The City of Toledo, Ohio, has drawn the wrath of the Diocese of Toledo for trying to block the demolition of two permanently closed churches by having them declared historic landmarks.
WTOL reports notices have been placed outside Sacred Heart and Good Shepherd churches declaring that the Toledo City Council intends to consider designating the buildings as historic landmarks. Sacred Heart was established in 1883 and the current structure was completed in 1906; the church closed in 2024. Good Shepherd was established in 1873 and the current structure was completed in 1901; the church was closed in 2015.
Councilman Adam Martinez said the proposed designations were part of an initiative to preserve historically significant buildings across Toledo. He added the churches transcend private property because of their value in the lives of multiple generations of Toledo residents.
“You’ve had baptisms, quinceañeras, weddings,” he said. “There’s a lot of family legacy and value at these buildings.”
However, the Diocese of Toledo said it was not informed of the city’s plans and vowed to take legal action if the city declares the properties as historic landmarks.
“Before making any final determination regarding these former churches, the Diocese and respective parishes carried out a lengthy and comprehensive due diligence process, including multiple town hall meetings and engagement with parish membership, leadership, and other stakeholders, along with engineering studies that revealed, in the case of the former church of Sacred Heart, severe structural damage,” said the Diocese in a statement, adding that it was “repurposing sacred art and objects and relocating the stained-glass windows to other churches.”
The Diocese added that its “First Amendment religious freedom rights” were being violated by the City’s actions, adding that any lawsuit connected to the matter will “almost certainly would cost the City considerable taxpayer funds in legal fees. The Diocese hopes that reason will prevail and that the City Plan Commission will decline to proceed with an action that interferes with the private disposition of Church property.”
Photo of Good Shepherd Church via Facebook
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