Congressman Kucinich 111th

Washington, Sep 15, 2009 -

Cleveland, OH (September 15, 2009) – Congressman DennisKucinich (D-OH) today released a September 09 letter to Cleveland Mayor FrankJackson requesting that the city examine using the process of eminent domain topreserve historic churches and community centers that face closure and possibledemolition.

The full text of the letter follows:

September 09, 2009

 The Honorable Frank Jackson

Mayor of Cleveland

601 Lakeside Avenue East

Cleveland, Ohio 44114-1027

Dear Mayor Jackson:

Congratulations on your great showing in yesterday’s primary election.  I look forward to continuing to work with you in the best interest of the people of Cleveland.

It was good seeing on Labor Day and discussing the very serious matter of church closings.  I appreciate your understanding of the importance of the historical preservation of our urban churches and of their significance in the social and cultural life of our community.

The deeds of title to the churches belong to the Diocese of Cleveland, but the rich cultural, ethnic, and religious history belong to the people of Cleveland.  The churches are a monument to the heroic efforts of past generations who came from around the globe and built churches with their hands and hearts.  Churches now slated for closure and possible demolition have been gathering places for immigrants seeking both religious and political freedom.

These churches, including Annunciation, Blessed Sacrament, Conversion of St. Paul, Corpus Christi, Epiphany, Our Lady of Mercy, Sacred Heart of Jesus, St. Adalbert, St., Barbara, St. Casimir, St. Cecilia, St. Emeric, St. Francis, St. George, St. Hyacinth, St. Lawrence, St. Patrick, St. Peter, St. Procop, St. Rose of Lima, St. Wendelin, SS. Philip and James, and other churches in the Cleveland area, have served the people of Cleveland, some for more than a century.  Although many people have moved out of the city, the churches still serve as a focal point for social, cultural and ethnic celebrations.  If preserved, the churches will serve as neighborhood anchors to attract people interested in moving back into the city. 

Many of these churches also serve as international centers.  The nationality groups which founded many of the churches of Cleveland retain close ties with their countries of ethnic origin.  Historically and currently, Cleveland is an important international city.  The churches of Cleveland continue to serve as focal points for maintaining and renewing our relationship with our global neighbors in our city’s ever-increasing need for trade and our nation’s constant quest for peace.

As I mentioned in our discussion, I believe that this is a perfect opportunity for the city to use eminent domain for the purpose of historic preservation of these churches.  The City of Cleveland could then lease back to those groups committed to continuing the social and cultural activities so important to the vitality of Cleveland’s neighborhoods.  

I sincerely appreciate your willingness to look at all options for preserving the religious institutions which are now threatened.  In the final analysis, it is the history of our city that is threatened.  At stake are the important cultural landmarks that identify our city.  We should not yield in our efforts to preserve our social, cultural and historic traditions.  

I am hopeful that we can fully explore all means of saving the churches, and in doing so preserving the people’s historic places of assembly.  I look forward to exploring all options for preserving the historic, cultural, ethnic, and religious institutions which are now threatened.  As a follow-up, I have asked my Senior Counsel, Marty Gelfand, to work closely with you on the matter of historic preservation of these important institutions.  He and I can be reached at 216-228-8850.  Thank you for your support of the people’s historic religious places.

Sincerely,

Dennis J. Kucinich

Member of Congress