Background Information
Bob Kress, President of SGCPS expresses the sentiment of the group, “We don't understand why our proposals to restore the church have been rejected while similar arrangements in other dioceses are accepted and encouraged. The church is an irreplaceable structure, a beloved landmark that defines the skyline of Allentown and the surrounding neighborhoods. For over 100 years, the generous donations of time, talent and dollars by generations of parishioners of modest means were entrusted to construct and maintain this magnificent edifice. This beautiful church should not be cannibalized and discarded”.
Earlier, the Diocese proposed to demolish the church to salvage the stained glass windows for use in a new suburban church. That plan was deferred when a large group of parishioners objected and appealed the decision to close the church.
Before the parishioners were locked out of their church, the average attendance was 350 parishioners per weekend and the average offertory collection was about $5,000 per week. As a sacred edifice, a Catholic church structure does not have debt. Any financial obligations of the former St. John Vianney Parish were forgiven by the Diocese before the parish was dissolved.
The group of parishioners formed the non-profit 501(c)(3) SGCPS to raise funds to reopen and restore the church at no cost to the Diocese. The group has established a network of over 1400 individuals, businesses and organizations who share an interest in their mission. The group solicited donations, organized pledge drives and fund-raisers that were supported by over 500 people annually. These activities have produced a source of funds to operate the church and fund a significant part of the estimated restoration budget.
In recent years, parishioners have cleaned up around the church and prevented the weeds from overtaking the parking lot and sidewalks. At the same time, the Diocese has declined numerous offers by parishioners to perform other needed repairs at no cost.
The Allentown neighborhood welcomes the plans to restore this beloved historic landmark and light it up at night to provide the halo effect of a beacon to define the skyline. The church would be made available to the community for concerts, events and heritage tourism. Plans include a renovated space for the Food Bank, a gathering space for fellowship and community meetings and a safe and secure museum space to archive church, parishioner and community memorabilia.
The group has met with Bishop Zubik and Diocese representatives on numerous occasions to propose an arrangement to care for the church at no cost to them and these proposals were rejected.
The group was guided by a number of successful agreements in other dioceses, where non-profits provide for the care and restoration of Catholic churches. These other proposals provided the guidance to inform how SGCPS would assume complete responsibility and liability for the care and restoration of the church through a lease or ownership arrangement, all at no cost to the Diocese. Over 70 Catholic churches around the Country are supported by similar arrangements.
Please visit SGCPS.net and contact us for more details. |
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