Cleveland suburb moves to preserve church facing closure

LAKEWOOD, Ohio (AP) — Leaders in an Ohio suburb say they have a plan to make sure nothing happens to an ornate church if the Cleveland Catholic diocese goes ahead with plans to close the parish.

Their proposed ordinance could lead to a battle over private property rights and separation of church and state.

St. James Church in Lakewood is one of 52 parishes slated to be eliminated by next year through mergers and closings.

Lakewood City Council is moving to make a law that would stop the diocese or any future owner from tearing down the church or gutting its ornate interior.

A diocese spokesman says church leaders are trying to decide how to work with the city about the proposed ordinance.