CLEVELAND — There’s new work underway at New Life at Calvary Church in Cleveland to help ensure the historic building stands strong and looks good for another century.
I was at the church on Monday morning, where crews are giving the sandstone exterior a deep cleaning using special chemicals and tools. More masonry repairs are on the way, including stone replacements where needed.
“We want to make sure that we do our part not just for this building but for the city of Cleveland,” said Pastor Kellie Sullivan. “Cleveland is a beautiful city, and we want to represent that by keeping our small area clean, presentable, and beautiful. We’re excited to add to Cleveland’s restoration.”
Around this time last year, I reported that the church was awarded a $175,000 matching grant through the National Fund for Sacred Places — a collaboration between the National Trust for Historic Preservation and Partners for Sacred Places.
The funding is helping the church continue long-planned preservation work, which became even more important after a tornado struck in the summer of 2023.
The restoration is expected to be complete in 2026, weather permitting.
"This is still a place for the Cleveland community," Sullivan said. "We still serve hot meals. We still give out food. We make sure that we're here for the least of these—those who are struggling in this community. And so, we want to be a place of hope, a beacon of light."
