towards saving the cultural landmark. “We’ve transformed the play into a crew to (help) save the Cathedral,” explains Lay. The duo has also launched a webpage and a Facebook group to help get the word out. Volunteer crews will be at the Cathedral site from now until the March 31st deadline helping dismantle, reassemble and haul the junk in violation.

For more information or to volunteer, email Lay at 2savethejunk(AT)gmail(DOT)com.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@austinist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Katie Friel in News on March 24, 2010 9:10 AM 0 Comments

Comments [rss]

skitzfiggitous

Some people see sculptures and ponds and statues in someone private back yard, others see a pile of shit on a lawn. So I guess we won't be seeing you at the Save The Junk events, then?

kingkirbythegreatoftexas

Thetodd and thatwoman are morons.

wattage

I demand a recount for the City of Austin Representative position. Clearly there was voter fraud and many of our votes were suppressed by the pro-pileofshitinmyyard lobby.

thatwoman

I'll bet they are one of those d-bag types that's trying to make Austin "normal." Particularly someone who is not from here originally and/or just doesn't "get it."

Yeah, after TheTodd punches you in the mouth, I'd like to give you a good swift kick in the groin!

toddal

I'd just like to say thanks very much to whatever Jackass felt self righteous enough to call in a complaint on this Austin landmark. Apparently they "didn't feel safe" inside the structure. So...what, that gives you the right to call the city and complain?? You've got to be kidding me.

Hey dude, I hope you are reading this. I, as a representative of most of Austin, would like to tell you that you are an idiot of the highest order and you should really think about someone other than yourself before you go meddling in other peoples affairs. Oh, that...and I'd also like to punch you in the mouth.