One American diocese is having what sounds like the world’s biggest church garage sale: 

The scattering of sacred and religious artifacts from parishes closed by the Cleveland Catholic Diocese is under way.

The diocese’s online liquidator is advertising hundreds of items for sale: Baptismal fonts where generations of area Catholics entered the church. Ornate altars that priests stood behind as they consecrated the bread and wine. The gold-plated chalices from which communion was served countless times.

The objects are available only to Catholic parishes and other religious institutions, including hospitals, monasteries and schools, said diocese spokesman Robert Tayek.

“These items are not available to the public,” Tayek said.

All sales must be approved by the diocese chancellor.

Parishes neighboring those that have closed have the first option to buy the religious goods, which include crucifixes, statues of Mary, Joseph and other saints, and tabernacles.

The site listed 689 items Tuesday with an asking price of $939,101.25.

A Votteler Holtkamp Sparling Organ dating to 1927 and two other organs are the highest-priced pieces, listed at $25,000 each.

Another organ, which was built in 1947 and rebuilt in 1993 by Krejci and Sons in Avon Lake, is offered for $8,000.

The site listed 223 stained-glass windows, including one depicting Christ blessing the sick, which is among the highest priced at $7,500.

The price of a 12-foot tall dark-stained wooden crucifix in fair condition is set at $4,500.

The least expensive object: advent candle stands with a removable wreath for $5. 

Check out the link for more.   

And you can see the whole inventory at this link.  

Photo: one of the stained glass windows on sale