North Olmsted
Ohio
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Mission :
We, the Community of St. Clarence, guided by the Holy Spirit, and inspired by Word and Sacrament, embrace the mission of Jesus Christ to comfort the sick and to heal the brokenhearted, to teach love of God and neighbor, to reconcile the alienated, to serve the poor and to witness God's Good News to all, especially the least of our brothers and sisters. We claim as our charism the virtue of hospitality, and we name ourselves as a welcoming community in the Name of the Lord Jesus.
History :
A growing population west of St. Richard Parish and north of St. Mary of the Falls prompted establishment of the Church of St. Clarence. Bishop James A. Hickey named the new parish in memory of his predecessor, Bishop Clarence Issenmann. Reverend Thomas A. Flynn was appointed founding pastor in June 1978.
For the first three years, Mass was celebrated at Chestnut School in a community effort of "set-up and take-down."
A parish center was constructed and ready for use in 1981. Again, community involvement was essential; Mass was offered in the center, but the facility was also used for a variety of other functions, such as the Parish School of Religion, parish meetings, socials, offices, and the Galilee bookstore.
Father Flynn, Father Allan R. Laubenthal - then president-rector of St. Mary Seminary and weekend associate at St. Clarence - deacons and parish representatives broke ground for construction of a new church in April 1989. The Mass of dedication was celebrated on April 25, 1990.
St. Clarence Church, a fan-shaped modern structure, contains semicircular seating for 850. Faceted glass windows provide a backdrop for the large altar area. The flowing water baptistry and choir share the front on either side of the altar. Entry to the church is from a skylight-illuminated atrium which houses an indoor garden. The foyer also has entrances to St. Kevin's Chapel, the Gathering Room with kitchen and meeting facilities, an outdoor patio for socializing, and the parish activity center.
An outdoor pavilion, which seats 600, was opened on July 25, 1993. A full stage, kitchen facilities, outdoor grill and wall-size fireplace provide social opportunities. A grotto to St. Joseph faces the entrance.
In September of 1997, nine additional classrooms, an administrative center, and a freestanding building housing the Galilee Bookstore and Coffee Shop were added to the parish complex. The lower floor of this building is home to the Terrace Room, a meeting hall with capacity for 250 persons with kitchen and restroom facilities. The Terrace Room has its own courtyard.
In 25 short years, The Church of St. Clarence has grown from 350 families to over 1500 households. The Lord's blessing hovers over this beautiful assembly of structures, but the testimony of its parish spirit lies within the deep lively faith of its people.
The Church of St. Clarence
Mission :
We, the Community of St. Clarence, guided by the Holy Spirit, and inspired by Word and Sacrament, embrace the mission of Jesus Christ to comfort the sick and to heal the brokenhearted, to teach love of God and neighbor, to reconcile the alienated, to serve the poor and to witness God's Good News to all, especially the least of our brothers and sisters. We claim as our charism the virtue of hospitality, and we name ourselves as a welcoming community in the Name of the Lord Jesus.
History :
A growing population west of St. Richard Parish and north of St. Mary of the Falls prompted establishment of the Church of St. Clarence. Bishop James A. Hickey named the new parish in memory of his predecessor, Bishop Clarence Issenmann. Reverend Thomas A. Flynn was appointed founding pastor in June 1978.
For the first three years, Mass was celebrated at Chestnut School in a community effort of "set-up and take-down."
A parish center was constructed and ready for use in 1981. Again, community involvement was essential; Mass was offered in the center, but the facility was also used for a variety of other functions, such as the Parish School of Religion, parish meetings, socials, offices, and the Galilee bookstore.
Father Flynn, Father Allan R. Laubenthal - then president-rector of St. Mary Seminary and weekend associate at St. Clarence - deacons and parish representatives broke ground for construction of a new church in April 1989. The Mass of dedication was celebrated on April 25, 1990.
St. Clarence Church, a fan-shaped modern structure, contains semicircular seating for 850. Faceted glass windows provide a backdrop for the large altar area. The flowing water baptistry and choir share the front on either side of the altar. Entry to the church is from a skylight-illuminated atrium which houses an indoor garden. The foyer also has entrances to St. Kevin's Chapel, the Gathering Room with kitchen and meeting facilities, an outdoor patio for socializing, and the parish activity center.
An outdoor pavilion, which seats 600, was opened on July 25, 1993. A full stage, kitchen facilities, outdoor grill and wall-size fireplace provide social opportunities. A grotto to St. Joseph faces the entrance.
In September of 1997, nine additional classrooms, an administrative center, and a freestanding building housing the Galilee Bookstore and Coffee Shop were added to the parish complex. The lower floor of this building is home to the Terrace Room, a meeting hall with capacity for 250 persons with kitchen and restroom facilities. The Terrace Room has its own courtyard.
In 25 short years, The Church of St. Clarence has grown from 350 families to over 1500 households. The Lord's blessing hovers over this beautiful assembly of structures, but the testimony of its parish spirit lies within the deep lively faith of its people.