TOLEDO, Ohio (WTVG) – A major milestone in Toledo’s Junction neighborhood. It’s the official groundbreaking on the transformation of the former Saint Anthony church.
After nearly a decade of planning, the work to transform it into a community center begins now.
It was closed as a parish since 2005 and almost had a wrecking ball move through in 2017, but it’s still standing and people living there hope it stays that way.
Project developers say to picture the inside of the old church as Toledo’s newest community center, focusing on youth recreation.
That’s the future of the former Saint Anthony church on Nebraska Avenue at Junction. Getting there was a bit dicey as the Diocese of Toledo planned to demolish it in 2017.
“I am looking at Commissioner Gerken and he was at the original meeting we had with the Bishop of Toledo. I won’t go into all that. I might be excommunicated if I did,” said Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur.
“I started walking out of there and I go that Bishop Thomas, he’s a bit of a real estate gangster, isn’t he. That was the polite side,” said Lucas County Commissioner Pete Gerken.
The diocese eventually transferred the building to the Lucas County Land Bank. Leaders there have spent several years making moves to sure up the place structurally and find money for the long-term fixes.
A federal grant, plus city and county dollars, has now turned into $6 million for construction to begin and for the groundbreaking to happen.
“When it was said that the building was going to come down, it was our community that fought to make sure it stood,” said Alicia Smith of the Junction Coalition.
Smith and the Junction Coalition were pushing hard for recreation and more opportunities for kids in this community, a place where people living here feel like it has been neglected.
“A new history for our building and we welcome everyone,” said Smith.
“I’m happy with the idea, but I’m not happy with how they didn’t come talk to us and come get our input on it,” said Roshawn Jones of Soul City Boxing.
Members of Soul City Boxing briefly spoke at the Monday groundbreaking. Being within a couple of hundred years of this new center, they already do boxing. Ownership there is hopeful that there isn’t duplication of services they already offer and would like to open a dialogue on what this neighborhood could see.
“We’re asking to work with anybody, but if people are blocking us to work with people, then we can’t do nothing. We’re at a standstill,” said Jones. “We are happy to see the growth; finally, we can see other people want to put into the community after so many years.”
The city of Toledo will assume control of the place after that construction wraps up in the fall of next year. All kinds of recreation ideas are being kicked around, but the mayor says that whatever is chosen, the city will support the new building and its operation.
“Of course, we have the ability to do that, it’s just a question of priorities,” said Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz. “As a city, if we want to prioritize neighborhoods, if we want to prioritize kids, then you find a way to make it work.”
The painted glass and so much of the artwork that is all over the walls in this place will be staying as this transformation goes forward and when it is put back into operation.
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This article was published by WTVG on 2025-10-06 19:17:00
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