St. Joseph's Church And Friary
The congregation dwindled due to the construction of nearby interstate highways, and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Cleveland closed the church in 1986. It was later deconsecrated. The friary and school suffered moderate damage on January 25, 1993, after a fire set by homeless people who sought shelter in the building got out of control. A second, much more severe fire (whether set by homeless individuals or vandals was unclear) occurred inside the church itself on February 15, 1993. A third fire on February 19, 1993, destroyed the remainder of the structure. The church was demolished on February 20.
Prior to the fires, the stained glass windows, artwork, and most of the other useful items at St. Joseph's Church and Friary had been removed and given to other Catholic Churches for use.
References
- ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
- ^ "St. Joseph's Church". The Encyclopedia of Cleveland History. May 13, 1998. Retrieved May 1, 2015.
- ^ Kissling, Catherine L. (February 16, 1993). "A Landmark Destroyed". The Plain Dealer. p. 1B.
- ^ O'Malley, Michael (February 21, 1993). "Church's Last Visitors Find Relics Amid Ashes". The Plain Dealer. p. 12B.
- ^ Holland, Darrell (March 13, 1993). "Relics of Ruined Church Now In Use Elsewhere". The Plain Dealer. p. 9D.