Future of Manitowoc Hope House uncertain due to lease

Hope House, a homeless shelter for families, could find itself without a home.

The shelter moved to the rectory of St. Boniface Church in 2010 and expanded in March to the adjacent unused church building in downtown Manitowoc.

Hope House and St. Francis of Assisi Parish, owner of the property, agreed to a 10-year lease for the church. But Hope House recently received a termination of lease notice, which requires the shelter to vacate the church by Jan. 31, 2016.

“It was really unanticipated. We had no reason to believe it was going to happen,” Hope House Director Erin Schultz said. “I was shocked. I was upset.”

Schultz said she believes grievances filed with the parish and Diocese of Green Bay about the church’s new use prompted the lease termination.

continue at htrnews

Hmm

Background

HTR profiles parish merger and sale in Manitowoc

Letter: Save St. Boniface Church for Catholic services

And some great photos of St Boniface when the hosted the Latin Mass a few years ago.  If any readers want to share the background I'd love to get a better understanding.