Lakewood, Ohio: Sanctuary Museum

Louis McClung's collection of restored religious figures from closed Catholic churches in the area, displayed in one of those empty churches. Formerly known as the Museum of Divine Statues.

Museums artifacts are accompanied by a QR code that tells about the item. Not a very big place, but so much to see. 12-4 Saturday, restricted hours, so be sure they are open before driving a long distance.

Located in the former St. Hedwig Church in the Birdtown neighborhood of Lakewood. After closing in the early 2000s, the church was converted to a museum in 2011. It preserves the wonders of the Catholic faith through religious art and artifacts, refurbished by owner and artisan Lou McClung. All are available for up-close viewing. Stained glass windows pull in rays of light, illuminating Joan of Arc in battle armor, Saint Lucy (who carries her eyes on a plate), and the bleeding, arrow-filled chest of Saint Sebastian.

The museum's centerpiece is a statue of the 13th-century martyr Saint Nepomucene.

The Museum of Divine Statues has opened, in a former church just west of Cleveland. It's the brainstorm of Lou McClung, a professional make-up artist with his own line of cosmetics. Lou reportedly saw how many Catholic churches were closing in the region and decided to use his professional skills to restore the churches' orphaned statues and exhibit them in his museum. The statues range from the broadly familiar (nativity scenes and crucifixes) to the peculiarly Catholic (thorn-wrapped bleeding hearts and crown-topped babies).

Seeing Lou's work, you realize that most glamour models have the same facial make-up as Catholic religious statues: that airbrushed, beyond-perfect look. Lou also sells refurbished Catholic religious statues -- at prices into the thousands of dollars.