A Sign Of The Times?

The Church of St. Stephen (or St. Stephen's Church, as it is also known) was built between 1889-1891.    It's a beautiful building.  I wonder what prompted its placement, or why people would be sitting on the steps.  The St. Stephen's parish was admonished by the Archbishop a few years ago for it's 'liberal' ways--adapting the approved litergy (such as including an environmental poem), allowing the laity, such as a "female minister" to have a stronger role in the mass.

Photo:  Jo Ann Musumeci