By JACK PALMER

palmer@crescent-news.com

JUNCTION -- After authorizing two attempts late last year to remove stained-glass windows and other sacred items from the former St. Mary Catholic Church in Junction, the Diocese of Toledo appears to be taking a more conciliatory approach.

Diocesan attorney Tom Pletz of the Toledo firm of Shumaker, Loop and Kendrick, confirmed Friday that a pathway to save the historic building is possible.

"The diocese will look to interested parties to try to develop a plan to preserve the building with some creative reuse," said Pletz.

Key in the process is a committee, comprised both of area Catholics and non-Catholics, formed recently to explore ways to preserve the century-old church. Members are Lynn and Becky Keller, Shelly Shinners, Melinda Krick, Deedi Miller, Karen Schlatter, Janet Sholl, Sue Brown and Paulding attorney Joe Burkard.

"I grew up in the Junction area and lived there the first 30 years of my life," said Schlatter, a guidance counselor at Paulding High School. "That church is an area landmark. I am very hopeful it can be preserved."

"At this point it is not a church and never will be again," said Brown, former longtime St. Mary parish secretary. "Our focus is to preserve the building. We are encouraged that many people who didn't even attend church there are willing to help."

The present situation follows several months of negotiations between the respective attorneys, Burkard and Pletz. Those talks began late last year, after a motion for preliminary injunction accompanied a complaint for declaratory judgment was filed against the diocese by Burkard as attorney for Sholl, a member of the Junction parish since 1961.

Sholl's complaint alleged that the diocese and Bishop Leonard Blair "breached their fiduciary duty to members of St. Mary's parish" by attempting to remove fixtures and building components of the former church. A temporary order prohibiting the removal of windows, fixtures and building components was issued a few days later by Paulding County Common Pleas Court.

That order, however, was terminated July 30. According to the Paulding County Common Pleas clerk of courts office, a notice of dismissal of the lawsuit was filed that day by Burkard as Sholl's attorney.

"Our understanding is that the diocese would be willing to lease the church back to our committee once we have legally formed a non-profit group," said Sholl. "It might be called Auglaize Historical Society or Auglaize Heritage Society or something similar."

Pletz confirmed Sholl's general assessment, but added that the lawsuit was not dismissed based upon the condition that the diocese agree to lease the former church.

"I'm happy to help Joe Burkard begin to prepare incorporation not-for-profit incorporation papers for an Auglaize Historical Society or Auglaize Heritage Society and complete the 501(c)(3) IRS tax exemption application," said Pletz. "We're also asking that the group provide a simple business plan, in addition to those filings, so they can explain possibilities of the use."

Added Pletz: "We're going to look to the interested parties to take the lead -- and for them to do that in the immediate future."

When talks to settle the court case began late last year, they centered on the former church possibly becoming a branch location of the Paulding County Carnegie Library.

"We did some study, but the building was just not suitable," said library director Susan Pieper. "It would have taken a large amount of money to make it happen and our board decided we are not in a position to add any more branches at this time.

"But I'm anxious to see what happens to the Junction church," added Pieper. "It's a historic building that should be preserved."

"After the library said they weren't interested, we thought we were dead in the water," said Brown. "But Joe advised to put together a 'plan B.' We had a brainstorming session and decided to approach the Paulding County Historical Society."

A presentation was made to the county historical group on May 27 by Miller and Les Weidenhamer, both former Junction St. Mary members.

"They were sympathetic, but decided not to take us on," said Brown. "That's about the time we asked different people to serve on this committee."

Sholl said Burkard, at that point, began serious talks with Pletz about the new group leasing the building from the diocese.

"We are willing to move forward to incorporate and set up a 501(c)(3)," she stated. "Our major concern is not knowing whether we can trust them (the diocese). Now that the injunction is removed, there is nothing to stop them from coming back when no one's looking and remove the windows."

Despite that concern, Sholl said she is hopeful that the church can be saved.

"Hopefully the diocese will give us time to put together a plan for the future use and preservation of the church," said Sholl. "We would have to agree not to conduct services there and pay for all maintenance costs. Once we satisfy them (the diocese) that we will use the building responsibly, they would transfer ownership to our group."

"Our understanding is that their attorney recommended that we be allowed to do this once we make the legal filings and prepare a business plan," said Brown. "Hopefully the diocese goes along with it."

Brown acknowledged that the recent behind-the-scenes negotiations between Burkard and Pletz have eased last fall's hard feelings among former parishioners.

"If something can be worked out to save the church, it will certainly improve the diocese's image in this area among Catholics and non-Catholics alike," said Brown.