Cathedral

Around 1898, plans were formulated to organize St. John's Byzantine Catholic Church. The first pastor was Rev. Peter Keselak. The first services were held at St. Joseph's Chapel, East 23rd Street and Woodland Avenue. Later, the small congregation rented a hall on East 22nd and Woodland. However, the congregation grew so it became obvious a church of their very own was neccessary. On August 31, 1901, a church building and a parish house were purchased on the corner of East 22nd Street and Scoville Avenue in Cleveland. This property was used until 1913 when it became apparent a larger church would have to be built to accomodate the still-growing congregation. 
In 1914 St. John's purchased 50 acres of land on Broadview Road for picnic grounds known as St. John's Grove. St. John's sponsored a parochial school. However, the school was closed to make room for a diocesan high school which unfortunately closed in the early 1970s. 

In April of 1969 the Holy Father established the Eparchy of Parma and St. John's was designated as the cathedral parish of the new Byzantine Catholic eparchy.

Changing circumstances once again prompted St. John's to relocated. On November 6, 1969, the new St. John's church was dedicated in Parma by Bishop Emil J. Mihalik. In the early 1970s work began on an icon screen to give cathedral stature to the parish church. Christine Dochwat was commissioned to write the icons. On June 21, 1971, at a Liturgy of Thanksgiving celebrated by Bishop Emil Mihalik, the parish observed the burning of its mortgage, and the new icon screen was blessed. 

In 1983 the cathedral interior went through complete renovation. As of 2009, the facilities of the cathedral consisted of the church edifice, chancery offices, catechetical classrooms and upstairs hall and the former gymnasium where social activities are held. The cathedral complex also housed the Bishop Emil J. Mihalik Byzantine Catholic Cultural Center and the Carpatho-Rusyn Heritage Museum.

In 2024, Most Reverend Bishop Robert Pipta, announced the relocation of the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist from its location at the corner of Broadview and Snow Roads to the Church of Holy Spirit at 5500 West 54th Street in Parma, Ohio. This decision, made after extensive consultation with the Presbyteral Council, College of Consultors, clergy, and laity, has received the backing of the Holy See of Rome’s Dicastery for Eastern Churches.Following listening sessions in Munster, Indiana, Parma, Cleveland, and Clinton Township, Michigan, a final Hierarchical Divine Liturgy was celebrated on October 6, 2024, with numbers in attendance that filled the nave of the cathedral and clergy in attendance that filled the sanctuary. This very solemn occasion was followed by a reception at Holy Spirit Party Center.

Bishop Pipta has now, by decrees, moved our eparchial Cathedral to Holy Spirit Church in Parma, which is renamed the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist. The former cathedral is also relegated to non-sacred use.

On Saturday, August 17, 2024 Bishop Robert released a statement and video message regarding the move of the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist at the corner of Broadview and Snow Roads in Parma, Ohio to the Church of Holy Spirit located at 5500 West 54th Street in Parma, Ohio.

Full Statement

DECREE - Deconsecration and Relegation to Profane Use

It was suggested to Bishop Robert Pipta that the transfer of the Cathedral from its current location to what is currently known as Holy Spirit Church in Parma be accompanied by “town-hall” listening sessions for our lay faithful.  These have been scheduled.  Below you’ll find the schedule.  While the locations in each region certainly don’t make easy the travel of all our faithful (no live-streaming is planned for these), please keep in mind that Bishop Robert's parish visits have provided opportunities to have similar meetings with the parish faithful.  A far-flung Eparchy like ours requires so much to happen at the parish level.  In November, Bishop Robert hopes to begin his next round of visits based on a system of half the communities in one Church year and the other half in the next, and so on.  These visits may be a bit more formal than previous and can afford the opportunity for parish-level “town-halls.”
While clergy may also be in attendance, these town-hall meetings are meant to be sessions for Bishop Robert to hear from and listen to the lay-faithful.  We kindly ask that questions and comments be limited to 3 minutes. Ed Kiss, Eparchial Finance Officer, will also be present in case any questions arise related to finances. Bishop Robert envisions these sessions in the church immediately following a liturgical service.  

Saturday, 28 September 2024; St. Nicholas Church in Munster, Indiana
Great Vespers at 4 PM followed by listening session with Bishop Robert

Monday, 30 September 2024; Holy Spirit in Parma, Ohio
Great Vespers at 5 PM; Divine Liturgy at 6 PM followed by listening session with Bishop Robert

Tuesday, 1 October 2024; Dormition Church in Cleveland, Ohio
Festal Matins at 7:30 AM; Divine Liturgy at 8:20 AM followed by listening session with Bishop Robert

Tuesday, 1 October 2024; St. Nicholas Church in Clinton Township, Michigan
Divine Liturgy at 6 PM followed by listening session with Bishop Robert

Following listening sessions in Munster, Parma, Cleveland, and Clinton Township, a final Hierarchical Divine Liturgy was celebrated on October 6, 2024 with numbers in attendance that filled the nave of the cathedral and clergy in attendance that filled the sanctuary. This very solemn occasion was followed by a reception at Holy Spirit Party Center.  

Bishop Robert Pipta has now, by decrees, moved our eparchial Cathedral to Holy Spirit Church in Parma which is renamed the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist.  The former cathedral is also relegated to non-sacred use.

The Eparchy is grateful for your prayers, guidance, and support during this process. 

• Parma Cathedral on TV News - FOX 8 - Cleveland - Nov. 11, 2024

• Parma’s Cathedral of St. John the Baptist relocates; future of church and land uncertain - Cleveland.com - Nov. 11, 2024