PRESBYTERIAN

The Presbyterian Historical Society in Philadelphia has a great database that tells you the genealogy of various Presbyterian Churches. http://www.history.pcusa.org/collections/research-tools/halls-index-american-presbyterian-congregations

Presbyterian Historical Society

425 Lombard Street

Philadelphia, PA 19147

Phone: 215-627-1852

Email: refdesk@history.pcusa.org

It might also be worth contacting the Princeton Theological Seminary in New Jersey as well:

http://www.ptsem.edu/default.aspx

The Presbyterian Church established itself in the Cleveland area in 1807. It originated in the 1500's during the Protestant Reformation and followed the teachings of John Calvin of Switzerland and John Knox of Scotland. The Presbyterian Church in Cleveland is closely linked to the Congregationalists. The two earliest Presbyterian Churches in Cleveland were First Presbyterian Church of East Cleveland organized in 1807 and First Presbyterian Church organized in 1820, also known as the Old Stone Church.

BECKWITH CHURCH

In the summer of 1888, Euclid Avenue Congregational Church started a Sunday school for Italian children and adults in an orchard near Lake View Cemetery. It used the Lakeview Congregational Church as its base until 1904, and rented a hall after that. Due to financial difficulties, the Congregationalists turned the mission over to the Second Presbyterian Church in 1906. The Presbyterians dedicated a church for Italians at the corner of Murray Hill Rd. and Paul Street in 1907. They named it St. John's Beckwith Memorial Church it had received a bequest from T. Sterling Beckwith to establish it. St. John’s was independent until 1922 when it encountered financial problems and it was then placed in the charge of the Italian Mission Committee of the nearby Church of the Covenant. The Church of the Covenant severed relations with St. John’s Beckwith in 1955, but the Italian Protestant church was able to operate independently until 1961 or 1962, when the Presbyterian Church officials dissolved it. The property was sold in 1963.

From: History of Cleveland Presbyterianism by Rev. and Mrs. Arthur Clyde Ludlow, 1896

Mr. T.S. Beckwith, for many years an Elder of the Second Presbyterian Church, who died March 25, 1876, made by will the provisions for the erection of a church, or churches in Cleveland, which should bear his name.

“I give and bequeath to the Session of the Second Presbyterian Church my Coal Stock in the Cleveland, Pittsburgh & New York Coal Co., to be held by them in trust, and the dividends to be by them reinvested without spending any of it until the income from it shall amount to ten thousand dollars, then the said Session shall build a church with said income of ten thousand dollars, in which the pews shall be forever free to all. The said Session shall then engage a pastor to preach in said church, and shall pay his salary, or such part of it as the congregation shall fail to pay, from the income from the coal stock. The stock, or the value of it if the Company should dissolve, shall be kept forever as a fund to support the pastor of said church, or the pastors of the churches hereinafter described, and to build said churches. The church to be located where the Session think that it will do the most good, in the city of Cleveland. The church shall be called the Beckwith Church so long as it shall be supported in whole or in part by this fund. When the church becomes able to support itself in whole or in part, then the Session shall build another church at the same cost, as soon as they are able, with the income from the stock, and hire a pastor, as before. The Session shall continue to do so forever. And in every instance the church shall be called the Beckwith Church of the street or district in which it stands.”

The session of the Second Church became an incorporated body, and accepted this trust. By the summer of 1883, a sufficient fund had accumulated to warrant beginning work upon a chapel, a lot on the corner of Fairmount and Deering Streets having been purchased by Mrs. Beckwith and deeded to the session of the Second Church for this purpose. By the close of 1884 the chapel was completed, and the Rev. Mattoon M. Curtis, pastor of the Reformed Dutch Church, of Hastings, NY, was invited to take charge of the work. He accepted, and entered upon his labors January 14, 1885, the chapel having been opened for its first service the previous Sunday, the Rev. E. Bushnell, treasurer of Adelbert College, preaching in the morning, and the Rev. C.S. Pomeroy, pastor of the Second Church in the evening. A Sunday school was organized the first Sunday that the chapel was opened, and has since been maintained. June 17, 1885, Beckwith Presbyterian Church was organized with 23 members. The Rev. Mattoon M. Curtis was elected and installed as pastor. The pastoral relation thus formed was continued until April 1, 1888, when it was dissolved at the request of Mr. Curtis, that he might study and travel abroad.

Steps were taken to immediately secure another pastor, and the Rev. James D. Williamson, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Warren, was called. He accepted and entered upon his work April 1, 1888. He was installed as pastor April 22, 1888 and still remains in that relation.

During the year 1889, the need of a church building in addition to the chapel began to be felt. The matter was brought before the Presbyterian union in January of 1890, and the Union recommended that the church be encouraged to apply to the churches for the $10,000, required to supplement their own exertions. The work of raising the amount required was immediately undertaken, but for a time with meager success. At length, however, the Second Church very generously responded to the need with a pledge for the entire $10,000, and the Society of the Beckwith Church, at a meeting held April 9, 1891, empowered the Building Committee to undertake at once the construction of the building. Plans prepared by Mr. Wm. W. Sabin were adopted, and the cornerstone was laid September 6, 1891. The church was completed in May, 1892 and cost about $26,000. Special mention should be made of the memorial organ, the gift of Mrs. Beckwith in memory of her son, and of the memorial window, the gift of Mr. Beckwith in memory of his father. This church is in close proximity to the educational center of Cleveland, and although Adelbert College is not a denominational institution, it is largely the product of Presbyterian money and devotion. Very fitting, then, is it that a Presbyterian Church has been located near this institution of learning, in which so much Presbyterian interest centers.

1887 – Beckwith Church – Fairmount at Deering, Rev. M.M. Curtis

1891 - 1898 – Beckwith Church – Fairmount at Deering, Rev. James D. Williamson

1908 – Beckwith Church – E. 107th at Deering, Rev. Albert Alexander

1921 – Beckwith Memorial (ITALIAN) – Murray Hill at Paul, Rev. Peter Monnet

BETHANY CHURCH

Today this church is at 6415 W. Clinton Avenue, Phone 216-651-0040

This church was spawned from the Old Stone Church and was founded in 1888. They first met in the Ohio Business University building at Pearl near Franklin Avenue. In 1890 they moved to the Wieber Block at the corner of W. 25th St. and Jay Avenue. In 1894 they purchased a lot at W. 65th and Clinton Avenue. The new church was dedicated on June 2, 1895.

From: History of Cleveland Presbyterianism by Rev. and Mrs. Arthur Clyde Ludlow, 1896

Bethany Presbyterian Church is the substantial expression of a desire for Presbyterian representation on the West Side, and is the last in a series of five attempts to accomplish that result. The first was in 1870 and was unsuccessful. The second was in 1873, when the Presbyterian Union undertook to accomplish it, but on account of the financial panic of that year the project was abandoned. The following year, 1874, a third attempt resulted in failure. A fourth attempt was made at a date now unknown, when regular Sunday services and other work were maintained for six months, and then abandoned. The fifth attempt resulted in the organization of Bethany Church.

This successful movement was inaugurated by the Presbyterian element residing on the West side, and in that respect differed from the preceeding efforts, to which reference has bee made. The first Sunday in January, 1888, forty children were gathered in the rooms of the Ohio Business University on Pearl Street, through the efforts of Mr. Charles Fay, then a member of the Old Stone Church. In this matter Mr. Fay had labored under the advice of the Rev. Wilton Merle Smith, then associate pastor of the First Church. A school was opened, increased rapidly, and at the end of six months had an enrollment of nearly 400.

At the same time that this work was begun, the Rev. Giles H. Dunning entered upon his duties as assistant pastor of the First Church, and at once took charge of the work. An afternoon service was finally established. Then followed requests for the organization of a Presbyterian church. The matter was reported to the session of the First Church, whereupon Mr. Dunning canvassed the West Side with the view of ascertaining the extent of this desire. The result of this canvass was such as to lead the pastor and elders of the First Church to feel that the time had come, at last, for the organization of a Presbyterian church on the West Side. Petitioners presented their formal request to the Presbytery of Cleveland to be erected into a church. The request was granted and Bethany Church was duly organized, July 2, 1889, in the rooms of the Ohio Business University. There were 61 charter members, 22 from the Old First Church, and the remainder from various other churches in the city. The church continued to worship in the rooms where it was organized until the following February, 1890, when it moved into attractive quarters in the new Wieber Block, corner of Pearl and Jay streets, which it leased for a term of 5 years.

April 1, 1894 the society purchased a lot, situated at the corner of Gordon Ave. and West Clinton St, at a cost of $4,000. The chapel, which has a stone front and brick side walls, was commenced September 29, 1894, and was dedicated June 2, 1895.

The Rev. Giles H. Dunning, who was identified with this work almost from the beginning, was called to the pastorate of the church immediately after its organization and entered his duties August 1, 1889. The first officers of the church were: Elders, Noah S. Amstutz, John Cameron, and George Taylor; Alexander W. Calder, though not an elder, was made Clerk of the Session; Trustees, James McLearie, President; Hugh Taylor, Secretary; T.W. Hunt, Treasurer; David Taylor, John Smith and James McKay.

1889 - 1894 – Bethany Church – 483 Pearl, Rev. Giles H. Dunning

1898 - 1902 – Bethany Church – Gordon at Clinton, Rev. Giles H. Dunning

1908 - 1921 – Bethany Church – Clinton at W. 65th, Rev. Wilbur Mickey

1924 - 1928 – Bethany Church – Clinton at W. 65th, Rev. Fred Harper

BOLTON AVENUE CHAPEL

From: History of Cleveland Presbyterianism by Rev. and Mrs. Arthur Clyde Ludlow, 1896

The Bolton Avenue Presbyterian Church, the youngest of the church organizations connected with the Cleveland Presbytery, is an outgrowth, or rather an extension of the collegiate system, under which the First Presbyterian church existed for a number of years. During the summer and fall of 1890, through the labors of Dr. Haydn, and others, a chapel was erected upon the rear of a lot, situated at the corner of Bolton and Cedar Avenues. The cost of the lot and chapel was wholly met by the two congregations of the First Church. This made the First Church a collegiate organization with three congregations, namely, the Old Stone, Calvary, and the Bolton Chapel. The first preaching service in Bolton Chapel was held the first Sunday in January, 1891. Services were regularly conducted by Dr. Haydn, the senior pastor of the First Church, and by the associate pastors, Reverends Burt E. Howard, Joseph H. Selden, and William Knight, until July, 1892, when the Rev. R.A. George was employed to take charge of the Bolton Chapel. During the years 1893-94, a new church edifice was erected. The cornerstone was laid on May 21, 1892, and the building was dedicated November 8, 1894. In the Spring of 1894, more than half of the members withdrew with Mr. George to form a Congregational Church. The cause of this division was the attempt, on the part of the officers of the First Church, to end the term of supply of Mr. George, who had never been installed as associate pastor, in the hope of securing a permanent pastor. A call was extended in June, 1894 to Rev. John S. Zelie, pastor of the Congregational Church at Plymouth, Conn., who the following month became associate pastor of the First Church, in charge of Bolton Chapel. The Chapel became strong enough to separate from the First Church. The independent church organization was formed May 3, 1896, when 171 members of the First Church withdrew by letter to form the Bolton Avenue Presbyterian Church. The same day, Rev. John S. Zelie was installed as first pastor.

1894 – Bolton Avenue Chapel – Bolton at Cedar, Rev. R.A. George

1896 - 1898 – Bolton Avenue Church – Bolton at Cedar, Rev. John Zelie

1902 – Bolton Avenue Church – Bolton at Cedar, Rev. Chauncey Goodrich

1908 – Bolton Ave. Church – E. 89th at Cedar, Rev. James Barnes

1921 – Bolton Ave. Church – E. 89th at Cedar, Rev. Elliott Field

BOULEVARD CHURCH

1898 - 1902 – Boulevard Church – Superior at Adrian, Rev. William Thomas

1908 – Boulevard Church – Superior at E. 107th, Rev. William Thomas

1921 – Boulevard Church – East Blvd. near Superior, Rev. Charles Shaw

1928 – Boulevard Church – East Blvd. near Superior, Rev. Wm. Hutchison

CALVARY CHAPEL

This church began about 1880. A wood-frame chapel was purchased and moved from E. 75th and Euclid Avenue to Euclid Avenue and E. Madison (E. 79). A larger stone church was begun in 1888 and dedicated in 1890. In 1923 the Bolton Avenue church was merged into Calvary.

From: History of Cleveland Presbyterianism by Rev. and Mrs. Arthur Clyde Ludlow, 1896

For some years prior to 1878, a Union Sunday school had been maintained on Euclid Avenue, beyond Willson Avenue, when the latter was the eastern boundary of the city. Members of several churches, were for many years interested in this mission work. The growth of churches in that direction, and the death of some of the workers led to the discontinuance of the school. In November, 1878, Dr. Haydn, pastor of the First Church, was invited to reopen the work. This invitation was accepted as a call of Providence. The new movement began with a weekly prayer meeting in the chapel, and this was followed by the organization of a Sunday school, which was effected January 1, 1880, with 73 persons present. The school grew in numbers to 250, and the old chapel having been turned over to the First Church, a lot was secured at the corner of Euclid and East Madison Avenues, upon which the chapel was moved. Rev. Rollo Ogden was called as assistant minister and the first Sunday of July, 1880, church services were commenced. For 12 years this organization was collegiate with the First Church. During this period the new chapel of stone was built and dedicated free of debt, September 30, 1883. The little wooden chapel, that faced Euclid Avenue, was used for a primary Sunday school, until an annex was built to the stone chapel. The relic of other days then gave way to the foundation of the elegant new church edifice, which now occupies the corner. This edifice, begun in the autumn of 1887, was occupied for the first time January 5, 1890. With the rapid growth of Calvary, it was deemed best to abandon the collegiate form of church life that had existed with the First Church. May 3, 1892, Articles of Incorporation were signed and filed. There were 311 charter members. On February 6, 1893, the church called its first pastor, Rev. David O. Mears of Worcester, Mass. Dr. Mears preached his first sermon April 23, 1893. On November 17, 1895, Dr. Mears offered his resignation.

1883 – Calvary Chapel – Euclid and Madison, Rev. Arthur Mitchell

1893 - 1895 – Calvary Church – Euclid at Madison, Rev. D.O. Mears

1898 – Calvary Church – Euclid at Madison, Rev. John Freeman

1908 – Calvary Church – Euclid at E. 79th, Rev. Thomas McWilliams

1908 - 1928 – Calvary Church – Euclid at E. 79th, Rev. Adelbert Higley

Today this church is at 2020 E. 79th Street, Phone 216-391-8448

CASE AVENUE CHURCH (AKA MEMORIAL CHURCH)

From: “History of Cuyahoga County” by Crisfield Johnson (1879):

Early in 1868 a subscription was opened among members of Euclid Street Church. A lot was bought on the corner of Sibley Street and Case Avenue and a wood chapel was erected. On October, 2, 1870, the Memorial Presbyterian Church was formed.

From: History of Cleveland Presbyterianism by Rev. and Mrs. Arthur Clyde Ludlow, 1896

The project of a new Presbyterian Church, in the vicinity of Case Avenue, had its rise among the members of the Euclid Avenue Presbyterian Church, under the pastorate of Dr. Lyman. It was deemed advisable to occupy the field in advance by the establishment of a Sunday School. Mr. and Mrs. Donley Hobart having obtained pledges enough to secure the regular attendance of a sufficient number of children to warrant the undertaking, two other members of the Euclid Avenue Church, Elders Truman Hastings and Dr. F.S. Slosson, were appointed to organize the school. On the first Sabbath of November, 1867, in a small brick grocery, the school was organized. There were the following teachers: J.D. Crehore, Donley Hobart, Mrs. Donley Hobart, Mrs. T. Hastings, Fred Whittlesey, Mrs. Fred Whittlesey and Mrs. Louisa J. Patterson. With an increase of scholars, the school removed from Ford’s Grocery, at the southeastern corner of Case and Cedar Avenues, to an unfinished dwelling on Case Avenue. Early in 1868, a subscription was opened for the purchase or lease of a suitable lot, and for the erection of a chapel. A lot was purchased on Sibley Street near Case Avenue and on this lot a wooden chapel was erected. On October 2, 1870, Memorial Presbyterian Church was organized with 34 charter members. The wooden chapel was soon outgrown, and the lot on the corner of Case and Cedar Avenues was purchased, and in 1872 the brick chapel built and occupied. Mr. Skinner continued to labor with this church, as stated supply, until some time in December 1873. December 22, 1872, the church issued its first pastoral call, sending the same to Rev. Francis A. Horton. Mr. Horton began his labors in February, 1874 and continued to March 25, 1883. During the years 1880-81, the present church edifice was built. Mr. Horton went from the Case Avenue Church (for the name was changed from Memorial to Case Avenue Presbyterian Church in 1878) to California. Rev. Rollo Ogden, who had been an associate pastor of the First Church, returned to Cleveland and was called to the Case Avenue Church and was installed April 29, 1883. He left the ministry on April 1, 1887. The church then called Rev. P.E. Kipp who was installed July 5, 1887. He labored in this church until November 15, 1894, when on account of the ill health of Mrs. Kipp, he was compelled to seek a milder climate. He accepted a call to a church in San Diego. The present pastor, Rev. Finley F. Kennedy, was called from Baltimore, MD and was installed May 7, 1895.

1871 - 1873 – Memorial Church – Sibley near Case, Rev. J.A. Skinner

1874 - 1883 – Case Avenue Church – Cedar near Case, Rev. Francis A. Horton

1883 - 1887 – Case Avenue Church – Case at Cedar, Rev. Rollo Ogden

1887 - 1894 – Case Avenue Church – Case at Cedar, Rev. Peter E. Kipp

1895 - 1898 – Case Avenue Church – Case at Cedar, Rev. Finley Kennedy

1902 – Case Avenue Church – Case at Cedar, Rev. Donald Grant

1908 – Case Avenue Church – E. 40th at Cedar

EUCLID STREET CHURCH

From: “History of Cuyahoga County” by Crisfield Johnson (1879):

This church was organized on January 25, 1853. About December 1851, a lot for a church was bought on the corner of Brownell and Euclid Streets. In August 1852 the cornerstone was laid. The lecture-room was first opened for public service on May 29, 1853.

From: History of Cleveland Presbyterianism by Rev. and Mrs. Arthur Clyde Ludlow, 1896

Owing to the overcrowded condition of the old First Church, the Euclid Street, now the Euclid Avenue Presbyterian Church, was organized in the spirit of good will, with 13 charter members from the mother church, among whom was the veteran Elisha Taylor, one of the founders of the First Church. On November 15, 1851, a subscription was started for the purpose of purchasing a lot or building a church, or both. By the 9th of December 1851, $10,000 was subscribed, and the 27th of the same month a building committee was appointed. The present site having been chosen, it was purchased of John M. Woolsey. The erection of a church edifice was begun in the summer of 1852, the cornerstone being laid in August of that year.

The church was duly organized January 25, 1853. February 1, 1853, a society was organized under the name of “The Euclid Street Presbyterian Church and Society of Cleveland.” During the year 1880 the corporate name was changed to “Euclid Avenue Presbyterian Church and Society of Cleveland.”

The lecture room was first opened for public worship May 29, 1853, when a sermon was preached by Rev. E.N.W. Sawtell, who acted as stated supply until the arrival of the first pastor, Rev. Joseph B. Bittinger. His first sermon in the church was April 9, 1854. On the 16th of October, 1862, the pastoral relation between Rev. Bittinger and the church was dissolved. For months prior to the event his ill health prevented him from taking any part in the care of the church. February 8, 1863, Rev. John Monteith was called to the pastorate. This relation was dissolved October 1, 1866. On December 1, 1867, Rev. Osman A. Lyman began his labors as stated supply, and February 17, 1868, he was called to the pastorate. He continued as pastor until his death on January 19, 1872. On February 18, 1873 a call was extended to Rev. Charles H. Baldwin. He continued as pastor until the following December. On October 26, 1874, a call was given to Rev. W.H. Jeffers. He was installed May 9, 1875 and continued until June 4, 1877. Rev. J.L. Robertson was installed December 26, 1877 and served until November 13, 1881. Rev. Wm. V.W. Davis was installed November 19, 1882 and resigned on April 15, 1887. The present pastor is Rev. Samuel Sprecher, installed May 29, 1887.

During these 43 years there have been frequent enlargements of the church. In the summer of 1891 the old chapel, which had been too small for the growing needs of the church, was torn down, and a much larger modern building was erected on the site. The cornerstone was laid in September, 1891 and the dedication was in January of 1892.

1854 – 1862 – Euclid Avenue Church – Euclid and Brownell, Rev. Joseph Bittinger

1863 – 1866 – Euclid Avenue Church – Euclid and Brownell, Rev. John Monteith

1867 - 1872 – Euclid Avenue Presbyterian – Euclid Ave. and Brownell, Rev. O.A. Lyman

1873 – 1874 – Euclid Avenue Church – Euclid Ave. and Brownell, Rev. Charles Baldwin

1874 - 1877 – Euclid Street Church – Euclid and Brownell, Rev. W.H. Jeffers

1877 - 1881 – Euclid Street Church – Euclid at Brownell, Rev. J.L. Robertson

1882 - 1887 – Euclid Avenue Church – Euclid at Brownell, Rev. W.V. Davis

1887 - 1902 – Euclid Avenue Church – Euclid at Brownell, Rev. Samuel Sprecher

1908 – Euclid Avenue Church – E. 107th near Euclid

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

This was the first Presbyterian Church in Cleveland. It was also known as “Old Stone Church”. It was formed on September 19, 1820 in the old log court house. The services were conducted in that building for the next two years, until the brick academy was built on St. Clair Street. It then removed to the third story of a brick building on Superior Street and remained there until the basement of the first stone church was completed. The first church building was completed and dedicated February 26, 1834. This was the Old Stone Church which stood until 1853. In the spring of 1853, the Stone Church was demolished to make room for a new church, which was soon burned down, and this was immediately replaced by the present church edifice. Today this church is at 91 Public Square, Phone 216-241-6145

http://www.oldstonechurch.org/

http://www.oldstonechurch.org/church_history.htm

Old Stone Church was born in the upper story of Cleveland's first log courthouse, a Public Square structure so primitive that historian Arthur Ludlow referred to it as "a place of advent almost as humble as the manger of Bethlehem." It was here in June of 1819 that a Union Sunday School, the forerunner of Old Stone Church, was established, and it was also here on September 19, 1820, that fifteen residents of the village of Cleveland (10% of the population) would sign the charter officially establishing the church. Residences and commercial properties have come and gone on Public Square in the ensuing years, but the one constant, the only continuing presence, has been The Old Stone Church.

The church was formally incorporated in 1827 as The First Presbyterian Society but the name by which it is better known, Old Stone Church, came later. In 1834 the first church was dedicated. The interior featured a gallery suspended by iron rods, the first reported use of iron in a Cleveland public building, and it contained Cleveland's first pipe organ. The site had been purchased for $400 and the building cost $9500. Because it was constructed of gray, rough-hammered sandstone, the church became known simply as the "stone church," as would its successor. Over the years other stone churches were erected, and thus First Presbyterian became the "old stone church."

By 1853, thanks to the rapid growth of Cleveland, the congregation outgrew its first home and the building was razed for a larger edifice. The new church, dedicated on August 12, 1855, was also made of native sandstone and was designed by renowned architects Charles Heard and Simeon Porter. The Romanesque Revival structure and adjacent parish house cost $60,000. Just nineteen months later, on Saturday morning, March 7, 1857, the new church suffered a devastating fire. A 100-foot stream of water from hand-pumped fire engines was unable to reach the 250' steeple which crashed onto Ontario Street. Because the walls were virtually intact and the building was insured, restoration immediately began. The restored church was dedicated on January 17, 1858.

The second disastrous fire to hit Old Stone occurred on January 5, 1884. The fire began in the adjoining Wick Building's Park Theater, apparently due to a gas explosion. At first, the fire was confined to the theater and it was thought that Old Stone's heavy brick-lined stone walls, slate roof and iron fittings might save the church this time. Intense heat eventually ignited the auditorium ceiling and soon the interior was a mass of flames. Since the fire again occurred on a Saturday, hurried preparations were made for Sunday's service, held at Plymouth Congregational Church. Rev. Dr. Arthur Mitchell's text was a masterful understatement, "Thou knowest not what a day may bring forth."

The second fire was perhaps harder for the congregation to bear. Their pastor was rumored to be leaving and four of the six church trustees died prior to or just after the fire. There arose a great debate within the congregation over retaining the historic site. Many members strongly urged a move to the E. 55th and Euclid Ave. area. In addition, outside pressure was being applied. The Cleveland Leader reported just four days after the fire that "Mssrs. Wick are still considering the hotel and theater scheme, and will probably carry it out if the site of the Stone Church can be purchased for a reasonable sum." They estimated that sum to be $80,000. Leading the battle to save the site were such influential members as Judge Samuel E. Williamson, John Foote, Flora Stone Mather and Col. John Hay, former secretary to Abraham Lincoln and later United States Secretary of State and Ambassador to China. The congregation finally voted to retain the site and begin reconstruction. Architect Charles Schweinfurth was hired to head the project. The restored church was dedicated on October 19, 1884, and a local report stated: "The heavy iron-hinged doors were thrown open, and all who thronged the service were dazzled by a scene of magnificence far exceeding their highest expectations."

Learn more about the history of Old Stone Church and the Presbytery of the Western Reserve at: http://www.preswesres.org/aboutus/history.html

1820 - 1822 - First Presbyterian - Ontario and Public Square, Rev. Randolph Stone

1822 - 1823 - First Presbyterian - Ontario and Public Square, Rev. William McLean

1823 - 1830 - First Presbyterian - Ontario and Public Square, Rev. S.G. Bradstreet

1831 - 1833 - First Presbyterian - Ontario and Public Square, Rev. Samuel Hutchins

1833 - 1835 - First Presbyterian - Ontario and Public Square, Rev. John Keep

1835 - 1861 - First Presbyterian - Ontario and Public Square, Rev. S.C. Aiken

1858 - 1874 – First Presbyterian – Ontario and Public Square, Rev. W.H. Goodrich

1872 - 1908 – First Church – Ontario and Public Square, Rev. Hiram C. Haydn

1880 - 1884 – First Church – Ontario and Public Square, Rev. Arthur Mitchell

1887 - 1908 – First Church – Ontario and Public Square, Rev. Hiram C. Haydn

1908 - 1921 – First Church – Ontario and Public Square, Rev. A.B. Meldrum

1924 – First Church – Ontario and Public Square, Rev. W.H. Foulkes

1928 – First Church – Ontario and Public Square, Rev. Robert Mark

GLENVILLE CHURCH

From: History of Cleveland Presbyterianism by Rev. and Mrs. Arthur Clyde Ludlow, 1896

Early in 1893, the Presbyterian union instructed Rev. William Gaston, pastor of the North Presbyterian Church, some of whose members lived in Glenville, to look into starting a church in that locality. He held a meeting in 1893 at the home of John Leighton on Ludwig Street. Thence followed a cottage prayer meeting, June 15, at Dr. Irwin C. Carlisle’s home on Doan Street. At that meeting, Henry P. Winter was appointed to act with Dr. Gaston in gathering a Sunday school. The first meeting of this school was held June 25, 1893, at the old brick schoolhouse located at the corner of St. Clair Street and Lake View Avenue, at which 43 persons were present. The school prospered and enjoyed the occasional preaching by Rev. Gaston, Rev. Charles Chalfant, and Rev. R.A. George. In October, 1893, the school rented the Glenville Disciple Church for Sunday afternoons and enjoyed preaching services by the above named ministers, and also, by Rev. Arthur Waugh, Rev. Professors Cleaveland and Curtis, Dr. Hall, Dr. Haydn, Dr. Bushnell, Rev. William knight, Rev. J.L. Roemer, Rev. Arthur C. Ludlow, Rev. John A. Seymour, and other members of the Presbytery.

This mission was organized into the Glenville Presbyterian Church, June 10, 1894. There were 36 charter members and Rev. Charles L. Zorbaugh was given charge of the work. In order to have morning services, the Town Hall was then engaged. In the meantime, two lots at the corner of Doan and Helena streets were secured. A fine chapel was erected due to the substantial gifts of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Mather, Mrs. And Mrs. L.H. Severance, Rev. H.C. Haydn, Judge Samuel Williamson, Mrs. C.W. Bingham, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Williams, Mr. Samuel Raymond, Mrs. Amasa Stone, and Mrs. D.B. Chambers. The church called as its first pastor, Rev. Theodore Yale Gardner.

1894 – Glenville Church – Doan at Helena, Rev. Theodore Yale Gardner

1902 – Glenville Church – Doan at Helena, Rev. Alexander Clokey

1908 – Glenville Church – E. 105th at Helena, Rev. Alexander Clokey

1924 – Glenville Church – E. 105th at Helena

1928 – Glenville Church – E. 105th at Helena, Rev. Arnold Bloomfield

Today this church is at 10504 Helena Avenue, Phone 216-451-8540

LAKE SHORE CHURCH - WELSH

1877 - 1879 – Lake Shore Church – St. Clair at McHenry and Lyman

1883 - 1891 – Lake Shore Church - St. Clair at McHenry and Lyman, Rev. William Harrison

1894 – Lake Shore Church – 1306 St. Clair

MADISON AVENUE

From: History of Cleveland Presbyterianism by Rev. and Mrs. Arthur Clyde Ludlow, 1896

The Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church is the outgrowth of a mission Sunday school, organized January 6, 1890, over a saloon on Becker Avenue, by Rev. William Gaston, pastor of the North Presbyterian Church. The Sunday school moved from the hall on Becker Avenue, March 30, 1890, to a little chapel on Lockyear Avenue, owned by a German church. In February, 1891, Rev. Alonzo Michael was secured to preach Sunday afternoons after Sunday school, but owing to ill health he resigned. In May 1891, Rev. James D. Corwin was appointed by the Presbyterian Union to take charge of the school, then known as the East End Mission,, devoting half of his time to this new work, and the other half to the South Side Mission, which became the South Presbyterian Church. Mr. Corwin accepted a call to the South Church in January, 1892. The 6th of the following May, Rev. Charles L. Chalfant took charge of the East End Mission under the direction of the North Church Session, and the 14th of September, 1892, the Presbytery granted a petition for a church organization, which was effected October 19, 1892. The church started with 90 charter members, of which number 64 came from the North Church. Rev. Charles Chalfant was called to the pastorate, and was installed November 10, 1892.

The Madison Avenue Church owes much to the generous friends in the First, Calvary, and North Presbyterian Churches for their aid in securing a building. Dr. Haydn raised over $9,000 in the First and Calvary Churches, and Dr. Gaston sent 65 members from the North Church, into the new organization. The church building, located at the corner of Wade Park and East Madison Avenues, was dedicated December 4, 1892. In the summer of 1894 the building was enlarged and improved.

The Boulevard Branch Sunday school is a missionary project of the Madison Avenue Church, undertaken with a view of providing religious instruction for the people living in the vicinity of Superior and Doan Streets.

1892 - 1894 – Madison Avenue Chapel – Madison at Wade Park, Rev. Charles Chalfant

1898 - 1902 – Madison Avenue Church – Madison at Wade Park, Rev. Alexander Jackson

NORTH PRESBYTERIAN

From: “History of Cuyahoga County” by Crisfield Johnson (1879):

This church had its origin in a mission work of the First Presbyterian Church. That work began on St. Clair street near the corner of Lyman in 1859. It was not until November, 1865 that regular worship was maintained there. In 1866, money was subscribed for the erection of a chapel on Marchant (now Aaron) street.

From: History of Cleveland Presbyterianism by Rev. and Mrs. Arthur Clyde Ludlow, 1896:

At the suggestion of Dr. Aiken, pastor of the First Church, a Sunday school was started in 1859 on the north side of St. Clair street near Lyman Street. At that time the community was called Wasonville, a name taken from the car shops owned by Charles Wason.

In 1860 the school moved to the south side of St. Clair Street, to a place now owned by the Lake Shore Welsh Church Society. Here the school continued until it entered a church, erected on Aaron street in the spring of 1867. This was its abiding place for 20 years, until it entered the present building on the corner of Case Avenue and Superior Street.

During this time the school has six superintendents: Charles W. Noble, 1859-1864; T.D. Crocker, 1864-1872; Henry Nash, 1872-1873; T.D. Crocker again, 1873-1874; H.S. Davis, 1874-1875; W.B. Porter, 1875-1876; L.J. Talbor, 1876-1879.

In 1879 Mr. S. P. Fenn was elected superintendent, and for almost 17 years he has been the superintendent of this school. As early as 1866, regular preaching services began at the mission, with Rev. Aaron Peck as supply for one year. Rev. B.P. Johnson supplied from 1867 to 1868; Rev. D.W. Sharts, from 1868-1870. The church was organized September 19, 1870. It started with 51 members, all of whom brought their letters from the First Church. The church was named North Church, after the old North Church in Boston. Rev. Anson Smyth was called as the first pastor. He remained two years. Dr. Smyth was succeeded by Rev. H.R. Hoisington, who was installed June 2, 1872 and remained until July 11, 1880. Dr. William Gaston, the present pastor, began his work on November 1, 1880. He has had valuable assistants, namely, Miss M.J. Weaver for nearly three years, Rev. Charles L. Chalfant for a few months, and Miss Anna C. Stevens for nearly two years.

Two Sunday schools have been started by the North Church, and have grown into promising churches. The Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church is the result of a mission started on Becker Ave., and the second mission was organized in an unoccupied school house in Glenville, July 3, 1893. This has grown into the Glenville Presbyterian Church.

The lot, corner of Case and Superior Streets, which the present North Church occupies, was purchased by the congregation at a cost of $10,000. The building was dedicated October 23, 1887.

1866 – 1867 – North Presbyterian – Aaron near Superior, Rev. Aaron Peck

1867 – 1868 – North Presbyterian, Aaron near Superior, Rev. B.P. Johnson

1868 – 1870 – North Presbyterian – Aaron near Superior, Rev. D.W. Sharts

1870 – 1872 - North Presbyterian – Aaron near Superior, Rev. Anson Smyth

1872 - 1880 – North Presbyterian – Aaron near Superior, Rev. Henry Hoisington

1880 - 1887 – North Church – Aaron near Superior, Rev. William Gaston

1887 - 1902 – North Church – Superior and Case, Rev. Wm. Gaston

1918 – North Church – Superior at E. 40th, Rev. H.L. Geddes

1918 - 1921 – North Church – Superior at E. 40th, Rev. Harvey Holt

1924 - 1930 – North Church – 4001 Superior, Rev. Harvey Holt

Today this church is at 4001 Superior Avenue, Phone 216-431-3726

SECOND PRESBYTERIAN

From: “History of Cuyahoga County” by Crisfield Johnson (1879):

This church was organized on June 12, 1844. The building first occupied stood nearly upon the site of the present jail, on the lot west of the county courthouse, on Rockwell Street. It was used until a larger church edifice on Superior Street was erected. On Oct. 9, 1876, the church building on Superior was consumed by fire. Sunday services were moved to the opera house on Euclid Avenue and thereafter to Case hall. A plot of land was purchased at the corner of Prospect Street and Sterling Avenue and on July 12, 1877, the cornerstone was laid.

From: History of Cleveland Presbyterianism by Rev. and Mrs. Arthur Clyde Ludlow, 1896

The Second Presbyterian Church was organized June 12, 1844, on the old charter of 1837, at which time an unsuccessful attempt had been made to form a church. June 4, 1844, a preliminary meeting had been held in the session room of the First Church. They resolved the following:

1. When we organized ourselves into a church it be styled “The Second Presbyterian Church of Cleveland.”

2. We adopt a similar form of government as at present held by the First Church.

3. That Rev. S.B. Canfield of Ohio City is our first choice to act as pastor.

A meeting was held June 12, 1844, and 58 members were enrolled, of whom all but five were received from the First Church. Two days later the officers met to extend a call to Rev. Sherman B. Canfield to become pastor of the church.

The house of worship which had been built by an organization known as the First Congregational Church, located at the northwest corner of the Public Square, was purchased for $3,200, and there the Second Presbyterian Church commenced its services.

Mr. Canfield accepted the call of the church and was installed as pastor on September 3, 1844. On September 8, the Sunday school was organized. The pastorate of Rev. Canfield continued for nearly ten years. Mr. Canfield was not a rugged man physically, but he was a man of sterling mental and spiritual qualities. During his pastorate there were added to the church 349 members.

In the Spring of 1850, a lot was purchased on the south side of Superior Street, east of the Public Square, the site of the present “Crocker Block”, and arrangements were made to construct a new house of worship. The old edifice was sold to the Second Baptist Church, and it was removed to the corner of Erie Street and Central Avenue.

On April 23, 1854, Dr. Canfield was, at his own request, dismissed from the church to accept a call to the First Presbyterian Church of Syracuse, NY. On September 27, 1854, a call was extended to Rev. James Eells, of Penn van, NY, to become pastor of the church. He accepted and was installed January 24, 1855. In 1860, on account of the ill health of Mrs. Eells, Mr. Eells asked for a dismission. He went to the Reformed Church on the Heights in Brooklyn NY. In March 1861, a call was issued to Rev. Theron H. Hawks of West Springfield MA and was accepted. During the pastorate of Dr. Hawks, extending over a period of 7 years, 200 persons were added to the church. On April 26, 1868, Dr. Hawks was, at his own request, dismissed from the pastorate. For a year and a half after his departure, the church had been engaged in fruitless efforts to secure a satisfactory successor, when a correspondence was opened with Dr. Eells. This resulted in extending to him a call to become a second time pastor of the church. The second pastorate of Dr. Eells was destined to be short. The health of the pastor became impaired through excessive labor, and in September 1871, Dr. Eells expressed his fear that he might be obliged to resign. Leave of absence for six months was granted, and it was hoped that rest and a change of climate might bring relief. In the Spring of 1872 he resumed his pastoral work, but a year later was compelled to resign, and on June 22, 1873, he was dismissed from his pastorate. He died on March 7, 1887 and the funeral services were held in the Second Church, which he loved, and his mortal remains lie in Lake View Cemetery. A unanimous call was issued from the church to Rev. Charles S. Pomeroy. He was installed on June 22, 1873.

About four o’clock on the morning of October 9, 1876, the church edifice took fire from a cinder brought by the wind from a fire in a distant part of the city, and in a few hours all but the lecture room was in ashes. Arrangements were made for services on the Sabbath in the Opera House, and then in Case Hall. So large a number of members had moved to the eastern part of the city since the construction of the burned church that it was decided to sell the lot on which it had stood, and build a new church farther up town. A lot was therefore purchased on the northwest corner of Prospect Street and Sterling Avenue, and energetic efforts were at once made to erect upon it a new edifice. This was completed in the autumn of 1878.

For 21 years Dr. Pomeroy ministered to the Second Church. He died September 10, 1894. The pulpit was vacant for some months, but a selection of a pastor was made in the call of Dr. Paul F. Sutphen, formerly pastor of the Woodland Avenue Presbyterian Church.

1844 – 1854 – Second Presbyterian – Superior opposite Wood, Rev. Sherman Canfield

1855 – 1860 – Second Presbyterian – Superior opposite Wood, Rev. James Eells

1861 – 1868 – Second Presbyterian – Superior opposite Wood, Rev. Theron Hawks

1869 - 1872 – Second Presbyterian – Superior opposite Wood St., Rev. James Eells

1873 - 1877 – Second Presbyterian – Superior opposite Wood, Rev. Charles S. Pomeroy

1879 - 1894 – Second Church – Prospect at Sterling, Rev. Charles S. Pomeroy

1894 - 1902 – Second Church – Prospect at Sterling, Rev. Paul F. Sutphen

1918 - 1921 – Second Church – Prospect at E. 30th, Rev. Paul Sutphen

SOUTH PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

3170 Scranton Road

Architect was F.S. Barnum and Company.

Mentioned in the Ohio Architect and Builder in June of 1904

Mentioned in the Cleveland Plain Dealer 10/16/1904

This church was first South Presbyterian Church. The original frame church was built in 1891. The current building was built in 1904. This church then became Holy Trinity Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church, founded in 1952. It then became Iglesia Bienvenida and finally became Mega Church.

From: History of Cleveland Presbyterianism by Rev. and Mrs. Arthur Clyde Ludlow, 1896

The history of the South Presbyterian Church is the history of the organization and growth of a Mission Sunday School. In the fall of 1890, Rev. William Gaston, pastor of the North Presbyterian Church, preached three times to a little gathering of people on the South Side, who seemed desirous of organizing a Sunday School, if not a church, and during October of that year, under the leadership of Rev. Alonzo Michael, a hall was rented for Sunday school purposes. January 1, 1891, the newly organized school moved into the Benhoff Block on Pearl Street. The necessity of a church organization was soon felt. Rev. Alonzo Michael was a Presbyterian minister living on the South Side, without any regular charge by reason of ill health, and not being physically able to assume the full responsibility of such a new work, the Presbyterian Union engaged, in May, 1891, Rev. James Corwin to take charge of this work, in connection with that of the Madison Avenue, or East End Mission. Mr. Corwin was a native of Cleveland, a member of the Woodland Avenue Presbyterian Church, and a recent graduate of Adelbert College, and of Princeton Seminary. Steps were taken by Mr. Corwin toward the erection of a church edifice. The Mission in the meantime had been crowded out of the rooms in the Benhoff Block, and had moved into the rooms of the Funeral Reform Association on Pearl Street. A lot situated at the corner of Scranton and Prame was purchased, and upon it the present church building was erected. The first religious meeting was held New Year’s Day, 1892. At the previous fall meeting of the Cleveland Presbytery, permission had been given to form a Presbyterian Church, and January 21, 1892, the Presbyterial Committee duly organized the South Presbyterian Church. A call was issued to Mr. Corwin, who up to this time, had divided his labors between the two mission projects, then under care of the Presbyterian Union. Mr. Corwin was installed pastor on May 3, 1892, but his ministerial career was soon cut short. After a brief illness of typhoid fever, he died September 26, 1892. Rev. Mr. Michael, died June 3, 1893. The present pastor, Rev. John L. Roemer, was installed April 19, 1893.

South Presbyterian Church moved to 6155 Pearl Road in Parma Heights, Ohio.

Phone: 440-885-2652

http://www.parma-south.org/history.htm

The history of Parma-South is the history of two congregations, Parma Presbyterian Church and South Presbyterian Church, that merged into one.

The first settlers arrived in the Parma-Parma Heights area in 1816. By 1835 the population was great enough to warrant the creation of an organized church. On November 7, 1835, Rev. Aiken of the First Presbyterian Society of Cleveland (Old Stone) met with residents of Parma Township who knew "that unless a church were founded soon, the community would not be a fit place to rear their families." That day twelve people joined what was to become the First Congregational Church and Society of Parma, popularly known as the Parma Congregational Church. (In the early 1800's Presbyterian and Congregational churches entered a joint union whereby Presbyterian ministers could serve Congregational churches and Congregational ministers could serve Presbyterian churches. The Parma church was under the care of the Presbytery, but was formed as a Congregational church because the majority of its members were Congregationalists.)

Services were first held in a log meeting house that stood where the Parma Heights Cemetery is located. By 1841 a church had been built on property donated by Amos Denison. In fulfillment of an earlier promise by the General Assembly, The Parma Congregational Church became The Parma Presbyterian Church in 1874. That same year the church building burned to the ground. Until a new church could be built, members met in the Temperance Hall. The membership decided to relocate to land further south along Pearl Road, the current property, purchased jointly by the church and the Templars. A white frame building was erected at the northern most point of the property in 1900. The Rev. Howard B. Withers, Parma-South's longest tenured pastor to date, was called to serve in 1929. Until his arrival, the Parma church had twenty-nine ministers, serving anywhere from a few months to 14 years. During periods when no pastor was assigned, elders preached or supply ministers were provided. In 1933 a Sunday school unit was built. Today, it houses offices and the social hall.

Meanwhile, the South church was forming. In 1892, two years after first meeting as a Sabbath School, it was officially organized as the South Presbyterian Church. Services were held in a newly built edifice on Scranton Avenue. By 1905 the membership had increased so much that a new building was built and dedicated. The South Church flourished for another twenty years, but then ethnic changes in the neighborhood led to a steady decline in membership. In 1937, with approval from Presbytery, the South Presbyterian Church merged with the Parma Presbyterian Church, forming Parma-South Presbyterian Church. The pastor of the South Church requested a dissolution of pastoral relation upon consummation of the union, and the Rev. Dr. Howard B. Withers of the Parma Church assumed the pastorate of the newly merged congregation. Dr. Withers served the congregation from 1929 to 1966.

Parma-South grew tremendously over the next decade. In 1950 additional land was purchased and the manse was sold which provided space and funds for a new sanctuary. On June 10, 1951, the current sanctuary was dedicated. Five years later an addition to the educational structure was added and in 1974 the current office area was constructed, the latter under the supervision of Dr. Meakin, Dr. Wither's successor.

(Source, A Living Christian Heritage, 1985)

1892 – 1892 – South Church – Scranton, Rev. James Corwin

1893 - 1898 – South Church – Scranton at Prame, Rev. John L. Roemer

1902 - 1908 – South Church – Scranton at Prame, Rev. George Mackintosh

1918 – South Church – Scranton at Prame, Rev. Clarence Gee

1921 – South Church – Scranton at Prame, Rev. Harry Bergen

1924 – South Church – 3166 Scranton, Rev. Harry Bergen

1928 – South Church – Scranton at Prame, Rev. Francis Hall

UNITED PRESBYTERIAN

From: “History of Cuyahoga County” by Crisfield Johnson (1879):

This society was organized November 5, 1843 at the corner of Superior and Seneca Streets. In about 2-3 years a house of worship was built at the corner of Michigan and Seneca Streets. In 1853, the present church edifice was built on Erie Street near Huron Street.

1849 – 1861 – United Presbyterian – Erie near Huron, Rev. J. McGill

1862 – 1863 – United Presbyterian – Erie near Huron, Rev. J.S. McConnell

1866 - 1870 – United Presbyterian – Erie near Huron, Rev. D.M.B. McLean

1872 - 1875 – United Presbyterian – Erie near Huron, Rev. H.A. McDonald

1876 - 1879 – First United Presbyterian – Erie near Huron, Rev. John L. Aten

1883 – First United Presbyterian – Erie near Huron, Rev. J.M. French

1891 – First United Church – Erie near Prospect, Rev. R. A. George

WELSH PRESBYTERIAN

1874 – Welsh Presbyterian – Elm and Church, Rev. William Harrison

1879 - 1883 – Welsh Church – Canon at Elm, Rev. Wm. Harrison

WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERAN CHURCH

From: History of Cleveland Presbyterianism by Rev. and Mrs. Arthur Clyde Ludlow, 1896

In March, 1853, the “Executive Committee” of the Old School Presbyterian Church sent Rev. Frederick Brown to Cleveland to inquire into the practicability of organizing a church of that type. The report being favorable, 26 members were gathered and organized a church January 1, 1854. At first the meetings were held in Temperance Hall on Ontario Street; then Mr. Brown bought the old “Round Church,” formerly occupied by the Millerites, corner of Wood and Theresa Streets. Here for several years Mr. Brown, an able man, ministered. Upon a list of subscribers to a fund for the building of a new church, are found the names of some of the most prominent men in the city at that time. The church was incorporated as “Westminster” (Old School Presbyterian) church, of Cleveland on December 12, 1855.

A house of worship was erected at the corner of Prospect and Huntington Streets in 1858, and Mr. Brown continued his ministrations until during the war in 1861, when he left to accept the Chaplainship of the Seventh Ohio Regiment, and went through the campaign in West Virginia. On his return he resigned and was succeeded by Rev. Moses A. Hoge, who labored until September 10, 1865. In April, 1866, the Rev. S.P. Lynn was called. He served until April, 1867, and was succeeded by Rev. V.A. Lewis, who served until the early part of 1869. On the first Sabbath of April, 1870, the Rev. E.B. Raffensperger took charge of the church.

The Old and the New School Presbyterian Churches having united, an effort was made by the Cleveland Presbytery to strengthen this enterprise. The church increased in strength, but many of its members having moved near the new Memorial, now Case Avenue Church, and the church occupying the same field as that of the Euclid Avenue Church, Mr. Raffensperger finding the existence of a debt, of which he was not aware when he was installed, resigned, and closed is labors March 30, 1873.

April 20, 1874, Rev. James A. Skinner, formerly in the Case Avenue Church, was elected pastor, but was never installed. April 16, 1875, the Westminster Church was disbanded by order of the Presbytery, and the property was sold to pay the existing debts. The building passed into the possession of the Methodist Church. It was moved to the present site of the Epworth Memorial M.E. Church, where it was used until the present structure was erected.

1855 – 1861 – Westminster Presbyterian – Rev. Frederick Brown

1861 – 1865 – Westminster Presbyterian – Rev. Moses Hoge

1866 – 1867 – Westminster Presbyterian – Rev. S.P. Lynn

1867 - 1869 – Westminster Presbyterian – Prospect and Huntington, Rev. V.A. Lewis

1870 - 1873 – Westminster Presbyterian – Prospect and Huntington, Rev. E.B. Raffensberger

1874 - 1875 – Westminster Presbyterian – Prospect and Huntington, Rev. J.A. Skinner

WILLSON AVENUE CHURCH

From: History of Cleveland Presbyterianism by Rev. and Mrs. Arthur Clyde Ludlow, 1896

The Willson Avenue Church had its origin in a Union Sunday school enterprise, not many rods from the spot where the present edifice stands. A small chapel was started in the month of February, 1874. There were five trustees in charge of the enterprise. Three were members of the Disciple Church, one was a Methodist, and one was a Presbyterian. On the 12th of April following, the new building was occupied for the first time. In the month of March, 1877, the Second Presbyterian Church was attracted to the field, purchased the property, and carried on the work under Presbyterian auspices.

At the time of this change, Mr. Dan P. Eells became superintendent of the school. There was a large infant class taught by Mrs. Charles H. Beardslee. Additions were made from time to time to the chapel, which became crowded to its utmost capacity. Preaching services began to be held quite regularly. Rev. H.R. Hoisington held such services in the fall of 1879. Beginning with May, 1880, Rev. J.H. Steward preached regularly for about five months. After his departure, Rev. J.H. Laughlin occupied the pulpit for nearly 9 months. He was succeeded by Rev. Carlos Chester. Mr. Chester had not labored many months before the Presbytery organized the little community of believers into a church. This took place the 21st of March, 1882. There were 23 charter members. A week later, 25 more came into the church. Rev. Chester was formally installed as pastor on May 14, 1882.

Mr. Eells saw the pressing need of a larger building. He purchased a lot on Willson Avenue at the corner of Lexington, and entered upon the erection of a church. The cornerstone was laid in August, 1883. Mr. Chester continued as pastor until November 1, 1889, when he resigned. During the following interim, Rev. E. Bushnell supplied the pulpit for some weeks. Rev. Arthur J. Waugh was called to the vacant pulpit and began his labors on April 1, 1890.

1882 - 1889 – Willson Avenue Church – Willson at Payne, Rev. Carlos T. Chester

1890 – Willson Avenue Church – Wilson at Lexington, Rev. Arthur Waugh

1894 – Willson Avenue Church – Wilson at Mathew, Rev. Arthur Waugh

1898 – Willson Avenue Church – Wilson at Mathew, Rev. Frank S. Arnold

1902 – Willson Avenue Church – Wilson at Mathew, Rev. Wm. Hollister

WOODLAND AVENUE CHURCH

From: “History of Cuyahoga County” by Crisfield Johnson (1879):

This society was organized on April 18, 1872. The chapel was built before the church was formed, and was dedicated in May, 1872. During 1879, the society erected the new church edifice located on the corner of Woodland Avenue and Kennard Street.

From: History of Cleveland Presbyterianism by Rev. and Mrs. Arthur Clyde Ludlow, 1896

In 1855, the Mayflower Sunday School, which had been organized two years before, was adopted as a Mission of the Second Presbyterian Church, and a building was erected on a lot, given by Mr. Joseph Perkins of the Euclid Avenue Presbyterian Church. Reverends Little and Day preached, and otherwise fostered this work, which issued at last in the formation of the Woodland Avenue Presbyterian Church. The first step toward the organization of this church was taken at a small meeting in the Autumn of 1870. The lot was purchased and the work on the building commenced the next summer. The lower room was ready for occupancy early in April, 1872 and the chapel was completed in May. The church was organized April 18, 1872, with 54 members. Of these, 28 were from Presbyterian Churches, chiefly from the Second Church, and 23 were from Congregational churches, chiefly from Plymouth Church.

The first pastor, Rev. E.P. Gardner, was installed June 30, 1872. In the spring of 1876, Mr. Gardner’s health failed, and he did not resume the ministry for several years. The second pastor, Rev. S. Leroy Blake, was called and installed December 12, 1877. He remained until March, 1880. The third pastor, Rev. George L. Spining, was called and installed June 16, 1881. He resigned October 2, 1885. The fourth pastor, Rev. Paul F. Sutphen, was called in January, 1886, and remained until December 11, 1892. He was succeeded by Rev. Charles Townsend in May, 1893 and remained two years. The church then called Rev. Robert Hutchins who was installed on October 22, 1895. The present church edifice was dedicated November 17, 1878.

1872 - 1877 – Woodland Ave. Church – Woodland and Kennard, Rev. E.P. Gardner

1877 - 1880 – Woodland Ave. Church – Woodland and Kennard, Rev. S.L. Blake

1881 - 1885 – Woodland Ave. Church – Woodland at Kennard, Rev. George L. Spining

1886 - 1892 – Woodland Ave. Church – Woodland at Kennard, Rev. Paul Sutphen

1893 - 1895 – Woodland Ave. Church – Woodland at Kennard, Rev. Charles Townsend

1895 - 1898 – Woodland Ave. Church – Woodland at Kennard, Rev. Robert Hutchins

1902 – Woodland Ave. Church – Woodland at Kennard, Rev. W.T. Wilcox

1908 – Woodland Ave. Church – Woodland at E. 46th, Rev. E. Melville Wylie

1918 - 1921 – Woodland Ave. Church – Woodland at E. 46th, Rev. Joel B. Hayden

1924 - 1928 – Woodland Ave. Church – Woodland at E. 46th, Rev. Frank Barry

UNITED PRESBYTERIAN

1913 – Brooklyn United Presbyterian – Pearl at Spokane

1918 – Brooklyn Church – Pearl at Spokane, Rev. A.V. Reid

1921 – South Brooklyn – Pearl Rd. at Spokane, Rev. W.S. Bamford

1913 – First Church – Carnegie at E. 71st, Rev. J.R. Milligan

1918 - 1921 – First Church – Carnegie at E. 71st, Rev. Joseph Giffin

1913 - 1918 – Fourth Church – Massie and E. 105th

1921 – Fourth Church – Massie and E. 105th, Rev. J. Shaw MacLean

1913 – Lakewood Church – Detroit at Lakewood Ave., Rev. Arnsworth Hope

1918 – Lakewood Church – Detroit at Lakewood, Rev. Johnston Calhoun

1921 – Lakewood Church – Detroit at Lakewood, Rev. W.A. Pollock

1913 – Second Church – Broadway near E. 71st, Rev. A.C. Mercer

1918 - 1921 – Second Church – Miles at E. 110th, Rev. W.H. Hubbell

1921 – Sixth Church – 4465 E. 138th, Rev. J.S. Milholland

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:

Presbyterian Historical Society

Montreat Office

P.O. Box 849

Montreat, NC 28757

www.history.pcusa.org

Presbyterian Historical Society

Philadelphia Office

425 Lombard Street

Philadelphia, PA 19147-1516

www.history.pcusa.org

Presbyterian Historical Center

12330 Conway Road

St. Louis, MO 63141