In 1998, a new church edifice opened to the public on the West Side of Cleveland, Ohio. The name of the new church is " La Sagrada Familia", translated means "Holy Family." This new church is the result of the merging of two smaller churches within the Hispanic community, San Juan Bautista and Cristo Rey. These two church bodies became one, to better serve the Hispanic community as a whole. Unfortunately, in the process of bringing these two entities together, much of the original spirit of the two individual churches was not carried over into the new church "family".
San Juan Bautista was a place that was well known by many in the Hispanic community. Outside of the Cleveland area, when one identified oneself as coming from Cleveland, the first question posed was "Are you a member of San Juan Bautista?" This church had a solid and respectable reputation within the Hispanic community. It was a church that was alive with the sense of "family." It was difficult to be a part of San Juan Bautista and not be known by those who attended the church on a regular basis. People here cared for each other deeply. No one was left to fend for himself if they belonged to this congregation. At San Juan Bautista, people where greeted with love and acceptance. You were made to feel as having always been part of this "family." Groups within the church cooperated with each other, helped each other out and encouraged each other. There was a real spirit of unity and oneness at San Juan Bautista. During times of special events at the church, everyone turned out to help and participate in whatever way they could.
San Juan Bautista had a youth group that was alive and active, a group that was making a difference in the community. When retreats where conducted by the youth group, there would be crowds of 500+ youth in attendance. Young people came from all over to participate at these church sponsored events.
Probably Gaudi's greatest work was that of the "Sagrada Familia". ... Casa Milo was also named "La Pendreva" also known as the Hornets nest. Gaudi was fatally injured when he was on his way to the bell tower of the "Sagrada Familla". ... This delay eventually cost him his life, he died 5 days later and was buried in the crypt of the "Sagrada Familia" and given a magnificent funeral which was sanctioned by the pope. ...
