Church Closings

[Mike Deneen]

I'm sure many of you saw the front page story in the PD today about widespread Catholic church closings that will occur in the area. Lakewood's six parish cluster was specifically mentioned.

Regardless of your religious views, this is certainly a sad thing.
I certainly understand the reasons for this (population shift, declining attendance, etc), but it will be very heartbreaking for thousands of people that are devoted to their specific parishes. Many people have multigenerational ties to a specific church.

If I understood the article correctly, two or three of Lakewood's Catholic churches may close.

[Gary Rice]

I've also heard unsubstantiated talk that some additional Protestant churches may be merging or closing before long, as well.

As some people may be aware, there have already been several changes with existing buildings and congregations in the Lakewood worship community to date.

As has been said so many times before, and in so many different ways, the one certainty in this world seems to be "change"...

The irony to me is that it was in those very churches that so many of us were taught "Kumbayah".....

[Mark Crnolatas]

At Warren and Alger, the church that is there recently changed owners, and the new owners are 2 separate religions that are sharing it.

As we have been calling churches around the area for one we just "feel" right about, we've found what seems to be nearly consistent. Drops in attendance.

The decline of attendance isn't only in the last few years, it's been happening for quite awhile. It appears as each "generation" emerges to make their own mind up to belong or not belong to an organized religion, the overall numbers seem to decline.

I'm not playing a numbers game, nor can I quote websites on church attendance. I'm going on my own observation and conversations.

Church isn't for everyone of course. I myself have not been a church goer for a long time. Ethics, honesty, and compassion though, are basics that should dominate humanity.

It's unfortunate that one source of those teachings is drying up, and being replaced by "Do unto others then split".

Mark Allan Crnolatas

[Kenneth Warren]

Thus far Lakewood has been fortunate with re-use of the Christian Science Church. Add also a Northcoast Baptist Congregation (if I am not mistaken in the precise name) for the old Church of Yahweh in Birdtown, and more recently Lakewood Chapel to the church at 2150 Warren Road.

Beyond the loss of sacred space to a neighborhood and a people’s sense of local tradition, these closed churches, with schools and other buildings on site, can easily become regional spaces for under-funded and under-staffed programs for homeless, drug re-hab and disabled clients.
These are the hot potatoes in the economic development chessboard, elements often in play, sometimes under the radar screen, but wholly worthy of attention.

Weak regional commitments to getting resources required to serve these special needs clients can quickly stress the city budget for social services along with a neighborhood’s sense of safety and security.

There is, for example, a PEP program, with a regional client base, at Saint James that in its mainstreaming efforts placed an increased demand on staffing for library services. We developed a program and strategy, and we are fortunate to have the resources from state funding to do so. But the fact remains an increased staff commitment is often required to meet special needs clients.

A proper political and responsible heat needs to be applied to Roman Catholic Church officials as they consider the range of re-use for these properties, along with any regional agencies looking to set up shop and leverage bargain-priced Lakewood ammenities.

Placements of regional caseload on sites that served a purpose of cohesiveness and moral development for a residential neighborhood will require adequate levels of financial and professional resources. That rarely seems to be the case.

As the church seeks to raise cash for the use or disposition of surplus properties, people of influence and power will need to apply political pressure to give clear indication of what city can reasonably bear with regard to the regional caseload of the needy.

Kenneth Warren

[john crino]

This would be a good time for the city and the diocese to meet and discuss the possibilities for the future use of the properties.
I think there would be many businesses out there who would love to have an architectural gem like a church to showcase as their company headquarters.
Maybe an architectural firm or design firm looking to relocate?
The city could offer some property tax relief for a year or two. It would be no sacrifice since the churches paid no property tax previous.
Maybe the city could partner with HGTV and offer one on a show to convert to living or work space.
Let's really try to be forward thinking in this city instead of being excited about the next dollar store moving in.

[Shawn Juris]

I agree John. Dimit architecture worked on a church conversion project in Cleveland Hts near Cedar Hill that was amazing. I'm hesitant to get too excited about the Catholic Diocese turning over a property to private investment though.

[john crino]

I agree John. Dimit architecture worked on a church conversion project in Cleveland Hts near Cedar Hill that was amazing. I'm hesitant to get too excited about the Catholic Diocese turning over a property to private investment though.

I am not sure how the de-comissioning of achurch or whatever they do works, but what can they do with the proprtty besides sell it.
It is the real world after all, which is why they have to close the churches in the first place.
Don't want to sound overly oppurtunistic, and it is sad that this is anothewr sign of the declining pop of the inner suburbs, but we must carry on

[Shawn Juris]

I have been hoping for this over the past few months (I won't say praying for it, that's just wrong somehow). I think that using them for something else is a great idea. I anticipate that the diocese will consider social service related functions though over selling for creative development to private entities. I'm preparing myself for another low income senior citizen apartment or section 8 building or something that will rule out the opportunity making Lakewood attractive to those with an income greater than their social security check.
The city has done well with new construction/renovation over the past few years, let's hope they can continue the trend.

[Jeff Endress]

The Church Brew Works in Pittsburgh....A detination spot.

http://www.churchbrew.com/

Talk about a change in uses. But, what a place!

Jeff

[Dee Martinez]

with all due respect can we allow the diocese to complete the process of deciding which churches will close before we begin carving up the remains?

no offense, but this is a little offensive. While the closings are probably a good idea, this will not be a joyful time or topic for Lakewood Catholics like myself and to reduce it to another "Up With Lakewood" discussion is IMO totally inappropriate, at least at this stage of the game. Thanks.

[Shawn Juris]

With all due respect, Dee. Do you believe that a merger at least of some parishes in Lakewood is warranted?

[Dee Martinez]

With all due respect, Dee. Do you believe that a merger at least of some parishes in Lakewood is warranted?

Sadly and resignedly,yes.
There probably is no other way.
The closing of a church or merging of a parish, even if the long term result is positive is nonetheless almost always a sad time. These are the spiritual homes of people, in many cases have been for generations.

[Paul Schrimpf]

I have been chosen to serve as a representative of SS Cyril & Methodius as part of the discussions about our "cluster" of churches. The cluster, termed Suburban West, includes St. Rose, St. Clement, St. Luke, St. James, SS. Cyril and Methodius, and St. Hedwig.

We have been asked as parishes to assemble groups that will then gather as one large cluster group to sort out and discuss the issues and make the best decision about where to go moving forward. We have been assured by the diocese that there is no predetermined direction to take, but we have been told that there will need to be a reduction in the number of operating parishes.

We have at least 18 months of meetings and work ahead of us, so this is absolutley NOT the time for the diocese to be approached about property use, as this will not impact any decision that will be made. This will be a difficult and painful task, but one we have been told we must do, and frankly, they are right -- the numbers bear that out. For those so inclined, I'm sure I speak for everyone involved that your prayers would be appreciated.

[Colleen Wing]

Thank you for your comments Dee. I couldn't agree more.

This is emotional for me as well and this discussion made my stomach sink.

I would prefer we have an Applebee's at the corner of Bunts and Detroit..not Bunts and Clifton.

Members of these churches have been working tirelessly to solve the obvious financial situations in our churches. Maybe the Bishop should consider reducing our assessments? I have never heard this mentioned in any of the discussions. Has anyone else?

[Dee Martinez]

Mr. Juris/Cirino/Endress

I feel bad about snapping.
If I try a flawed but generally accurate analogy would it help you understand?
Closing a church is like putting a parent in a nursing home. Yes, its all for the best, there are no alternatives, but its an extremely painful thing.
Imagine if you then had to deal, not with relatives, but with neighbors asking "so who are you going to sell the house to?"

Thank you to Mr. Schrimpf for the insight and may blessings be with you in the tough and thankless task ahead.