Demolition of a historic church building in St. Paul's Como Park neighborhood could be finished before the end of the week.
Officials with the Twin Cities Immersion School, which owns the building, said more prep work is necessary at the site on Monday.
A number of volunteers tried to block the demolition through the courts, an effort that stretched out for more than a year.
Crews over the weekend removed religious items on the outside of the former Saint Andrew's catholic church, include a pair of busts and decorative artwork above the three front doors.
Also expected to be removed and preserved is the building's cornerstone, marked with the year 1927.
The German Immersion School bought the decommissioned church several years ago and are tearing it down to build a multi-use facility.
"The problem now is we're in a time crunch," said Andy Nesset, the school's facilities manager. "It's so late in the summer and I'm facing having kids here at the end of August. We're trying to get as much done and the building down before then."
School officials say they considered a number of alternatives before deciding on taking down the building.
Retired priest John Forliti, who lives across the street from the church, was heavily involved with efforts to save the building from demolition.
"I am ready to move on, let the healing begin," said John Forliti, who led his first mass at St. Andrew's. "Our neighborhood is too prescious for anything else."