Code,127020
Speaker,"Michael Tevesz, Director of CSU's Center for Sacred Landmarks"
Date,11/1/2011
Interviewer,James Lanese and Kenneth Valore
Abstract,"This interview was conducted at Cleveland State University with Michael Tevesz, founder and former director for the Sacred Landmarks project. The first part of the interview traces the beginnings of the project when it began in the mid 1980s.  Different aspects of the project is discussed along with the published works documenting Cleveland and Lorain area sites. There was an exhibition held at Cleveland State University featuring sites between 1830 and 1990 by photographer T. Lewis. There was also a course created in the Urban Studies department featuring the buildings and congregations. There are tours on Sundays to view churches and styles. It should be noted there is a masters thesis in every congregation. The rest of the interview focuses on architecture and areas of research interest. There is also discussion of the nature of the congregations and changing demographics. The final closing remarks includes talk about the current initiatives and the work that needs to continue."
Tags,comma-separated
Special Notes,recording space expired and restarted with a new card to complete the interview
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0,"Introductions: Michael Tevesz, Retired Professor, CSU"
1,The Center for Sacred Landmarks began in the mid 1980's as a study/research group
2,Aspects of sacred landmarks
3,"Books: Levy authored first book about African American faith communities in Cleveland; Fleegle wrote of midieval art , a higher contemplation; Hofman, architect for sacred space and monograph series literature for Celveland area."
4,
5,About 20 publications are completed and a partnership with Lorain CC to document Lorain area sites.(C. Piiper).
6,Armstrong wrote the KSU Press Guide as a SL report with photos and description.
7,
8,"1990 exhibition ar CSU featured sites between 1830 and 1990 by T. Lewis, photographer."
9,Course was also created in the Urban Studies department (taught by V. Benson) sheding light on buildings and congregations.
10,Touring on Sundaysto view churches and styles.
11,Tiffany windows stories abound
12,
13,
14,There is a masters thesis in every congregation!
15,"The original site selections came from interests of the staff--focused upon buildings the wer older, historic architecture, art contents, windows, etc."
16,
17,"Storefront churches are another fertile avenue for the future: Buildings, contents, congrgational history."
18,Italy provides much preservation insights
19,
20,
21,Story of Caperoli Missal exhibition in Cleveland and Perugia.
22,Preservation importance in Italy
23,
24,
25,Perugia exhibit cancelled due to funding troubles
26,St. James architecture and art was influenced by a Scicilian church (Monreali).
27,
28,Other observations regarding styles and structure influenced by European churches.
29,
30,St Rocco also is an example of influenced by church in Italy and featuring local saints.
31,
32,St Ann style is unique due to materials available to the pastor; Cleveland shows some mixture of styles with its churches.
33,
34,St Ann is also example of Pasotr and Bishop disputing as is St Stanislaus--point to importance of congregational histories.
35,
36,
37,Parishioners role in church construction and development is interesting. Hands on participation in the past; now its all financial.
38,
39,"Ultimately, a contribution to the bishop."
40,Jewish temple to protestant church i.e. Liberty Hill Baptist on Euclid Ave.
41,
42,Buildings are recycled until they are no longer useful.
43,
44,Catholic model with advantage/disadvantage
45,Models of changing demographics; ethnic influence within congregations
46,Ethnic segregation or integration has influenced growth.
47,"Tremont--Pilgrim Congrgational, Zion Church of Christ; Methodist to Hispanic Evangelical;; St George Cyrian"
48,Tremont diversity
49,Early days saw several ethnic groups with their own churches
50,These stories are similar to other cities in the Greeat Lakes region and NYC
51,Cleveland is prime example of ethnic misture
52,
53,"African American churches: adaptive re-use; Simon manuscript is due to publish literature concerning redundant churches used for restaurants, discos, etc."
54,
55,
56,
57,Issues concerning re-use regarding purposeful original construction.
58,
59,Notingham Spirk Center is example of alternate use acknowledging origins.
60,
61,Maintenance is crucial to preservation; i.e. W 117/ Lake Christian Science building is deteriorating
62,The dilemna of continued maintainance is also illustrated by Cleveland Coast Guard Station (Architect Dyer also designed churches).
64,Park Synagogue: Mendolson
65,"Attraction of each site is architect, pastor, windows; site and people; St Stanislaus is his favorite."
66,
67,Story of Fairmont Temple
68,ERa of 50's leave the past behind; yesterday's trash is today's treasure.
69,Center's current initiative: role was unique including other agencies; many deliverables; much worthwhile work to continue.
70,
71,
72,Closings