CLEVELAND (WJW) — Cleveland’s oldest Black Baptist church was awarded funding to help keep their doors open.
Shiloh Baptist Church located on Scovill and East 55th Street was in danger of relocating due to costly repairs needed to the stained glass domed ceiling in addition to other parts of the building.
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“We found that our dome was the major problem, that it was beginning to deflect glass and it presented a major safety hazard that we would not be able to inhabit the sanctuary,” said pastor Lisa Goods.
For 175 years, the church has been a community institution, Goods said. Despite ongoing issues to the building, including plaster repairs needed and tape on some of the stained glass windows the church congregation refused to leave the community served.
“We have had a commitment to this community,” she said. “This is where our roots are but it is also the most impoverished community, not only in Cleveland, but Central is in the 95 percentile in this nation.”