St. Stephen's in Cleveland, Ohio

A reader writes in to tell us about a beautiful church in Cleveland, Ohio which is now offering the usus antiquior every Sunday at 9:30am, and on Wednesdays at 6:30pm. The church is St. Stephen's, located at 1930 West 54th St. in Cleveland.

I am told the church was built by German immigrants in the late 1860's and finished in 1873. The interior is all original and it retains many antique liturgical items.

Apparently the altar, pulpit and other sanctuary woodwork were carved from white oak in Munich, Germany and sent to Cleveland for use at St. Stephen's. Before they arrived in Cleveland, the work won first place at the Chicago World's Fair in 1893.

Unfortunately, the church is also in danger of being closed by the diocese in the next year or so. An architectural gem such as this should be protected.