Defaming a Sacred Place

or mosque would now be used as an eatery and brewery. Sadly, the City of Lakewood

has determined that my closed church -- St. Gregory's Byzantine Catholic Church can

now be used by developers for just that purpose.

When I first heard this notion, I wasted no time in writing my councilperson in

Lakewood as well as writing a letter to the Sun Post -- our suburban newspaper re

my feelings on the subject. Here is what I wrote:

To the Editor:

I am appalled that a place which so many of us have used for sacred purposes is

being considered for an eatery and brewery. Those officials who think it is a great

idea should consider if it were the church where their parents were married and

buried from- if this would be all right. They should also consider that this was the

place where they and their siblings were baptized, confirmed, received their first

Holy Communion and some were married in this sacred place. Would converting

it into an eatery and brewery be all right?

Not for this former parishioner. I believe it should be designated as an historical

building in a historical place -- Bird Town. I am disappointed in the Parma Eparchy

for letting us down and they didn't even consider using the church as a mission church-

having liturgy at least once a month for those of us who were still attending and

supporting the church as best we could.

For so many years the faithful kept up the parish- working weekly at Bingo. When

the Bishop and priests needed us, we were there. Now when we needed them, they

abandoned us. Will the City do the same?

(No response from Councilperson Madigan who represents our district).

A LITTLE HISTORY OF BIRDTOWN

This small 7-street tract took shape in the early 20th century when people from

eastern Europe -- principally Slovaks emigrated to Ohio from which was then

part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Some settled on the outskirts of Cleveland

in the suburb of Lakewood. Many of them would find employment in the then

National Carbon Company which bought this tract of land so that their employees

could build their homes close by.

It was called "Birdtown" because most of the streets were named after birds: Robin,

Lark, Plover, Thrush, and Quail. (The other street names were Halsted and Magee).

I was born on Robin and our Byzantine Catholic Church was built on Quail, and as

customary with Byzantine churches, the altar would face the East.

Such a tiny little tract- but I was so pleased that it was designated as a historical

place during the tenure of Mayor Madeline Cain who was mayor from 1996 to 2003.

I wish that she were still mayor today. I feel sure she would in no way support the

plans to convert St. Gregory's into an eatery and brewery. In my opinion, this doesn't

bode well for the historical designation of Birdtown either.

This business venture reminds me of when Jesus chased out the money changers and

animal trafficers in the temple. Would He approve of making this sacred place where

he was reserved sacramentally in the tabernacle on the altar for over 100 years? St.

Gregory's opened its doors on July 30, 1906.

WHAT CAN WE DO?

Even though there were over 200 signatures opposing this plan, the Mayor and

Council ignored the wishes of the people of Birdtown and people like me and gave

its approval to the plan.

Someone said we should demonstrate. I wish I had that gift in me. Barring that,

I wish that someone else may look for support and rally us around this concept.

While I do not know how to organize a demonstration, I certainly would want to

participate in one.

In the meantime, I have two letters to write -- one to the Byzantine Metropolitan

in Pittsburgh and one to the Holy Father. Right -- a lot of good that will do. Well,

surprisingly, one enterprising lady in the Cleveland area who objected to the closing

of her church by Bishop Leonard a couple years back -wrote the Holy Father who I

believe was Benedict XVI at the time, and he reversed Bishop Leonard's decision.

I don't know how her letter managed to be read because I am sure he gets a huge

number of them every day. It is a mystery to me. However, all I can do is try and pray.

I will always regret if I hadn't tried. Sadly, there are too many people who do nothing.