PARISH FINDS NEW HOME IN RESPONSE TO BISHOP’S CHALLENGE

June 5, 2008—Toledo, Ohio—After being without a permanent sanctuary for four years, Continental St. John the Baptist has constructed a new church. Spurred by the deterioration of the former church, as well as by a challenge from Bishop Leonard P. Blair, the parish raised $1.5 million to complete the enormous project.

Father Robert Kill, pastor of St. John the Baptist, explained, “In 2006, the bishop told us we either raise the rest [of the money needed to replace the church] or the place is going to close.”

By 2006, the parish had raised $750,000, and after a little push from the bishop, the other half of the money was raised through a campaign called “One Faith… Many Blessings.”

“You may call it a little bit of tough love,” said Bishop Blair, “but it worked.”

The new building houses a sanctuary with space for up to 400 worshippers, classrooms, and offices, and it was filled to capacity on May 16 as Bishop Blair presided over the dedication mass.

Denny Potts Sr., a long-time member of the St. John the Baptist, expressed fears that the new church would ever be built, and that the parish would close.

“The people came through,” says Fr. Kill. “I’m just overjoyed that the response of the parish was so positive.”

For more information, contact the Office of Communications for the Diocese at 419-244-6711 or Father Robert Kill  at 419-488-2391.

Michael Hohenbrink contributed to this release.

The Diocese of Toledo, established April 15, 1910 encompasses 8222 square miles in a mixture of urban and rural areas that spans 19 counties across Northwest Ohio, serving 306,000 Catholics. The diocese includes Allen, Crawford, Defiance, Erie, Fulton, Hancock, Henry, Huron, Lucas, Ottawa, Paulding, Putnam, Richland, Sandusky, Seneca, Van Wert, Williams, Wood and Wyandot counties.

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