Епархия Толедо угрожает судом из-за попытки города объявить бывшие церкви историческими памятниками

Епархия Толедо предупредила город о намерении подать в суд, если власти утвердят статус исторических памятников для двух бывших церквей, заявив, что не запрашивали эту процедуру. В то время как местные жители хвалят архитектурную ценность зданий, епархия настаивает на их структурных повреждениях и утверждает, что решение о судьбе имущества находится исключительно в ведении церкви.

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Toledo Diocese threatens legal action over landmark designation for former churches TOLEDO, Ohio (WTVG) - The Diocese of Toledo is threatening legal action if the city moves forward with giving two of its former churches historic landmark designations. In a statement, the diocese said it was “surprised” to see signs about a city Plan Commission hearing for the former Sacred Heart and Good Shepherd buildings. The diocese said it never asked for that designation and doesn’t want it. City resolution The city of Toledo initiated the process by passing a resolution last week. The resolution was brought forward by council member Theresa Gadus. According to the city, the resolution directs the Toledo City Plan Commission to hold a hearing and make a recommendation. The proposal will then return to City Council, which has final approval of the designation. Good Shepherd Catholic Church is located at 550 Clark Street. Sacred Heart is located at 509 Oswald Street. Neighbors react Keith Lenz lives near Good Shepherd Catholic Church. “It is unique, very unique,” Lenz said. “It’s a beautiful building, especially inside. I mean, the artwork in there is just gorgeous.” Matt Oneail lives near Sacred Heart. “But even as just a building standing there, I believe that it symbolizes something,” Oneail said. The Diocese of Toledo says there is severe structural damage at Sacred Heart. “There’s definitely no one on this block who will tell you that demolishing that is a good idea,” Oneail said. According to both applications for local landmark designation review, there is support for designating the churches as local landmarks because of their historic significance in the city of Toledo’s architectural, cultural and historical history. “It’d be a good asset to the city,” Lenz said. Diocese’s statement The diocese said signs announcing the Sept. 10 meeting were posted at the former churches without its knowledge. As the owner of the buildings, the diocese said, it “was not consulted or informed of this action” and “neither requested nor desires that designation.” The diocese said it and the respective parishes went through a “lengthy and comprehensive due diligence process” before making a final decision on the former churches, including town hall meetings and engagement with parish members, leadership and other stakeholders. Engineering studies found “severe structural damage” at the former Sacred Heart church, according to the diocese. Sacred art, objects and stained-glass windows have since been relocated to other churches. The diocese called the city’s renewed involvement in decisions about the properties “a mistake” that “falls outside the City’s purview and authority,” since the buildings are governed by church law. The diocese said it will “pursue all available legal remedies” to protect its First Amendment religious freedom rights if the city moves forward with the designation, adding that doing so “almost certainly would cost the City considerable taxpayer funds in legal fees.” The diocese said it hopes the City Plan Commission will decline to proceed with an action that interferes with the private disposition of church property at its meeting Sept. 10. Latest Local News | First Alert Weather | Crime | National | 13abc Originals Copyright 2026 WTVG. All rights reserved.