St. Joseph's Church and Friary

St. Joseph's Church and Friary was a historic church at 2543 E. 23rd Street at Woodland in Cleveland, Ohio. It was designed by architects Cudell & Richardson, built in 1873, and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.[1]

St. Joseph's Church and Friary
Formerly listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Location	2543 E. 23rd St. at Woodland, Cleveland, Ohio
Coordinates	41°29′35″N 81°40′22″W
Area	1 acre (0.40 ha)
Built	1873
Architect	Cudell & Richardson
Architectural style	Gothic
NRHP reference No.	76001403[1]
Significant dates
Added to NRHP	June 17, 1976
Removed from NRHP	January 31, 1995

The congregation dwindled due to the construction of nearby interstate highways, and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Cleveland closed the church in 1986. It was later deconsecrated.[2] The friary and school suffered moderate damage on January 25, 1993, after a fire set by homeless people who sought shelter in the building got out of control. A second, much more severe fire (whether set by homeless individuals or vandals was unclear) occurred inside the church itself on February 15, 1993.[3] A third fire on February 19, 1993, destroyed the remainder of the structure. The church was demolished on February 20.[4]

Prior to the fires, the stained glass windows, artwork, and most of the other useful items at St. Joseph's Church and Friary had been removed and given to other Catholic Churches for use.[5]

References

1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
2. "St. Joseph's Church". The Encyclopedia of Cleveland History. May 13, 1998. Retrieved May 1, 2015.
3. Kissling, Catherine L. (February 16, 1993). "A Landmark Destroyed". The Plain Dealer. p. 1B.
4. O'Malley, Michael (February 21, 1993). "Church's Last Visitors Find Relics Amid Ashes". The Plain Dealer. p. 12B.
5. Holland, Darrell (March 13, 1993). "Relics of Ruined Church Now In Use Elsewhere". The Plain Dealer. p. 9D.