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Church in the City Partnership Program

In 2000, the Cleveland Restoration Society and the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland created The Church in the City Partnership Program to assist identified groups of Catholic churches in crisis due to a variety of issues, including poor building conditions, insufficient funding, and dwindling congregations.

In 1996, Bishop Anthony M. Pilla initiated a new vision for Cleveland's Catholic Diocese called The Church in the City.  The focus of this initiative is creating partnerships between parishes, schools, and secular service organizations to create new cities where people of different incomes, races, and cultures can live and be enriched together. Unlike other urban Dioceses around the country, Bishop Pilla did not order the merger and closing of parishes. Realizing that historic churches help us recall the values that bring depth an meaning to our lives, he allowed individual parishes to decide their own future. The Society has partnered with the Diocese to help these parishes preserve their history as it is embodied in their churches, schools, and rectories.

In his address at the opening convocation of the 2002 National Preservation Conference in Cleveland, Bishop Pilla recognized the vital contributions of our sacred landmarks to our heritage and the challenges associated with preserving them. He stated, "Within neighborhoods struggling with diminished populations and fewer resources, our churches, temples, and mosques have stood out as symbols of enduring presence and lasting values, as places of great beauty and reverence, as centers of service and support to the people of the surrounding community.

If you are interested in learning more about The Church in the City Partnership Program, contact Michael Fleenor at (216) 426-3109.