St. Colman's Church in Cleveland has lost it's appeal to the Bishop to stay open as reported in this article from the local NBC television station. I've been following the congregation and the arts community reaction to St. Colman's closing. On so many levels, I feel this should have been one of the churches spared by Bishop Lennon.
Without a doubt, St. Colman's (above, photo from wkyc.com) is one of the grandest ethnic churches in the city of Cleveland. The exterior is massive and elegant. In a recent article from Cleveland.com, local architecture historian, Tim Barrett states ... "If you're not moved by it, I'm sorry, you better check into a hospital". And that's just the exterior! The interior is equally stunning. It represents the best of the best from that time period of community church construction.
Unfortunately, the Bishop of Cleveland was not moved by 3,300 hand written letters of appeal by the parishioners of St. Colman's.
In a non-related event this past week, a relative unknown -- an underdog if you will -- Susan Boyle went on national TV on "Britain's Got Talent and sang her heart. She was exceptional, much to the surprise of many in the audience, who at first glance deemed her a loser. She opened her mouth, and their jaws dropped. Her win has has become so symbolic to so many. In these rough times, it's important that the underdog win every so often. It says that HOPE is alive and well -- for all of us.
In a sign of hope and real faith, Bishop Lennon could have let another underdog win -- the parishioners, and the architectural admirers, of the very grand St. Colman's Church.
St. Colman's Church | 2027 W. 65th Street | Cleveland, OH 44102
Guess the Bishop better move into a hospital!
ReplyDeleteTim Barret is so knowledgeable... and I know he loves St.Colmans. It is magnificent.
I'm glad this decision was overturned, and just in the nick of time.
ReplyDeleteMy Latin Polyphonic Choir (from St. Philomena's) made recordings of Renaissance music for the Sunday morning Catholic radio program in this magnificent edifice, with its 7-second reverberation. All our music was a cappella, but the building was our accompaniment, and HOW!
We also recorded an LP nearby at the German gothic place, St. Stephen's. These are 2 of Cleveland's finest church buildings, by anyone's standard.
I played for Tim Barret's wedding at St. Stephen, even though I was living in Manhattan at the time.
Anyway, glad to see that hope is not competely lost, although many other dire things are taking place.
David Dunkle