EVANGELICAL LATER UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
BETHANIEN KIRCHE (GERMAN) – W. 41st AND STORER
From: Jubilee Edition of Waechter und Anzeiger Newspaper 1902
Bethany German Evangelical Protestant was established in May, 1890, with the assistance of the local Zion Church and the German Evangelical Synod of North America, in a new area of the city. After the young congregation had organized itself, it obtained with no small difficulty a splendidly-located, valuable lot 112 feet wide and 180 feet long on Burton Street and Storer Avenue, and threw itself into constructing a provisional church. It made good progress, so that consecration of the new house took place in the middle of August of the same year. The parish house is located next to the church. Currently the congregation numbers between 150 and 160 families, mostly from northern Germany and recently immigrated. A series of lively and active societies have attached themselves to this growing congregation. The women’s association has accomplished no less by promoting the pecuniary well-being of the congregation. The Sunday School Society, consisting largely of younger people, leads a well-attended Sunday School. The Youth Society is a gathering place for confirmed young people. A Mission Society promoted interest in internal and external missions. Several years ago, most of the members joined a Sickness Support Society. So far as the ecclesiastical position of Bethany goes, it must be said that it has been a member of the Evangelical Synod of North America from the beginning. The preacher of the congregation since its establishment is Pastor W. Behrend. Today this church is located at 3388 W. 41st Street, Phone 216-631-6132
1894 - 1906 – Bethanien Kirche – Burton at Storer, Rev. Wm. Behrendt
1908 - 1913 – Bethanien Kirche – W. 41st at Storer, Rev. Wilhelm Behrendt
1917 - Bethanien Kirche - W. 41st at Storer, Rev. Foster
1918 - 1924 – Bethany Church – W. 41st at Storer, Rev. H.E. Voss
1928 – Bethany Church – W. 41st at Storer, Rev. Theo Braun
1998 - Bethany Church - W. 41st at Storer, Rev. Donna Brooks
CHRIST CHURCH (GERMAN) – W. 98th AND DENISON
From: Jubilee Edition of Waechter und Anzeiger Newspaper 1902
Christ Church is still young and small, but very promising. The church on Wellington Avenue at the corner of Cudell Street, is older than the congregation. The church, with a basement and heated by a furnace in the winter, was consecrated by Pastor F. Oppermann on December 5, 1897 in the presence of a large number of Protestants. A month later the organization of the Christ congregation was completed with 16 members. It now numbers 29 families and 16 individual members. It is part of the German Evangelical Synod of North America.
1898 – Christus Kirche – Clifford at Carille, Rev. C.M. Kaufmann
1897 - 1906 – Christus Kirche – Mueller at Cudell, Rev. Franz Opperman
1908 – Christus Kirche – W. 98th near Cudell, Rev. John Huebschmann
1913 - 1918 – Christus Kirche – W. 98th near Cudell, Rev. Henry Eppens
1921 - 1928 – Christus Kirche – 2124 W. 98th, Rev. Hugo Kamphauson
EBENEZER CHURCH (GERMAN)
From: Jubilee Edition of Waechter und Anzeiger Newspaper 1902
The first step to the foundation of the Ebenezer Church was made by a missionary committee of the Ohio district of the German Evangelical Synod of North America through the calling of Pastor Wilhelm Wahl, then at Rockport, Cuyahoga County, to be missionary preacher. Pastor Wahl moved to Cleveland on May 15, 1893 and took up his post. The four pastors in Cleveland belonging to the Evangelical Synod each donated $100 free of interest for an undetermined time to construct a little church, and the Zion Church (Pastor Leonhardt) donated $37.50 for the same purpose. The Ohio district of the German Evangelical Synod of North America which met at the start of June, 1893, in Pastor Burghardt’s church at the corner of Willson Avenue and Magnet Street, then approved $200 for construction. A lot was leased on Hoyt Avenue and St. Clair Street and a little church built there. It was dedicated on June 23, 1893. With the organization of the congregation on May 6, 1894, when the name of Ebenezer German-Evangelical Church was adopted, the first part of its history was completed. In June, 1894, the congregation was accepted as a member of the German Evangelical Synod of North America. On August 10, 1895 the congregation received a lot on Nora and St. Clair Street with a frontage of 100 feet, which has served its purpose. Pastor W. Wahl remains at his position today.
1893 - 1906 – Ebenezer Kirche – St. Clair near Becker, Rev. William Wahl
1908 – Ebenezer Kirche – St. Clair at E. 73rd, Rev. William Wahl
1913 – Ebenezer Kirche – St. Clair at E. 73rd, Rev. Richard Fillbrandt
1918 - 1921 – Ebenezer Kirche – St. Clair at E. 73rd, Rev. G.C. Maul
FRIEDENS CHURCH (GERMAN)
From: Jubilee Edition of Waechter und Anzeiger Newspaper 1902
The Friedens Evangelical Protestant congregation was organized by Pastor F. Groth on Sept. 11, 1887. Services were held in a schoolhouse, but within the first year the congregation decided to build a church. A proper lot was purchased on Kimmel Street, and soon the cornerstone for the church was laid. The wooden church was consecrated the Sunday before Christmas. Since Pastor Groth only served the congregation for a brief time, the council turned to the German Evangelical Synod of North America for a minister. In January, 1888, Pastor L. Bach took over, but illness forced him to give up his office in May of the same year. He was followed by Pastor H. Staebler, who preached his first sermon on May 20, 1888. Still a free congregation, it decided under Pastor Staebler’s leadership to join the Evangelical Synod of North America. At Easter, 1891, Pastor Staebler left to go to Indiana. His successor, Pastor J. Oppermann, preached for the first time on April 17, 1891. During his over six years as a preacher, a whole series of groups came into existence which survive to the present day. In 1892 the congregation declared itself independent, and since then it has covered its budge from its own resources. In the crisis year of 1893 Pastor Oppermann declined to take his salary for four months in order to help the struggling congregation. Pastor Oppermann laid down his office at the start of September, 1897, in order to found a mission church on the West Side. He was followed by the current pastor, C.C. Gebauer. He took up office on October 1, 1897. Under his leadership a tower was built on the church in 1898. An 1,100 pound bell was hung in the tower. Currently the congregation consists of 86 members. Today this church is located at 3589 Kimmel Road, Phone 216-641-7822
1874-1876 - Friedens Kirche - Kimmel, Rev. W.W. Orwig
1875-1882 - Friedens Kirche - Kimmel, Rev. Adam Bornheimer
1887 – Friedens Kirche – Kimmel, Rev. F. Groth
1888 – Friedens Kirche – Rev. L. Bach
1888 - 1891 – Friedens Kirche – Kimmel near Hunting, Rev. Heinrich Staebler
1891 - 1898 – Friedens Kirche – 149 Kimmel, Rev. Franz Oppermann
1897 - 1906 – Friedens Kirche – 140 Kimmel, Rev. Charles C. Gebauer
1908 - 1913 – Friedens Kirche – Kimmel at E. 46th, Rev. Charles Gebauer
1916-1918 – Friedens Kirche – Kimmel at E. 46th, Rev. J.F. Trefzer
1921 – Friedens Kirche – 3587 Kimmel, Rev. Walter Bauman
1924 – Friedens – 3587 Kimmel, Rev. Adolph Egli
1928 – Friedens – 3587 Kimmel, Rev. Theo Tillmanns
IMMANUEL CHURCH (GERMAN)
From: Jubilee Edition of Waechter und Anzeiger Newspaper 1902
The Immanuel Evangelical Protestant Church at the corner of Colfax Street and N. East Avenue, was founded on July 25, 1886 by Joh. Heininger, a cleric residing in Cleveland. Thirteen heads of families signed the first charter. After long missionary activity by Pastor Heininger, Mr. G. Neumann was elected minister. He took over in the winter of 1887. Since both divine service and Sunday School had taken place in rented quarters on Kinsman Street, then in a small storage room on Herold Street, on January 8, 1888 a committee was commissioned to buy a lot, whereupon the committee built a small church in keeping with the congregation’s capacity. Pastor G. Neumann departed in early 1888 and Pastor Joh. Heininger was unanimously elected. Under his leadership the congregation grew constantly. He took his leave in November, 1888. His successor was Pastor H. Haass, who created the first church register, entering the activities of the congregation there. On July 8, 1889 he resigned his position and on November 17 of the same year H.A. Koerner was called as pastor. On March 23, 1890 the congregation saw itself compelled to declare to him that his services were no longer desired. They then elected Pastor T. Lenschau, who had belonged to the Evangelical Synod of North America since 1854 and had served a series of German Evangelical congregations in Cleveland. The congregation then joined this synod. Pastor Lenschau died on June 11, 1897. The next pastor was F. Schroeck and then F.M. Haefele who took over on June 1, 1897. On October 1, 1901, it was decided to build a new church on the present lot. The congregation currently numbers about 80 members.
1886 – Immanuel – Northeast at Colfax, Rev. Heininger
1887 – Immanuel – Northeast at Colfax, Rev. G. Neumann
1888 – Immanuel – Northeast at Colfax, Rev. J. Heininger
1888 – Immanuel – Northeast at Colfax, Rev. H. Haass
1889 – Immanuel – Northeast at Colfax, Rev. H.A. Koerner
1890 – Immanuel – Northeast at Colfax, Rev. Lenschau
1897 - 1902 – Immanuel (GERMAN) – Northeast at Colfax, Rev. F.M. Haefele
1906 – Immanuel – Kinsman at Stoneman, Rev. F.M. Haefele
1908 – Immanuel – Kinsman at E. 72nd, Rev. F.M. Haefele
1913 - 1924 – Immanuel – Kinsman at E. 72nd, Rev. Theo P. Frohne
ST. JOHN’S (GERMAN)
From: Jubilee Edition of Waechter und Anzeiger Newspaper 1902
St. John’s Evangelical Protestant Church was established in 1884. It had its first small church on Magnet Street. In the first three years of its existence, it was served by three ministers, each serving for a short time. During the service of the last of these ministers the congregation went downhill. It split, and a portion established a church on Kimmel Street, the present Friedens congregation. During this time of crisis, the present minister, Pastor C. Burghardt, was called and he took up his office on October 1, 1887. The congregation purchased a lot on Willson Avenue at the corner of Magnet Street and the cornerstone was laid on August 19, 1889. At this time there were 70-80 members. Currently there are between 170 and 180 complete members (families) in the congregation. There are also about 100 non-complete families.
1887 – St. John’s – McBride near Willson, Rev. Johannes Heiniger
1891 – St. John’s – McBride near Willson, Rev. Carl Burghardt
1894 - 1898 – St. John’s – Willson at Magnet, Rev. Carl Burghardt
1902 - 1906 – St. Johannes Kirche – Willson at Magnet, Rev. Carl Burghardt
1908 - 1918 – St. Johannes – E. 55th at Magnet, Rev. Carl Burghardt
1921 – St. Johannes – E. 55th at Magnet, Rev. Henry Vieth
1924 - 1928 – St. John’s – E. 55th at Magnet, Rev. Emil Krafft
ST. LUKES
4216 Pearl Road
216-351-4422
NOVEMBER 2003 Old Brooklyn News
Neighbors come and neighbors go, and only rarely does anyone stay in the same house for a lifetime. One of our neighbors, however, has come and stayed, and at their 10:15 am service on Sunday, November 16th, they will be officially marking the 150 years that they have been in a "house" at 4216 Pearl Road (at the corner of Memphis Avenue). That neighbor is St. Luke's United Church of Christ.
St. Luke's present church building isn't 150 years old, though. It was built in 1903-04, having replaced a wooden church which was erected by the German immigrants who started the congregation in 1853. And the congregation's roots in Old Brooklyn (Brooklyn Township at the time) actually go back more than 150 years. First known as the German United Evangelical Protestant Church of Parma, they were organized on August 11, 1839. In 1841, they spent $20 to purchase a schoolhouse located on the Brainard farm at Broadview and West Schaaf Roads. With another $60 they refashioned it into a worship space, and the following year dedicated it as their first church building.
Due to the large number of Germans who were immigrating to Cleveland in those years, by 1853 the parishioners had outgrown their schoolhouse church. The majority wanted to relocate to the center of what was then unofficially called Brighton. Because the membership was divided on the issue, those who wanted to move seceded from the Broadview-Schaaf congregation, paid $100 for a parcel of land at the corner of Pearl Road and Memphis Avenue (then Pearl Street and Mill Street) and erected a frame church. They called themselves the German United Evangelical Church of Brighton, and it is the formation of the "new" congregation which St. Luke's has been celebrating this year.
History has a way of repeating itself, and again the church population was growing so fast that the original building could not adequately accommodate them. So they decided to build a bigger church. The brick structure cost $23,000, and it is an architectural gem both inside and out. Perhaps its most outstanding feature is the stained glass windows. They are explained (and some are also pictured) in Kathryn Gasior Wilmer's book from the early Eighties, Old Brooklyn New, Book II, copies of which are still available for purchase at the OBCDC office.
St. Luke's Educational Building, now known as the "Annex", was constructed in 1925 and cost an additional $57,000. An auditorium is on the first floor, classrooms and church offices are on the second floor, and a kitchen, dining hall and gymnasium are in the basement. Sliding stained glass doors separate the auditorium from the church, and over the years that area has functioned both as extra space for overflow crowds at services and as a fellowship room following the services.
In earlier decades of the last century, several hundred children were enrolled in St. Luke's Sunday School classes. Though attendance is much lower now, the second-floor classrooms are still used for Sunday School. They were also rented to Old Brooklyn Montessori School during its first four academic years, beginning in August, 1998.
A parsonage has also been a part of St. Luke's past. A house which the church purchased at 3422 "short" Broadview Road (where Family Dollar is now) served that need from 1880-1904. Then St. Luke's built a new parsonage at 4229 W. 35th Street, just north of Memphis Avenue. It was home to approximately seventy years of pastors and their families before it was sold in the mid-Seventies.
Other changes St. Luke's has witnessed during its long life include: the widening of Pearl Road in 1929, which took several feet off its frontage; discontinuing in 1935 the use of the German language during worship except on Holy Thursday -- that final vestige of the vernacular was eliminated in 1953; establishing an endowment fund in 1947; and redesigning the church sanctuary in the early Sixties.
Church history books do not indicate exactly when the congregation placed itself under the patronage of St. Luke. Mergers in the Protestant religion during that time, however, resulted in the Church's name changing from St. Luke's Evangelical Church to St. Luke's Evangelical - Reformed Church to St. Luke's United Church of Christ.
In the years when churches were the social as well as the spiritual centers of the community, St. Luke's had a very busy calendar. The Consistory (church board), Women's Guild, Men's Brotherhood, Choir and Sunday School still exist today on a smaller scale. In prior years St. Luke's also had a Quilting Circle for the ladies, Teeners and a Lily Circle for teenage girls, a Youth Fellowship for both sexes, and a group for married and/or single younger adults. Church members also played on their own bowling, softball and basketball leagues.
Because it was founded by the same religious organization, the goings-on at Deaconess Hospital were also of particular interest to the members of St. Luke's, and some of Deaconess' chaplains also preached from their pulpit.
St. Luke's current pastor, Jerry Madasz, came to the congregation late in 1999 from a previous assignment in Grand River. His calling to the ministry came later in life, and he strongly believes in the welcoming, open church mentality common to some United Church of Christ congregations. Although he and his wife live in Lakewood, he's so happy to be a part of the Old Brooklyn community that he joined the Old Brooklyn Community Development Corporation's board about six months ago. Pastor Jerry is especially proud of the joint service which he, James Keller, pastor of Pearl Road United Methodist Church, and Jody LeFort, pastor of Brooklyn United Presbyterian Church, have conducted on September 11 the past two years.
ST. MATTHEWS
1906 – St. Matthews – Wade Park at Genesee, Rev. Albert Katterjohn
1908 – St. Matthews – Wade Park at E. 90th, Rev. F.D. Schueler
1913 – St. Matthews – Wade Park at E. 90th, Rev. Theo Eisen
1918 – St. Matthews – Wade Park at E. 90th, Rev. Paul Schroeder
1921 – St. Matthews – Wade Park at E. 90th, Rev. Theo W. Mueller
1924 – St. Matthews – Wade Park at E. 90th, Rev. Paul Schnake
1928 – St. Matthews – Wade Park at E. 90th, Rev. Karl Kindt
ST. PAUL’S (GERMAN)
From: Jubilee Edition of Waechter und Anzeiger Newspaper 1902
The second St. Paul’s Evangelical Church, whose church is located at the corner of Scovill and Greenwood Street, was established in 1858. Its rise was due to the separation of a number of members of the “first St. Paul’s”, or as it was later called, “The Little Boat of Jesus”, whose pastor was then Allardt and his assistant Pastor Steinert. This division took place peacefully. A committee was named in 1858 to prepare for a new congregation. Pastor Steinert was chosen as first minister, a position he held until 1865. The little flock held its meetings in a rented hall before transferring to a little wooden church on a property owned by the mother congregation at the intersection of Scovill and Greenwood. This church was used for 12 years. There was concern to establish a parish school, which drew well though the end of the 1860s. It declined in the 1870s and was closed in 1878. Despite the frequent changing of pastors, St. Paul’s Church grew slowly but steadily. Steps were taken in 1870 to build a new church with its façade on Scovill, while the old church was behind it, fronting on Greenwood. Alongside the church to the north is the new parsonage. The preachers of this congregation to date were: M. Steinert, 1858-1865; Pastor Kroenlein, 1865-1869; Pastor Young, 1869-1872; Pastor Bank, 1872-1875; Pastor Zeller, 1875-1878; Pastor Buettner 1878-1884; Pastor H. Eppens 1884 to the present.
1858 - 1865 - St. Paul's Church - Rev. John Steinert
1865 – 1869 – St. Paul’s Church – Rev. Kronlein
1869 – 1872 – St. Paul’s Church – Rev. John C. Young
1872 – 1881 – St. Paul’s Church – Scovill and Greenwood, Rev. John C. Young
1872 - 1875 – St. Paul’s Church – Scovill and Greenwood, Rev. John Bank
1875 - 1879 – St. Paul’s – Scovill and Greenwood, Rev. Albert Zeller
1878 – 1884 – St. Paul’s – Scovill and Greenwood, Rev. Buttner
1884 - 1906 – St. Paul’s Church – Scovill and Greenwood, Rev. H. Eppens
1906 - St. Paul's Church - Scovill and Greenwood, Rev. J.H. Stepler
1908 – St. Paul’s Church – Scovill at E. 28th, Rev. Henry Deters
1913 – St. Paul’s Church – Scovill at E. 28th, Rev. Wm. Leonhardt
1918 - 1921 – St. Paul’s Church – Scovill at E. 28th, Rev. Adolph Schmidt
1924 - 1928 – St. Paul’s Church – Woodland at E. 127th, Rev. Walter Baumann
TRINITY UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
3525 West 25th St.
216-351-7667
http://trinityucccleveland.org/
Trinity Church, now known as Trinity United Church of Christ, was formed in 1911 by a group of members from Zion United Church of Christ who wished worship services in English rather than the traditional German. The first building, a frame structure facing Scranton Road, was built by the members themselves. It was dedicated in 1914. The present building was dedicated in 1926. An educational wing was added in 1948. In 1954 additional property to the south was purchased. This included a large building, known as Trinity Annex, which helped answer the need for increased school and community activities. In 1966 an addition to the main building was being completed to provide more space for church school rooms and offices. The old Annex was razed to give more ample parking. Trinity serves the community through ministry to Jones Home for Children, Metropolitan General Hospital School of Nursing, pre-school classes, a teen canteen, family and golden age clubs, recreation teams and scouts.
SEPTEMBER 2008 OLD BROOKLYN NEWS ARTICLE BY LYNETTE FILIPS – TRINITY OF UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST CLOSES DOORS IN BROOKLYN CENTRE; HOPES TO MERGE WITH UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST IN BROOKLYN
When something one loves is in danger of dying, whether that something is a person, a marriage, an institution or a church community, it can be hard to know when to keep fighting for his/her/its life, and when to “cut your losses” and let go. Such was the difficult situation which members of Trinity United church of Christ (UCC) have been facing for the last several years. The church had been in existence at 3525 W. 25th St. (at the corner of Scranton Rd.) for 97 years, but due to a series of “losses”, they found themselves in dire financial straits.
For Trinity the outside was deciding to “let go”, and join with another Protestant community of the same denomination – the United Church of Christ in Brooklyn on Memphis Ave. Former pastor (1956-1969) Rev. H. Richard Bucey conducted the final 10:30 a.m. Sunday worship service at Trinity on August 17.
Although it is located in Brooklyn Centre, a neighborhood which was not associated with the Old Brooklyn Community Development Corporation (OBCDC) at the time of its organization in 1975, it seems as though Trinity UCC was always involved with OBCDC. The reason was one of Trinity’s most memorable pastors (1936-1955), Rev. Elam G. Wiest.
When Rev. Wiest was the pastor of Trinity, he and his wife, daughter and son lived in the church’s parsonage at 4666 Hilland Rd. in the South Hills neighborhood of Old Brooklyn. Trinity wasn’t Trinity UCC then, however; it was Trinity Evangelical and Reformed Church. And when Trinity was founded in 1911, it wasn’t Trinity Evangelical and Reformed Church, but rather Trinity Evangelical Church. Not until 1934 did the Evangelical Synod of North America and the U.S. Reformed Church merge to become the Evangelical and Reformed Church.
Rev. Wiest left Trinity after he was elected the president of the Evangelical and Reformed (E & R) Church’s Northeast Ohio Synod. That kept him involved with our neighborhood E&R churches and also our former Deaconess Hospital – at that time, Evangelical Deaconess Hospital – which was operated by the Evangelical and Reformed Church.
Then in 1963, the Evangelical and Reformed Church merged with the Congregational Christian Churches (who themselves had joined together, having earlier been the Congregational Church and the Christian Church) to become the United Church of Christ (UCC). At that time, Elam Wiest became the president of the Western Reserve Association of the United Church of Christ.
After he left the UCC office, Rev. Wiest became the administrator of Deaconess Krafft Center, and that was the position in which he was working at the time that he joined with two neighborhood men to found the Old Brooklyn Community Development Corporation. He also served as its first executive director (an unpaid position at the time), was the third president of the OBCDC Board, and was involved with the organizing stages of Senior Citizen Resources, Inc., which for years served its senior lunches at Deaconess-Krafft. Unfortunately, at the time that we wrote the history of Germans in Cleveland and the churches they established, especially in our neighborhood, we didn’t realize that Trinity United Church of Christ was one of them.
At the turn of the last century, worship services at Evangelical churches (e.g. Zion, on W. 14th St.) were still being conducted in German, a language which had already become unintelligible to the English-speaking children and grandchildren of German immigrants. And so the Home Mission Board of the Ohio District of the Evangelical Church decided to organize an English-language church for the more Americanized German Evangelicals in Cleveland. That church was Trinity.
Trinity Evangelical Church’s charter members initially met for worship in a third-floor room of the A.I.U. Hall, located at the intersection of W. 25th St. and Scranton Rd. But property for a church was soon purchased from the estate of Charles Brainard (one of Brooklyn Centre’s first residents).
The beautiful brick building which Trinity members left behind last month was not the first structure which the congregation erected, however, Trinity’s first church building (1914) was a simple frame chapel constructed entirely with the volunteer labor of members. The current church (1925) is classical in design, with many Gothic details. The stained glass windows, which could only be appreciated from the interior, are reminiscent of those in European cathedrals/abbeys. The massive lighting fixtures, attached to the floor rather than hanging from the ceilings, are so unique that they are almost impossible to describe.
As did almost every institution, religious and otherwise, Trinity struggled through the Great Depression (1929 and well into the 1930s). But they did manage to stay afloat, and in subsequent decades, their membership grew. Under the leadership of the aforementioned Rev. Bucey, initially an assistant pastor and then a pastor (1955-1969), Trinity’s “Youth Canteen” membership totaled 1,200 young people!
Also in the Fifties, Trinity purchased the Rialto Restaurant beside the church and used it as “the Annex” for ten years. They replaced it with a Christian Education Building (Sunday School and Fellowship Hall) in 1948. Trinity added a new parlor, offices and lobby 1965-1966 and bought more land for the parking lot about the same time. In 1983 they completed renovations to their former second floor classrooms to accommodate offices for the United Church of Christ’s Western Reserve Association.
Over the years, Trinity has sponsored all the inclusive kinds of activities which other church congregations sponsor – the strawberry socials, potluck dinners, retreats, prayer groups, choir, Bible Studies, quilting clubs and “circles” for the ladies, a men’s club, youth fellowship, Scout groups, sports teams, a church newsletter, card parties and fund raisers like collecting and redeeming tax stamps.
But long before the socially progressive ways of the United Church of Christ were even dreamed about, members of Trinity Evangelical and Reformed Church were reaching out to the nearby Jones Home for Orphaned and Friendless Children, making gifts for delinquent children in Cleveland’s Detention Home, shipping old Bibles to Europe and one year even sending five sheep to Ecuador!
Because of the UCC’s strong social justice tradition, Trinity was one of the original churches in the West Side Ecumenical Ministry’s Brookside Cluster which support the food, clothing, education and general empowerment ministries of the Brookside Center. Trinity hosted Alcoholics Anonymous, Alanon, American Indian Education Center, and Union meetings from MetroHealth in their building. They sponsored a free “Soup Supper” on the last Wednesday of the month which they publicized on their marquee, as well as the “Church Notes” section of the Old Brooklyn News.
Trinity’s ministers have participated in meetings and activities of the Greater Brooklyn Ministerial Association, and have engaged in specific worship services with particular churches, both UCC and otherwise. The obvious choice for a UCC partner was the nearby Archwood United Church of Christ. The reason for the close proximity of two UCC churches is that Archwood began life as a Congregational church, and after the merger which formed the UCC, it and Trinity became members of the same denomination.
So what happened that caused Trinity to shut its doors? The story is a common one, of the gradual decline of urban neighborhoods due to a variety of causes, not the least of which is people moving from the city to the suburbs. In the case of Trinity, the loss was even more dramatic, because of the regional government razing members’ houses in the mid-Sixties to make room for the construction of I-71. The expansion of MetroHealth Medical Center also resulted in the loss of much of the neighborhood’s housing stock.
Also, as older members of Trinity died, persons of different ethnicities moved into the neighborhood. Their religious backgrounds – of those who had a religion – were not in the UCC Evangelical tradition, but rather in the “Gospel” Evangelical tradition. (These days, that style of religion has generally increasing memberships, while more traditional religions have generally declining memberships).
In spite of those demographic factors, Trinity was able to survive financially thanks to rent money it was bringing in from two major tenants – The Western Reserve Association of the United Church of Christ and Catholic Charities Corporation, which was operating a Head Start program at Trinity.
That situation changed dramatically at the end of last year and then again this past summer. In December, 2007, the UCC’s Western Reserve Association consolidated operations and moved to a different location. Then on July 31 Catholic Charities, due to decreased enrollment, pulled their Head Start operation out of Trinity. With both those income sources gone, Trinity had no choice but to close.
Anticipating the closure, Trinity let their pastor, Rev. David Durkit, go on August 1. According to Meryl Work, Trinity church council president, he had served the congregation faithfully for the last four and a half years.
In the near future, Trinity will sign the management of their church building over to the UCC’s Western Reserve Association, for either sale or rent. In the meantime, a great majority of Trinity’s members are already worshipping at the United Church of Christ in Brooklyn.
This article could not have been written were it not for all the printed historical data about Trinity with which Meryl Work provided me. I very much appreciate having it; after almost 100 years in our community, this church community deserved a fitting farewell tribute.
1918 – Trinity Church – Scranton near Aiken, Rev. F.H. Graeper
1921 – Trinity Church – Scranton near Aiken, Rev. P.O. Schoerluke
1927 - 1929 – Trinity Church – W. 25th at Library, Rev. August Kitterer
1936 - 1955 - Trinity Church - Rev. Elam Weist
1955 - 1969 - Trinity Church - Rev. Richard Bucey
1966 - Trinity Church - Rev. Karl Steckman
???? - Trinity Church - Rev. George Eberhard
???? - Trinity Church - Rev. James Lumsden
1998 - Trinity Church - Rev. Carl P. Wallace
2003 – 2008 – Trinity Church – Rev. David Durkit
This church closed on August 17, 2008 and merged with the United Church of Christ in Brooklyn.
WEST SIDE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
3800 Bridge Avenue
216-631-3423
The Western Reserve Historical Society has church records for this church from 1853-1923. Call number F342F H332
From: Jubilee Edition of Waechter und Anzeiger Newspaper 1902
The oldest German Protestant congregation on the west side, and one of the oldest whatsoever in Cleveland, is the United Evangelical Protestant Congregation of the West Side, usually referred to as “Stempel’s Church”. It received this latter name because its founder and first pastor had that name. Pastor Philipp Stempel, an old Forty-Eighter from the Palatinate, by profession a teacher, and who was driven over the sea by the Revolution, came here in 1849 and took over a position as pastor and teacher in Brighton, now South Brooklyn. At the start of the 1850s he started preaching in turns in Rockport, then Cleveland or Ohio City, which is today called the West Side. This gave occasion to the establishment of the congregation in Cleveland on July 26, 1853. Mr. Stempel was elected pastor and held this office for 22 years.
On November 28, 1853 the cornerstone was laid for the first church, a little wooden church on Kentucky Street near Bridge Street. Very soon it proved to be too small and the active pastor managed to bring it about that the congregation moved in 1859 to a roomier brick church at the corner of Bridge and Kentucky Street. This did not fulfill their needs for long, and in 1866 the congregation built a stately new church next to the old one on Bridge Street. This construction cost $45,000. The earlier church was used as a parish school.
Although the congregation sought to reduce their debt, it became impossible to support the burden and there was a danger that the church would be auctioned. Pastor Stempel resigned. The congregation then elected Pastor Fack on November 7, 1875 as second pastor. He was not able to settle the poor finances. He remained until the end of 1879 before establishing St. John’s Evangelical Protestant Church, which is on Harbor Street.
The third pastor was W. Angelberger of Buffalo. His period of service, from February, 1880 on, showed a growth in the external conditions of the congregation. The debt, which was $22,000 when he took office, was reduced year by year. When he died on October 26, 1894, the debt was paid down to $2,700.
During the subsequent vacancy, Pastor F. Schrock of Brighton oversaw the congregation until they won Mr. C.W. Bernhardi, a fine new pastor. He took up his position on January 13, 1895 and won the love and respect of the members. He was born the son of a pastor in Staudemin, Pomerania, in 1865. He emigrated to America in 1888. The congregation does not belong to any synod, but it has been served by the German Evangelical Synod of North America since 1880.
West Side United Church of Christ 1853-1998 Anniversary Issue
145 Years on the West Side
West Side United Church of Christ was originally founded under the name "United German Evangelical Protestant Congregation f Ohio City." Historically the parentage of the Evangelical Protestant extends back to the Evangelical Church of the Union in Prussia (and later all of Germany). On the 300th anniversary of Protestant Reformation, King Frederick William III of Prussia ordered the merger of the state Lutheran and the state Reformed churches in his territories into one State Church. Germans emigrating to the U.S. after this time were neither Reformed nor Lutheran, but Evangelical Christians.
West Side Evangelical Congregation, as the new church soon came to be named, was formally founded on July 26, 1853 under the leadership of the Rev. Phillip Stempel. The families that started the church had emigrated from Germany in the late 1840's. At first, worship services were conducted in private homes. But on November 28, 1853, the cornerstone for the first small frame structure was laid at Kentucky Street (now W. 38th).
The Rev. Stempel was both pastor and parish school teacher at the salary of $250 per year. West Side Evangelical Church was one of two Evangelical German churches serving the entire West and old South Sides (now Tremont area). It reached far into the rural districts as well. Growth was rapid in those few short years. After several building additions, the decision was made to erect a spacious brick church on the corner of W. 38th and Bridge Avenue. The cornerstone was laid September 12, 1859. The building was razed in May 1953. The first church choir was organized on May 14, 1864.
In 1866 the growing congregation outgrew its quarters, so it set itself the heroic task of erecting our present sanctuary at the cost of $40,000. The funds they raised reduced the debt to half the cost and was further reduced to $18,851 by the time of Rev. Stempel's resignation in 1875.
That same year the Rev. H.C. Fack was called to serve the church. At that time many members left to start an independent Evangelical Church in the vicinity. Rev. Fack became their pastor in 1879. The Rev. William Angelberger was provided by the Evangelical Synod of North America to be pastor. In 1883 the Young People's Society was organized. The Ladies Society followed on May 7, 1891. Rev. Angelberger served the church well until his death in October of 1894.
In December of 1894, Rev. C.W. Bernhardi began his pastorate. During his pastorate a pipe organ was installed in 1897, and in 1900 the stained glass windows were installed. A frame addition to the Parish Hall was built with a donation of $2,700 by the Ladies Society. The parsonage was built next door to the church in 1903. Rev. Bernhardi served the church well until his death in November, 1923 after 29 years of service.
In January of 1924, Rev. Walter Klein was called to be the pastor. At the annual meeting of 1926, the congregation chose to replace German with English services. At this time the church joined with other congregations of our denomination in starting Deaconess Hospital.
In 1934, the Evangelical Synod of North America joined with the (German) Reformed Church in the U.S. to form the Evangelical and Reformed Church.
In 1944 authorization was given to launch a campaign to secure funds for a new religious education and Christian fellowship building to replace the Parish Hall which had been built in 1859. By 1953, $165,000 was raised. The old Hall was razed and work began on the new building. The cornerstone of the new building was laid on July 26, 1953, which was the 100th anniversary of the church.
In 1957 the Evangelical and Reformed Church joined in union with the Congregational Christian Churches to form the United Church of Christ. Accordingly, West Side Evangelical and Reformed became the West Side United Church of Christ.
After 36 years of dedicated service, Rev. Klein retired in 1960. Rev. Carlton Weber was Associate Minister under Rev. Kline from 1955 to 1957. Rev. Klein's associate, the Rev. Carl Berger, who followed Rev. Weber, became the senior pastor. Rev. Homer Koepke was hired as the Associate Pastor with a special ministry to the neighborhood. In February 1970, the Rev. Berger resigned. An interim period of eight months followed and the church was served during this time by Dr. Orie J. VandeVisse. The Rev. Roy Priem began his pastorate in November 1970. Times were hard however. A changing neighborhood, a sense of loss felt by the old membership after almost a lifetime of ministry by one man, and other problems combined to make the pastorate of Dr. Priem an unhappy one. Dr. Priem resigned in 1978. The congregation was fortunate to receive Rev. Fred Vaill as interim minister. Rev. Dr. John Terry was called to serve the church near the end of 1979.
The resignation of Dr. Terry in 1984 left the congregation debating its future. The majority of the remaining members were retirees with a huge building to maintain and the frustration of a quarter century of declining membership. The interim pastorates of Rev. George Benson and Rev. Irving Camerer gave the congregation time to reflect and pray about the direction the Lord wanted them to take. At first, worldly logic said to give up. But the Lord had us take another look around. Young families were again buying homes in the area and crime had dropped. Homes were being restored and trolley tours of the neighborhood were being given. The Congregation called Rev. John Wagner in 1986. New faces were seen in the pews on Sunday and the nursery got crowded. After eight years of ministry Rev. John Wagner accepted a call to a church in New Hampshire on October 1993.
From October of 1993 until a year later, the Rev. Richard A. Wierwille commuted from Wooster, Ohio to be interim minister. Rev. Dr. Charles "Chuck" Hosutt was called as the full time pastor and teacher. Rev. Chuck was searching for an interracial, intercultural parish in the Cleveland area, and West Side Church provided that environment. The magnificent facility known as West Side UCC was soon filled with people of all ages.
1853 – 1875 – United German Evangelical Protestant Church – Bridge and Kentucky, Rev. Philip Stempel
1875 - 1879 – United German Church – Bridge and Kentucky, Rev. H.C. Fack
1880 - 1894 – United German Church – Bridge at Kentucky, Rev. William Angelberger
1894 - 1906 – United German Church – Bridge at Kentucky, Rev. C.W. Bernhardi
1908 - 1918 – United German Church – Bridge at W. 38th, Rev. C.W. Bernhardi
1921 - 1923 – West Side United German – Bridge at W. 38th, Rev. C.W. Bernhardi
1924 - 1960 – West Side United German – Bridge at W. 38th, Rev. Walter Klein
1960 - 1970 - West Side United German - Bridge at W. 38th, Rev. Carl Berger
1970 - 1978 - West Side United German - Bridge at W. 38th, Rev. Roy Priem
1979 - 1984 - West Side United German - Bridge at W. 38th, Rev. John Terry
1986 - 1993 - West Side United German - Bridge at W. 38th, Rev. John Wagner
1995 - West Side United German - Bridge at W. 38th, Rev. Charles Hosutt
ZION UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST (GERMAN) (1885)
2716 West 14th St. and Branch Ave.
216-861-2371
The architect for the church was Andrew Mitermiler
The architect for the school was Paul Matzinger
In 1885, a German congregation built Zion Church, which is now Zion United Church of Christ. In 1934, it was the site of the national merger of the Evangelical and Reform branches of the German church. Today, the church is noted for its landmark 175-foot steeple and its outreach programs. The open belfry, pointed arches, flying buttresses, and 175 feet spire are typical of Gothic Architecture. The interior features clustered columns and Tudor arches.
The first congregation was formed in 1867 by 40 German families who had been attending West Side Church on W. 38th St. A small frame church was built on the corner of College and Tremont and was known as the United German Evangelical Protestant Church of University Heights. In 1868 a parochial school was formed. In 1872 two lots were purchased on Jennings at the corner of Branch, from Sarah and Francis Branch and the church on College Ave. was moved to the new site, renovated and enlarged. In 1873 another building was moved to the site and remodeled for a school. The Church joined the German Evangelical Synod in 1874 and the name was changed to Zion Evangelical Protestant Church. The present building was dedicated in 1875. For 30 years Zion was known as "Leonhardt's" church, under Pastor Leonhardt. In 1884 the cornerstone of the present church was laid and in 1885 the new brick Gothic type church was dedicated. A parsonage was built in 1887; a new school in 1906. The German language was used until 1916 and by 1923 both German and English services were held. One of the most important events was the union of the Reformed Church and the Evangelical Synod in 1934. After this, the church was known as Zion Evangelical and Reformed Church. In 1957 this Synod merged with Congregational Christian Churches to form the United Church of Christ and Zion was then called Zion United Church of Christ.
PLAIN DEALER 7/29/1906:
Work has been started on the new parochial school building and assembly hall for the Evangelical Zion congregation, which will be erected on W. 14th St., at the corner of Branch Ave. The building will be of brick with stone trimmings, two stories in height. It will cost in the neighborhood of $20,000. Paul Matzinger is the architect.
PLAIN DEALER 12/2/1906:
The dedicatory exercises of the new school and association building of the German Evangelical Church of Zion on W. 14th St., will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday. The program includes a meeting at the church, where an address will be delivered by the pastor, Rev. T. Leonhardt. From the church there will be a procession of those taking part in the exercises to the new building. The building will be formally opened and inspected and duly presented to the building committee.
ZION UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST - HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHTS OF THE FIRST 132 YEARS:
"At the time of the Reformation the Protestant movement in Europe, during the early decades of the sixteenth century, was divided into two main streams. One was led by Luther; the other was led by Zwingli and Calvin. The first is known as Lutheranism and the latter as Reformed. Each of these systems created its own set of doctrines and practice. In Prussia, in 1817, these two streams were united and the 'Evangelical Union' was formed" (Stuber, Stanley I., How We Got Our Denominations, p. 174)
In January of 1867, forty German immigrant families living in the section of Cleveland, then known as University Heights (now Tremont), met with Rev. P. Stemple, pastor of West Side Church, in Schneeberger's Hall to found a United German Evangelical Protestant Church. Many of the families had been attending Rev. Stemple's church, but with the great walking distance and increasing German population in this area, they decided to start a church of their own. In the spring of the same year, a corner lot on College Avenue and Tremont Street was purchased for $400 so a permanent church building could be constructed. The cornerstone was laid on May 12, 1867, marking the date we have come to regard as Zion's birthday. October 6, 1867, was a day for double celebration as Rev. A. Bauer became the church's first minister and began his ministry with a service to dedicate the new building. Rev. Bauer remained with the church until August, 1868, when he was succeeded by Rev. G. Bochert. By this time the congregation had grown large enough to warrant forming a parochial school taught by the pastor.
Rev. O. W. Schettler became pastor in 1872. It was a year of expansion for the church. The congregation purchased the track of land on the corner of Branch Avenue and Jennings Road (West 14th Street) from Sarah and Francis Branch. The church was moved from College Avenue to the new site in July. At the same time it was renovated and enlarged. At that time the church was a frame building capable of seating 600 people. Lighting was provided by oil lamps fastened to the side walls with brackets. It had a small hand pump organ in the balcony at the rear of the church. Mr. E. A. Seidle was the first organist and was paid $25 for six months service. In September, 1872, Mr. Hahn was hired as school teacher and organist for $50 per month. In the same year the Ladies Aid Society was founded. In November, 1873, a small church was purchased and moved to the site of our church, where it was remodeled as a school house with three white-washed rooms and a kitchen. A well in the back yard supplied water. Mr. C. Koop joined the teaching force. The school was then divided into a junior and senior department. In 1874 our church joined the German Evangelical Synod of North America. At that time the name of the church was changed to Zion Evangelical Protestant Church. (ln 1927 the name "German" was dropped from the Synod title). The following year Rev. Schettler found it impossible to continue as pastor due to illness and Rev. A. Klein replaced him.
During this time a men's organization called the Krankenverein (Sick Insurance Society) was formed. Church regulations were revised and accepted at a congregational meeting on May 1, 1881. In addition the Church Regulations included a section on "School Laws", for the teaching of children over the age of six. A systematic course of instruction was given in Religion-Catechism, Bible Stories; Reading - German and English, Writing-German and English, Arithmetic, Geography, Natural History, Drawing and Singing. School hours were from 9 a.m. to 12 Noon, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. five days a week. Vacations were from December 23 to January 2, from Maundy Thursday to the Tuesday after Easter, and from July 1 to August 1. Examinations were held four weeks before Easter. Tuition was $12.50 a quarter, payable in advance. Each student was to appear in school neat, clean, on time, and obey the teacher. The teacher could give punishment for disobedience, laziness, and dishonesty. In addition to instructing in the school the teacher had to play the organ at all divine services on Sunday and weekdays, direct and keep order in the choir, and take part regularly in the Sunday School. In 1883 Rev. Klein became ill and Rev. T. Leonhardt, then a student at the Synodical School, came to assist him. On September 3, 1883, Rev Leonhardt was elected pastor. In 1884, the Zion Young Ladies Sick Benefit Association was organized. This was open to all young women over 16. In case of illness a $3 benefit was paid. Later the sick benefit was eliminated and the name changed to Zion's Daughters. The congregation continued to grow under Rev. Leonhardt's leadership and the need for a new and larger building became evident. On April 25, 1884, the congregation passed a resolution to build a new structure on the site of the schoolhouse. Cost was not to exceed $25,000. In accordance with architect Mitermueller's plans a brick and stone building 130 feet long by 65 feet wide with a 175 feet height at its steeple capable of seating 1500 people was built. On June 28, 1884, ground was broken. The cornerstone was laid on July 20, 1884, and on February 1, 1885, the new church was dedicated. Rev. Schettler, former pastor, preached the dedication sermon, and Dr. Sturtevant of Pilgrim Church assisted in one of the services.
In 1890 the West Side of Cleveland was rapidly expanding and some members were moving out of the community. Cleveland's transit system of horse drawn cars was restricted to a few cars on the main thoroughfares only. Members living at a distance found it difficult to attend church. To assist them in obtaining a site and erecting a house of worship nearer to their homes, Zion donated $1,500. This church is the present Bethany United Church of Christ on the corner of West 41st Street and Storer Avenue. About 1894 the Young People's Society was organized with assistance from Zion's Daughters. In 1897 a new parsonage was built at a cost of $3,500, having twelve rooms, a basement, and a garret. At that time Zion's membership was over 1,000, the Sunday School almost 1,000, the Ladies Aid 323, the Young People's League 247. The Confirmation Class numbered 152 and had to be divided into two sections for instruction. Zion also had a Men's Choir and a Mixed Choir.
In 1906 a new schoolhouse was built at a cost of $20,000. The old structure which had served as the church prior to 1885, was sold and remodeled into a private residence at 3014 Wade Avenue. At the same time the church organ was electrified. Five years later electric lights were installed in the church. Rev. Leonhardt obtained a leave of absence of June, 1913, to visit his former home in Germany. He was expected to return in 1914, but died February 7, 1914, and was laid to rest in his hometown of Hohenstaufen, bringing to a close a pastorate of thirty years. Memorial services were held on March 1, 1914 at Zion. Rev. T. Thomas was Rev. Leonhardt's successor. During his pastorate the Duplex envelope system was introduced. Prior to then only those paying dues quarterly and listed in "The Book" were considered voting members of the church. The transition from the use of German to English began with an occasional English service in 1916. By 1919 one service a month was in English. Rev. Benjamin Wulfman, who was selected as pastor in November, 1916, introduced this idea. In 1916 the Seventh Annual Evangelical League and the first Fourteen hundred delegates attended. At this time Zion's Daughters joined the Evangelical League of Cleveland and began giving annual plays. The fiftieth anniversary was celebrated with festivities from May 13 - May 16, 1917. At this time the last indebtedness of the church was paid. The year 1917 was the year individual communion cups were used. Prior to this a large silver cup was passed from hand to hand at Communion. The school maintained by the church was discontinued and the teacher at that time, Mr. Grauer, became a church worker.
In 1920 the Deaconess Hospital of this city had been opened. To increase its efficiency and facilities a new building was erected in 1927. In the campaign to raise the necessary funds, the people of our church contributed $19,000. They were equally generous in 1925 when they pledged $25,000 to help cancel the indebtedness of our denomination. Rev. Wulfman passed away suddenly on November 5, 1921. After funeral services at Zion six members of the Church Council accompanied the body to Lawrenceburg, Indiana, where they were pallbearers. In the next six months Zion was served by supply pastors, Rev. Michels, and Rev. Thiersch. Renovation of the church was started at this time and completed in 1922. During this time a well-meaning custodian destroyed the books containing the records of baptisms, confirmations classes, weddings, and funerals prior to January, 1888 because "they were full and of no further use". An English Bible was purchased for use in church. Rev. O. E. Wittlinger answered the church's call in September, 1922. He decreed on October 6, that wheels of fortune or other gambling devices were banned from Bazaars and the church premises. On December 3, 1922, Rev. Wittlinger was installed and a renovation service held. In 1923 German and English services were held every Sunday by Rev. Wittlinger. The Third National Convention of Evangelical Women's Union was held in our church July 14 - 17, 1925. over 1,100 women attended. For many years Zion had a large women’s organization known as the Frauenverein. The meetings were conducted in German. The Frauenverein did much for Zion Church and also remembered the benevolent institutions of the Evangelical Synod. However, the need for an English speaking organization devoting itself solely to Christian work seemed necessary. To fulfill this need the Dorcas Society was organized in March, 1927.
One of the most important events in our history was the union of the Reformed Church in the United States and the Evangelical Synod of North America. On June 26 - 27, 1934 delegates of the two denominations met in Zion Church and concluded negotiations of the merger. In the evening of June 26, before an audience of two thousand people the merger was consummated.
The south and west migration of our members by 1941 brought up the question of the relocation of Zion Church. Results of balloting, however, indicated 94% of the members were against this relocation. During the same year the pastor started greeting members at the rear door as they left. Christmas Eve service was held at 10:30 p.m. for the first time in 1945. In remembrance of the star of Bethlehem it was a candlelight program with the singing of traditional Christmas songs. This replaced a 7 a.m. service on Christmas Day. During World War II, Zion had fifty-four members serving our country. A Service Committee kept in contact with all. On March 14, 1946, a supper was held to honor our service people and their spouses. Although casualties were many, only one member of Zion Church, Harland W. Tobin, was "killed in action" in France. At a Sunday School teachers' meeting in the 1940's it was suggested all organizations of Zion join in planning a picnic for our congregation with two members of each organization forming the committee. Sunday, August 4, 1946, at Lakewood Park an 11 a.m. worship service was held with games and recreation in the afternoon. This is the first official record of a Zion Family Picnic at Lakewood Park, which continues to the present. On September 28, 1947, Rev. Wittlinger celebrated twenty-five years of service at Zion. To honor him on this occasion the members of the church by means of a special offering, presented him with a 1947 Pontiac car and a purse of $500. In 1949 the German services were reduced to one each month with the last one held on December 3, 1950. It was on November 15, 1949 when Rev. Wittlinger, having completed twenty-seven years as pastor of Zion presented his resignation effective the following year. On November 15, 1950, he was given a farewell banquet. On January 1, 1951, Rev. Carl Kiewit began his ministry. Rev. and Mrs. Wittlinger were made honorary life-time members of Zion.
Rev. Kiewit created the Zion News and distributed the first issue in February, 1951. In March he helped organize the Women's Guild. The Young Adults, for persons twenty-one and older, was formed in May. In 1952, Mrs. Kiewit's young women's Bible class was organized and called Fidelis Bible Class. Lenore Parsons and Rose Newman donated our Christmas tree in memory of their father, Fred Newman, and continued to do so for twenty-four years. In January, 1953, a room was dedicated to Fred Schultz, a longtime Elder. Mr. Schultz was also honored on his eightieth birthday in 1960 and made an Honorary Member of the Congregation and Consistory (Council) in 1963. During 1953 $22,000 was contributed to redecorate the interior of the church which had not been done since 1922. Exterior work, new boilers and other equipment were part of the project. The 90th Anniversary of our church was celebrated May 5, 1957 with almost 600 persons attending the special service and a capacity crowd of 400 attending the Anniversary Dinner. Rev. and Mrs. O.E. Wittlinger were present with Rev. Wittlinger delivering the anniversary message. Mrs. Naomi Harding, our former organist, conducted a choir consisting of present and former members of Zion. Our June 25, 1957, the union of the Evangelical and Reformed Church and the Congregational Christian Churches was concluded in Cleveland, which resulted in the formation of the United Church of Christ, to which body, Zion now belongs. In 1958 Mrs. Leo Leitold was honored for her devoted and able leadership in the Sunday School and she was made a Life Member of the National Women's Guild. In 1959 a major repair was made on our church steeple and surrounding roof. At that time a new cross, donated by Mr. and Mrs. Carl Schmitt, was placed on the steeple.
In 1963 the Elders were requested to make a study of the future of Zion after the first plans of various highways to be built close to the church were released. As some of our members would be forced to leave the vicinity of the church, the question of relocation or merger with other congregations was considered. Results of the balloting indicated a majority of our members preferred to continue in our present location. Ultimately we lost 23 families. Rev. Kiewit retired on January 15, 1965, after 14 years of service to Zion. At the Annual Congregational Dinner in 1965 Rev. Kiewit was made Pastor Emeritus. After Rev. Kiewit's resignation, Zion had several "Interim Ministers". One of these ministers, Rev. Bertram B. Hanscom came out of retirement to accept Zion's invitation to be its pastor.
During Rev. Hanscom's pastorate a constitutional review and update was conducted, chaired by Leonard Hettinger. The 1968 Constitution was notable, particularly for its proclamation of church membership "open to all, without regard to race, color or ethnic background." An electric organ was purchased in 1965 when it was determined the pipe organ could no longer be repaired. In April, 1965, a new organization known as the Zion Fundraising Committee (now known as the "Lively Ones") was formed to foster good fellowship and raise money for extra expenses of the church. They established themselves with paper drives, rummage sales (which continue on a monthly basis to the present), good suppers and the popular "Country Store" (present day "Mini-Mart"). The Mile of Pennies was started by Ed Hambrecht to help defray the cost of the 100th Anniversary celebration. Mile of Pennies continues to the present facilitated by Mr. Hambrecht's daughter, Elaine Lukacs. The 100th Anniversary was celebrated on May 14, 1967 with a centennial supper in Fellowship Hall on Friday. On Sunday 500 persons attended a Rededication Service. After the service the congregation traveled to Swiss Hall for dinner. Clara Kellogg and Frank Felgenhauer were made honorary members of Church Council in 1968 after 30 years of service.
Rev. Hanscom resigned due to ill health on February 1, 1971. He was voted the honor of Pastor Emeritus. On February 7, 1971 Kenneth J. Rankin was selected as our new pastor. In the early 1970's we experienced an increase in crime and vandalism in the neighborhood. It was at this time that the parsonage was torn down and a parking lot was created. In 1977 Clara Witt was made a Life Member of Church Council for her 34 years of service. The following year Rev. and Mrs. Kiewit were made Life Members of Zion. Zion's Social Club held its first meeting on November 9, 1977. Its first scheduled event was a theater party in December. On Sunday, May 21, 1978, Pastor Rankin held a Marriage Sunday. His goal was to get enough couples together who had been married 25 years or longer to add up to a million years without a divorce. He began with 42 couples with a combined total of 1,808 years of marriage.
Pastor Rankin resigned on February 7, 1982, after 11 years of service to Zion. Lay minister William Shackleford began his ministry the following Sunday with the practice of having a "Children's Moment". On May 16, 1982, we celebrated Senior Citizens' Day by honoring all persons 80 years of age and over with the singing of their favorite hymns and reading of favorite Scripture. Along with helium filled balloons we launched our "Food for the Needy" campaign. This began year-round collection of food, paper products, and money for the Brookside Hunger Center (facilitated presently by Gertrude Hessler). 1983 saw Zion recognized for the donation of a whirlpool unit for the physiotherapy department of Chapel Hill Home. Work was begun to make our church accessible to the handicapped. A walkway connecting the church building and Fellowship Hall and a ramp was dedicated on October 16, 1983. Continued improvements were made including a handicap accessible restroom. A letter written by long-time secretary, Leonard Hettinger, garnered Zion a certificate of recognition from the Ohio Conference United Church of Christ in 1986. Norman Thresher provided a smooth transition as interim pastor and remained as pastor after Mr. Shackleford resigned in 1983. The key word for the 1980's became "Involvement" - involvement in church and community activities. To this end, Alma Wollerman mailed weekly bulletins to absent members, persons in nursing homes, and friends. This practice is continued presently by Doris Matheny. Hundreds of cards signed by the congregation were mailed to church members and friends by Ruth Hettinger. This practice she continues to the present. Edward and Evelyn Hambrecht spurred us on to continue and increase our monthly contributions to the Brookside Hunger Center. In 1988 Gertrude Hessler and Elaine Lukacs planned and supervised the first of many Hunger Center dinners we began serving with other churches. This outreach continues into 1999. Marie Geiger was honored for 11,000 hours of volunteer work at Deaconess Hospital in 1988. The Tremont Area Civic Association's summer tutoring program was funded with our Church's contributions through Lenten service offerings. Project Learn established the Tremont Area Literacy Center which met at Zion Church for a time. We hosted a Community Thanksgiving Eve worship service in 1989, which was an inspiration to all attending. We also traveled to sing Christmas carols to our homebound members.
Surrounded "by so great a cloud of witnesses" (Hebrews 12:1) both past and present - the people of faith in community at Zion United Church of Christ of Tremont press on. As we celebrate 132 years of God's presence and blessing, we are grateful for the legacy of our history and the vitality of our people empowered by the Spirit of the Risen and Living Christ. We humbly acknowledge that we face many challenges as the 20th century draws to a close and a new century and millennium is waiting to be birthed. Financial obligations, the need to grow spiritually and numerically, and the challenge to continue and more deeply embody a tradition of welcome and inclusivity - all call for our ongoing response. What the future holds for certain we do not know. But we do believe, trust in, and give thanks to the One who holds together past, present, and future. To God be the glory for God's initiative and ongoing love to us and all humanity! Amen.
“CELEBRATING 130 YEARS OF PROCLAIMING GOD’S GOOD NEWS – MAY 3, 1997”
The article below is exactly the same as the one above, but it has additional information about the 1990-1997 timeframe which I include here:
In February 1990 Emma Barney, on the occasion of her 100th birthday, shared with us her secret for a happy life. It was simple. Begin and end each day with a Thank You to God, listen to your parents, and remember the words of the children’s song, “Jesus Loves Me”. The year 1991 brought a Good Friday Walk by the Tremont Urban Ministry, which started at Zion Church and made 14 stops at area churches. Rev. Scott Rosenstein was present for worship each Sunday beginning April 21st through August except for one Sunday every month.
The year was an active one for the Social Club with trips to the Carousel Theater, Stubenville, St. Louis, Columbus, a Mystery Tour, Cleveland Buddhist Temple, Fairmount Presbyterian Church, Church of the Savior (Methodist), and Quaker Square. These trips continued in 1992 with visits to Greenbrian Theater, the Ameriflora exhibit in Columbus, a luncheon cruise on the “Nautica”, a bus tour to the Hudson River Valley, Carousel Theater, Western Pennsylvania, Mercer, Warren and Hubbard, South Haven UCC in Bedford, and a bus tour to Dennison and Gnadenhuten.
Zion Church celebrated our 125th Anniversary with a special worship service on May 3, 1992. Raymond K. Lukacs and Kevin P. Konet were confirmed as part of the morning worship. Jackie Green did a terrific job serving as Anniversary Coordinator from 1992-1996 – our 125th through 129th.
The Tremont neighborhood is experiencing the 1990’s as a period of great renaissance. Rehabbing, new construction, pubs and restaurants, art and music abound. Tremont has been voted Cleveland’s “best neighborhood” by the readers of the Cleveland Free Times. Marianne Reiter, a recent past Board president of Tremont West Development Corp., joined Zion in the 90’s and sings in our choir. Zion Church lost a dear friend when Carol Jean Thresher, wife of Pastor Norman Thresher, died on March 19, 1993.
Tremont in Bloom, a community tour, was held on May 23, 1993. Stops included the Ukrainian Museum, two Ukrainian churches, two homes, and concluded with a stop at Zion Church, where a lunch of German Franks, German Potato Salad, and special cookies was served. Those who took the tour were presented with a pin made in the form of a Ukrainian Easter Egg. The month of September saw the death of long-time member, Clara Witt and the confirmation of Kristy Fanta.
The 127th Anniversary was celebrated on May 1, 1994 with a catered Swiss Steak dinner. The Poppinjay Puppets entertained us. Raymond Clarence Hill, son of Bonnie Hill and Ed Smith, was baptized in June. Erica Katherine Gregg, infant daughter of Karen (Steinc) and Patrick Gregg, was baptized on September 18th. November 19, 1994 a special Congregational Meeting was held to discuss the future of Zion Church. On March 26, 1995, Samantha Erin and Hannah Marie, twin daughters of Laura (Paul) and Alan Weber were baptized.
The 128th and 129th Anniversaries included catered meals and entertainment by “Beacon Street”.
On June 1, 1995, Pastor Norman Thresher tendered his resignation. Pastor Thresher had faithfully served Zion Church since 1984. Long-time member Alma Wollerman died that same month.
Rev. Homer Kopke and Pastor Beulah Knieriem filled the pulpit periodically. On August 27th, Rev. Scott Rosenstein was called as pastor at a special Congregational Meeting. Rev. Rosenstein began his ministry at Zion Church on September 10, 1995 and was installed on the afternoon of November 12. September 3, 1995 brought the death of former pastor William Shackleford, who served Zion Church in 1982-1983.
Lucille Koryta concluded many years of service as Zion’s Sunday bulletin editor in late October, and Betty Funk became Zion’s church secretary on November 1, 1995. The Herald Newsletter was begun by Rev. Rosenstein in February 1996. Rebecca Coste, became the newsletter editor and updated the format beginning with the April 1997 issue.
Various languages were included in Zion Church worship services including German, Spanish, and French versions of the Prayer of our Savior.
Due to eye and vision problems, Betty Funk resigned from the church secretary position while remaining as Minister of Music. Patricia Matheny is our current church secretary.
Late 1996 and early 1997 brought news of great sadness to the people of Zion Church. On December 22, Zion learned of the death of former pastor, Norman Thresher, who passed away the day before. Another former pastor, Rev. Kenneth Rankin, died on January 19, 1997.
The School building is used by many more people during the week. Currently Zion provides meeting space for two weekly AA Groups, periodic rehearsal space for Knot Theater, and the soon to open Happy Works Day Care site.
A Strategic Planning Committee, chaired by Robert Bucklew, meeting in the fall of 1996 studied various options for the future of Zion Church. After much reflection the Committee unanimously recommended continuing fulltime ministry with a goal of moving Zion towards a new century and new millennium.
A Constitutional Review Committee, chaired by Jackie Green, proposed updating the 1968 constitution. It was proposed to eliminate sexist bias in language, bring policies more in line with actual practice, provide for the creation of a pastoral relations committee and an expanded role for deacons, and to offer honorary membership to those persons who for extenuating circumstances need to maintain ties with another church, yet regularly worship and participate at Zion, and add the words “of Tremont” to our official church name.
It reaffirms out historic commitment to justice and peace, and opens our membership to “all persons who seek the love of God and desire to live in covenant relationship with us as faithful disciples of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” – regardless of race, color, ethnic origin, ability, gender, age, sexual orientation and identity. The Church adopted the new Constitution on April 6, 1997.
We humbly acknowledge that we face many challenges as the 20th century draws to a close and a new century and millennium is waiting to be birthed. Financial obligations, the need to grow spiritually and numerically, and the challenge to continue and more deeply embody a tradition of welcome and inclusivity – all call for our ongoing response. What the future holds for certain we do not know. But we do believe, trust in, and give thanks to the One who holds together past, present and future. To God be the glory for God’s initiative and ongoing love to us and all humanity! Amen.
From Waechter und Anzeiger Newspaper, 1902:
Zion Evangelical Protestant Church, located at Jennings and Branch Avenue, and which is one of the strongest German congregations in the city, is a daughter of the Stempel Church on the West Side. The congregation was established on January 1, 1867 in Schneeberger’s Hall by about 40 families, and it received the name of “The German Evangelical Protestant Church of University Heights.” No sooner had this happened but a lot was obtained at the corner of Tremont and College Street for the sum of $400, and a little church built there, whose cornerstone was laid on May 12, 1867 in the presence of Pastor Stempel and Pastor P. Schroeck of South Brooklyn. Pastor Bauer was called as first preacher and entered his office on September 15, 1867. He served the congregation until August, 1868, when Pastor Bochert was called to be his successor. He was no special compliment to the office of a Protestant preacher, and one fine November Sunday in 1871 the congregation shut the door in his face and fired him. Pastor O. Schettler of Martinstown, Indiana, was called. Under his action, he bought the lot at Jennings and Branch Avenue for $8,000. In 1873 the little church at the corner of Tremont and College Street was removed and taken to Jennings and Branch Avenue where it was for many years. Another building was purchased in which a parish school was established. The congregation grew until the throat ailment of the minister compelled him to resign in 1878. During his service the church became a member of the German Evangelical Synod of North America, where it still remains. The name was changed to Zion Evangelical Protestant Church.
Pastor Schettler’s successor was Pastor A. Klein who was with the congregation for five years. Due to a nervous ailment, he asked for a vicar in 1883 from the directory of preachers of the German Evangelical Synod of North America. His request was honored and Theophil Leonhardt was sent. At the same time, Pastor Klein received a call from Germany, so that he resigned on Sept. 2, 1883. Rev. Leonhardt was elected as future pastor and he still practices as pastor today. It was then necessary to build a new larger church and to use the old one as a schoolhouse. The costs were determined to be $25,000. A brick structure was raised on a plan by architect Mitermueller. Consecration took place on February 1, 1885. Currently 700 families belong to this church. The Sunday School has more than a thousand pupils and the confirmation class has 152 children. Pastor Theophil Leonhardt was born on February 8, 1853 in Hohenstaufen in Wurttemberg. He immigrated to America in December of 1880 and took over the second teacher’s position in the German Protestant Orphanage in St. Louis, MO, in February, 1881 and entered the preacher’s seminary on September 2 of the same year, where he took theology for two years before taking an examination.
Zion Church's website is at www.zionchurch.org
1867 - 1868 - Evangelical United Church - Jennings and Branch, Rev. A. Bauer
1868 - 1871 - Evangelical United Church - Jennings and Branch, Rev. G. Bochert
1871 - 1876 – Evangelical United Church – Jennings and Branch, Rev. Otto W. Shettler
1877 - 1879 – Zion’s Church – Jennings and Branch, Rev. O.W. Schettler
1878 - 1883 – Zion’s Church – Jennings and Branch, Rev. Albert Klein
1883 - 1906 – Zion’s Church – Jennings and Branch, Rev. Theophil Leonhardt
1908 - 1913 – Zion’s Church – W. 14th and Branch, Rev. Theophil Leonhardt
1914 - 1916 - Zion's Church - W. 14th and Branch, Rev. T. Thomas
1916 - 1921 – Zion’s Church – W. 14th at Branch, Rev. B.F. Wulfman
1922 - 1950 – Zion’s Church – W. 14th at Branch – Rev. Otto Wittlinger
1951 - 1965 - Zion's Church - W. 14th at Branch - Rev. C.E. Kiewit
1965 - 1971 - Zion's Church - W. 14th at Branch - Rev. B.B. Hanscom
1971 - 1982 - Zion's Church - W. 14th at Branch - Rev. Kenneth Rankin
1982 - 1983 - Zion's Church - W. 14th at Branch - Rev. William Shackleford
1984 - 1990 - Zion's Church - W. 14th at Branch - Rev. Norman Thresher
1991 - Zion's Church - W. 14th at Branch - Rev. Scott Rosenstein
1991 - 1995 - Zion's Church - W. 14th at Branch - Rev. Norman Thresher
1995 - ???? - Zion's Church - W. 14th at Branch - Rev. Beulah Knieriem
1995 - 2002 - Zion's Church - W. 14th at Branch - Rev. Scott Rosenstein
2002 - ???? - Zion's Church - W. 14th at Branch - Rev. Joyce Morris
UNITED EVANGELICAL PROTESTANT CHURCH
1871 - 1874 – United Evangelical Protestant – Professor and Pelton, Rev. G. Bochert
1871 – United Evangelical Protestant Church – College and Tremont, Rev. G. Bochert
1872 – 1874 – United Evangelical Protestant Church – College and Tremont, Rev. O. Schuettler
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
United Church of Christ
Founded in 1957 when the Evangelical and Reformed Church united with the Congregational Christian Churches. The Evangelical and Reformed Church was formed in 1934 by the merger of the Reformed Church in the United States and the Evangelical Synod of America. The Congregational Christian Church was formed in the 1800s.
Archives of the United Church of Christ
700 Prospect Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44115
http://www.ucc.org/
kellyb@ucc.org