By Carla Thomas

Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Oakland will hold a special prayer service followed by a fundraising walk on Sept. 14 at 11:30 a.m., as parishioners work to raise awareness about the uncertain future of their historic parish.

Following the 10 a.m. mass, participants plan to circle the block along Lakeshore Avenue several times in a show of unity, concern, and faith. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Oakland, which filed for bankruptcy earlier this year in response to several hundred claims of past sexual abuse by church members, may sell a number of parish properties to help satisfy settlements. Our Lady of Lourdes, located at the eastern end of Lake Merritt, is among the churches at risk. Should the property be sold, the multicultural congregation, largely comprised of people of color, would be dispersed, and the iconic building could face demolition or redevelopment into commercial or residential space, according to church members.

For parishioners, this possibility represents not only the loss of their spiritual home but also the potential erasure of a neighborhood landmark. The church’s architecture and location near the historic pergola make it a familiar sight to Oakland residents and visitors. An historical plaque on the adjacent Parish Hall states the building hosted the first known catholic mass in the East Bay, held in 1772 by a Franciscan priest of the Portolá Expedition during the Spanish exploration.

The congregation, which only last year marked its 100th anniversary, hopes the upcoming prayer walk will amplify their plea to diocesan leaders to reconsider the sale of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church.

For many, saving the church means preserving not only a place of worship but also an important piece of Oakland history.

On March 17, the Diocese of Oakland filed its Third Amended Plan of Reorganization, to provide compensation for survivors of child sexual abuse, and reorganizing the diocese to enable it to continue serving the East Bay. The diocese potentially plans to create a settlement trust of nearly $200 million in preparation to compensate over 350 claims of abuse.

According to the diocese’s website, properties deemed non-essential or underutilized are determined by their legal, real estate, and financial advisors and any sale of property is ultimately approved by the Diocese of Oakland Bishop.

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