YOUNGSTOWN The Catholic Diocese of Youngstown has set a date next week to break ground on its planned archives center; a new building designed to store and preserve historical documents. The release comes ahead of a groundbreaking ceremony scheduled for Sept. 15.

A groundbreaking ceremony is planned on Monday for the All Saints Diocesan Archives Center on the property of the former Saints Cyril and Methodius Church in downtown Youngstown. A two-story, 4,900-square-foot facility will be built adjacent to the church. The new structure will provide climate-controlled storage for records, as well as a public reading room and office space for archives staff.

The former Saints Cyril and Methodius Church building will be repurposed to serve as an exhibit and public programming space. The project will also include expanded green space on the property.

Bishop David J. Bonnar has supported the archive project for the diocese since 2022. The new building will incorporate energy-efficient upgrades and repurposed woodwork from the former rectory.

The diocese has been working on the project for approximately two years. The new facility is intended to provide protection and systematic organization for records as required by church law.