Historic south Phoenix church to be revived

PHOENIX (AP) - The Diocese of Phoenix has reached a deal with the city to restore a historic church as a place of worship.

The Rev. Paul Sullivan, pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, said in a statement Wednesday that the decades-old Sacred Heart Church will be restored.

The Arizona Republic reported last December that the city owns the church and the 35 acres (14.1 hectares) around it.

The city had been in exclusive talks with nonprofit Chicanos Por La Causa about development, causing some to worry about the building’s future.

Sullivan says Chicanos Por La Causa will work with the diocese to promote collaboration among various members of the community.

Sullivan says the goal is to make the church a place of “unity and pride.”