SHPA Series: Space for Place

January 25, 2006

http://www.cleveland.com/religion/index.ssf/2010/01/clevelands_landmarks_commissio.html

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Cleveland's Landmarks Commission is recommending that six more Catholic churches be designated as historical city landmarks, which would give them some protection against demolition or structural changes.

The Cleveland Catholic Diocese, which has been closing churches in an ongoing downsizing plan, opposes the designations that City Council will now consider adopting through legislation.

In letters sent to the commission and copied to council members sponsoring the designations, the diocese called the proposals "extremely offensive."

"We do not seek nor do we approve of landmark designation ..." said the letter written by diocese finance officer John Maimone.

Councilman Anthony Brancatelli, who is sponsoring five of the six designations, responded: "I find it a tad unusual that the diocese would be taking my actions as 'extremely offensive.' "

"These are absolutely beautiful churches architecturally. Whether they like it or not, this is the step we have to take. We're going to hear it in council and we're going to pass it."

Diocese spokesman Robert Tayek said, "The diocese has no response to make regarding this matter at this time."

The six structures are St. Adalbert, on East 83rd Street, Immaculate Heart of Mary on Lansing Avenue, Sacred Heart of Jesus on Krakow Avenue, St. Lawrence on East 80th Street, St. Hyacinth on Francis Avenue and St. John Nepomucene on Independence Road.

Gus Chan, The PDKim MacMaster, music director of St. James Parish, practices the bagpipes before choir rehearsal in September. The Lakewood City Council passed legislation protecting the interior and exterior of landmark structures.They would be added to a list of 31 Catholic churches already designated by council as landmarks.

The designations come at a time when the diocese is in the process of closing 50 churches, mostly in inner-city neighborhoods. The downsizing is in response to a shortage of priests and dwindling congregations.

The diocese has closed more than 30 churches so far and has begun removing and storing sacred artifacts. Some of the structures are for sale, according to real estate Web sites, but the diocese does not publicly disclose its plans for the properties.

Tayek, however, has said that some structures, if too deteriorated, could be torn down. The diocese demolished St. Andrew's on Superior Avenue at East 51st Street last February.

Of the six churches recommended as landmarks, four of them -- St. Adalbert, Sacred Heart of Jesus, St. Lawrence and St. Hyacinth -- have been either closed or ordered closed.

As landmarks, it could make it difficult for the diocese to sell the empty buildings because the restrictions placed on them by the historical designation might narrow the number of possible buyers.

A landmark structure cannot be demolished or structurally reconfigured without permission from the Landmarks Commission. In the case of churches, that includes removing stained glass windows, said Brancatelli.

"It requires them to be very overt and public about anything they do to a landmark building," he said.

Councilwoman Mamie Mitchell is sponsoring legislation to landmark St. Adalbert, a 99-year-old structure that traces its roots to Cleveland's first black Catholic congregation.

"It's vital to this community, it's significant to people of color," she said. "I will stand up and fight for St. Adalbert as a historical landmark."

Meanwhile, Lakewood City Council last month adopted legislation aimed at protecting St. James Catholic Church from the wrecking ball after it closes in June.

The new law sets up a process to protect both the interior and exterior of the church. Landmark laws protecting interiors of churches are rare and could draw a legal battle over private-property rights.

"It's a little unusual," said Mayor Ed FitzGerald. "It's an additional layer of protection. We made sure in the legislation that the diocese or any other owner of the property will have due process. I feel confident."

Similar legislation has been introduced in Cleveland City Council, but seems to have little support.

"With interiors it gets a little dicey," said Brancatelli. "It opens up a gray area."

Reader Comments-

Posted by seded

January 25, 2010, 9:35AM

Yes lets save all the old buildings. Who going to mantain these while they slowley fall down? I love this line"It's vital to this community, it's significant to people of color" Oh boy I can see the hair flying if was said. " Its important to white people. Can you see them marching "No justice no peace" Signs, Al Sharp Jesse Jackson the whole nine yards.

Posted by moresteps

January 25, 2010, 9:55AM

seded,

i think that you are missing the point. this is not a black/white issue. this is an issue of heritage.

there have been comments about the importance of churches to irish, polish, hungarian peoples. and no hair flew.

Posted by seded

January 25, 2010, 10:15AM

If the people supported the church, they would not have closed it! The time to support the treasured buildings has passed. How many closed unmaintained buildings do we have to look at? Is cleveland a museum the city that was?

Posted by robo9595

January 25, 2010, 9:55AM

We have a church designated as a historical monument on West 117th and Lake Rd. It has been empty for decades and is an incredible eye sore to what is otherwise a beautiful neighborhood. I think that these are very nice chuches, but I don't want city officials to create more eye sores.

Posted by citizenX

January 25, 2010, 10:03AM

I am grateful that Councilman Brancatelli shows a conscience and stands up to the Diocese here--this is not about Catholics and non-Catholic history as other commenters have posted-this is OUR HISTORY. And the pillage going on is comparable to the desecration committed by the Nazis in WWII--Councilmembers, please do not engage in some secret meetings to sell off these treasures for your thirty pieces of silver as one of your members did for St. Andrew by preventing landmark designation. See photos of St. Andrew here--it was the only NEO church in the Benedictine Order: http://realneo.us/content/wheres-god

Posted by metropark1

January 25, 2010, 10:09AM

In a world with double digit unemployment, threats of terror attacks, broken families, homelessness and one environmental crisis after another (earthquake, flooding, fires) coupled with 50 million aborted babies and counting, Churches are closing instead of remaining open and helping people in need. Because from where I sit, I have not seen the need diminish, but increase. Pray for America.

Posted by northcostguy

January 25, 2010, 10:22AM

What right does the city have to shove this designation down the diocese's throat? The property owner has the right do what he wants to with his property. Granted, it has to be safe and follow zoning laws, but if the city wants to control the property it needs to purchase it at fair market value. I agree with the diocese (I don't say that very often), this is extremely offensive. The same thing is hapening in the "historic" district in Berea. The methodist church there wants to tear down a house IT OWNS to expand the church, but neighbors won't allow it. Completely ridiculous.

Posted by rpuck1

January 25, 2010, 4:53PM

what about the closed school?

are you saving them.....lol...

omalley at least you call the church for a comment this time....

who is going to pay for all the broken stain glass?

the landmark commision?

dumb

stupid city can even keep cops on the street and this is what council is doing....

Posted by mcath

January 25, 2010, 9:32PM

I applaud Cleveland's Landmarks Commission. Bishop Lennon cares nothing about this city. He is damaging our ethnic communities, displacing elderly parishioners and turning people away from the Catholic Church. Of course he is offended. He is only interested monetary profit and making himself look effective to the church hierarchy.

I