St. Adalbert's Church - Cleveland, OH

St. Adalbert's Church is probably the most under-rated piece of church architecture in Cleveland. Dedicated in 1912, at a cost of $60,000 (approx. $1,500,000. today) it is the quintessential neighborhood church ... humanly-scaled with interesting style. Defined as modified-romanesque, St. Adalbert's is best appreciated in person. 

Designed by my favorite church architect, William P. Ginther, St. Adalbert's twin-sister can be seen at St. Joseph's Church in Ashtabula, OH.  Apparently, Mr. Ginther, a very prolific church architect from Akron, OH, would re-use a design ... but never more than two times.

St. Adalbert's is scheduled to close in 2010. My hope is that another congregation will take over this gem.

St. Adalbert's Church | 2347 East 83rd Street | Cleveland, OH 44104

The Taxman Cometh

Churches are exempt from paying property taxes until they are no longer used as churches.

Thus is the conundrum facing the Cleveland Catholic Diocese, and being discussed by Cleveland writer Michael Gill, in an excellent article in the most current issue of Scene Magazine. 

The fear is that the Diocese -- in a mad rush -- will be forced to tear down many churches in order to lower the tax burden on each property. Why? ... Because the taxes will be lower on a "land only" versus "land and building" property. 

One of my favorite Cleveland Churches -- by one of my favorite local architects (William P. Ginther) -- is in real danger of the wrecking ball ... St. Adalbert's Church on East 83rd. (facade detail from the Scene Magazine article shown above). More on this very unique church by William Ginther in an upcoming post.

St. Adalbert's Church | 2347 East 83rd Street | Cleveland, OH 44104