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©2001 The Blade.                                  Toledo Blade Article published April 29, 2003
 

Lathrop hearing canceled; talks continue


A hearing scheduled for today in Lucas County Common Pleas Court on the Lathrop House controversy has been canceled after attorneys for Sylvania and the Catholic Diocese of Toledo agreed to continue negotiations.

A hearing on Sylvania’s request for a permanent injunction to enjoin St. Joseph Catholic Church from demolishing or altering the historic Lathrop house at 5372 South Main St. was scheduled before Judge Ronald Bowman.

However, the hearing was canceled after attorneys for the two sides met with Judge Bowman yesterday.

John Hayward, an attorney who represents the diocese, said they agreed to spend the next 45 days focusing on the remaining issues on which they have not been able to resolve.

John McHugh, an attorney for Sylvania, and Mr. Hayward are to provide Judge Bowman with a report on the progress of the discussions in 25 days. If a resolution is not reached, a hearing on Sylvania council’s attempts to take the property through eminent domain will be held Aug. 25 before Judge Bowman.

St. Joseph’s bought the house and 3.7 acres in October, 2001, for the planned expansion of the parish campus. The church obtained a permit to raze the house more than a year ago. However, Sylvania recently rescinded the permit.

The house was the home of the community’s early leaders and reportedly a way station for fugitive slaves from the South.

The agreement reached yesterday allows for workers hired by the city to go into the house to perform maintenance and repair work. The church also agreed that it would not damage, alter, or demolish the 1830s-era house.