In the late 1800s, Eastern European immigrants settled in Cleveland, attracted by jobs in steel mills and factories. The area thrived with industry, commerce, and strong churches. Czech immigrants who endured harsh factory conditions, low wages and cultural stigma built a grand church as a symbol of faith and dreams for a better future. OLOL’s historic 1891 church building is a testament to the perseverance of immigrant communities across generations. Lead architect Emile Ulrich designed OLOL early in his career, and he later achieved acclaim for the 1926 Our Lady of Victory Basilica and Shrine in Lackawanna, New York. OLOL features an extravagant marble exterior and a massive copper dome, which was second in size only to the U.S. Capitol at the time. Unfortunately, factory closures and suburban migration in the mid-1900s led to significant demographic shifts, poverty, crime, and neglect. By 2007, Broadway-Slavic Village had the highest foreclosure rate in the country, earning it the label of the “epicenter of the financial crisis.”

Stable pastoral leadership since 2009 has reconfigured the parish, established a sustainable financial base, prioritized repairs to the buildings, and reinvigorated community programming. OLOL remains a steadfast presence, and its legacy of hope continues as young Latin American immigrant families come to OLOL with the same aspirations for opportunity and belonging as the parish’s Czech founders. OLOL continues to play a crucial role in rebuilding the community by providing vital programs, including a weekly food pantry, emergency aid, advocacy, and bilingual services. The annual International Food and Culture Festival celebrates Cleveland’s rich diversity and creates a sense of belonging for recent immigrants alongside a multicultural community that includes descendants of the church’s founders.

A National Fund grant of $175,000, combined with $175,000 in matching funds raised by the congregation, will enable OLOL to repair years of damage to the church’s masonry caused by pollution and the harsh Cleveland winters.

Photo by Carol Kovach