Stop Work Order Issued at St. Anthony Catholic Church

The city of Toledo issued a stop work order at St. Anthony Catholic Church at Nebraska and Junction avenues because the demolition permit is not approved. The city building inspections department does not have documentation that water and sewer caps have been performed.

The contractor applied for a certificate of zoning compliance to erect a six-foot fence in December, 2017, but has not signed for the permit. The fence in place currently is out-of-compliance.

Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz, former Toledo mayors Paula Hicks-Hudson and Carty Finkbeiner, members of Toledo City Council, and Lucas County Land Bank President David Mann Saturday called on the Catholic Diocese of Toledo to save the church.

Since February, Congresswoman Kaptur and her staff have made repeated attempts to work with the diocese to evaluate the building and consider alternatives to demolition.

The Lucas County Land Bank is also trying to save the building.

“The Land Bank reached out to the Diocese in February to discuss the future of St. Anthony Church, but we were told by the Diocese that they were unwilling to meet,” said Mr. Mann, president and chief executive officer of the Land Bank. “The Land Bank welcomes the chance to have that meeting before this historic asset is demolished.”