The following message was emailed to clergy and senior wardens on Friday, November 7th.

Clergy and Senior Wardens,

In the interest of transparency and to reinforce our commitment to safety and accountability in our faith communities, I am writing to share with you an update from Grace Episcopal Church in the College Hill neighborhood of Cincinnati. 

With a heavy heart and with the concurrence of the Standing Committee, I have temporarily suspended the operations at Grace Church effective today, November 7th. 

Since 2006, Grace Church has operated as a “mission” of the diocese, and the real property of Grace Church has been held in the name of the Church Foundation of the Diocese of Southern Ohio. In addition, Grace Church was designated as a “Congregation at Risk” by my predecessor in June 2019, and is therefore subject to Section 19 of Canon XVI of the Canons of the Diocese of Southern Ohio. As a Congregation at Risk, Grace Church is subject to additional intervention and oversight by me and the diocesan office at my direction. 

In September 2025, my staff and I learned of an alleged sexual assault that occurred inside of the Grace Episcopal Church building in April 2025. Both the alleged victim and the alleged assailant were minors and no church personnel or members were a party to the alleged incident. After an investigation by the diocesan office, I was troubled to learn that the leadership was aware of the alleged incident and had not reported it to the diocesan office for many months. The investigation also revealed failure to follow Safe Church and standard diocesan policies in the operation of Grace Church.

I have directed the Church Foundation as owner of the real property to secure and manage the buildings and grounds of Grace Episcopal during the suspension of operations and to conclude the current use and occupancy of the facilities during the suspension. 

Our canon for congregations, the Rev. Canon Meredith Day Hearn and her team will be in conversation with the worshipping community at Grace Church to determine next steps and discernment for the future. My staff is also providing resources to identify opportunities for worship during the suspension and access to counseling and spiritual care. 

This critical action was not an easy decision, nor a simple one, and my decision is not a reflection of the good faith and commitment of the Grace Episcopal congregation. Please know that I am holding Grace Episcopal in my prayers daily, and that my staff and I are committed to supporting the members and leadership of Grace Church in this difficult time.

Yours in Christ,

The Rt. Rev. Kristin Uffelman White
Bishop
Diocese of Southern Ohio