When the Cleveland diocese announced its 2008 reconfiguration plan, many Catholics around the city were dismayed. Thirty parishes, including historic St. Peter’s in downtown Cleveland, were mandated to permanently close. So on April 4, 2010, the late Fr. Bob Marrone presided over the parish’s final Liturgy, ending with a dramatic closing of the sanctuary doors. It was Easter Sunday. 

For the next four months, members of St. Peter parish gathered together in a meeting room at Cleveland State University– praying, singing, and strengthening their commitment to remain in community despite their shocking new circumstances. On August 15, 2010, the group moved from their upper room to a building down the road– a refurbished warehouse that would become their new worship space. 

Now, 15 years and two pastors later, the Community of St. Peter is the only independent and inclusive Eucharistic community in the Catholic tradition in the city of Cleveland. With roughly 250 total members and about 100 at each Sunday Liturgy, the Community works to strike a balance between faithfulness to the Catholic tradition and freedom to blossom from that tradition in new and creative ways. 

“It’s a balancing act,” says Martha Ligas, Pastoral Minister for the Community. “Where is it imperative that we remain faithful to our tradition, and where are we being invited to renew the tradition? For example, we draw our weekly readings from the same lectionary as all Roman Catholic parishes, but we welcome all to the Eucharistic Table. We believe in the seven sacraments of the Catholic tradition, but also believe that they should be available to all persons without exception. We use the Roman Catholic rite, but our current pastor is ordained UCC, not Roman Catholic. Through open communication and steady dialogue, we are constantly processing together where to preserve and where to renew. While this isn’t always a smooth process, it’s always a fruitful one, as it allows space for everyone’s voice to be heard in the process.” 

Participating in Liturgy at the Community of St. Peter feels very similar to Catholic parishes– though simple in style, the sanctuary holds a baptismal font, a Tabernacle, and an Altar table. Folks sit in the round, and stand up and sit down at all the typical times one would expect in the Catholic Mass. But there are some differences, too. Given the Community was created before the changes to the Roman missal, congregational responses include phrases like “and also with you,” as opposed to the now widely accepted “and with your spirit.” The pastor and presider of the Community is married with children, and the female pastoral minister preaches twice a month. They also offer a gluten free and alcohol free option during Communion. Despite its adherence to many Catholic traditions, it is clear that liberties have been taken to adopt a more contemporary– and more inclusive– Liturgical experience.  

So who’s attracted to a place like the Community of St. Peter? “It’s a mixed demographic,” says Martha. “While from the outside it may look like a homogenous group, folks come from a wide variety of theological backgrounds. I would say maybe half are members who have remained in the Community since it was created in 2010, a quarter are dissatisfied or disenfranchised Catholics who are attracted to the inclusive nature of our Liturgy, and the other quarter are Christians or seekers from no denomination at all that are attracted to the ways we function as a community. It’s constantly evolving, and we continue to be fed by the perspectives of new members who find sanctuary or solace in our space.” 

In addition to a focus on the liturgical experience, the Community of St. Peter is actively engaged in education programs, the arts, and social justice initiatives. With recent speakers such as Mark Massa, SJ of Boston College and Jeannine Hill-Fletcher of Fordham University, yearly retreats, and participation in advocacy events such as Pride in the CLE, the Community deeply values education, spiritual engagement, and advocacy. 

So what’s next for the Community of St. Peter? “That’s a tough one,” Martha says. “In a community such as this– one that sits on the boundary between what was and what could be– all we can do is continue to listen to where the Spirit is guiding us. And,” she added, “to not be afraid to follow Her lead!”

Interested in learning more about the Community of St. Peter? Their liturgies are live-streamed on their YouTube page every Sunday at 11:00am ET.

Do you know of or belong to a community that you would like to see highlighted? Reach out to Martha at martha@futurechurch.org.