PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL

History of the Protestant Episcopal Church – 1896:

This Centennial year of the city of Cleveland is certainly a time to revive old memories of all those events contributing to its history in the past which have helped, we hope, to lay the sure foundations for its continued prosperity in the future.  Certainly, first among these memories should be the record of the churches, the houses of God in the land.

Among the very first of these stands the history of old Trinity parish.  Organized in 1816 by a few churchmen from the East, not satisfied to be deprived of the privileges by which their hearts had been nurtured in their youth, with its Book of Common Prayer and the Word of God, the church in Cleveland began its existence in 1816 on the ninth day of November, its organization being effected at the home of Phineas Shepherd, and for eight succeeding years its services were maintained by lay leaders.

At this period the church was almost unknown west of the Allegheny Mountains.  There was no diocesan organization or even missionary society connected with the Episcopal Church within the limits of the State of Ohio.

In March 1817, Rev. Roger Searle, from Connecticut, visited the parish, and to this pioneer undoubtedly Trinity owes her foundation and subsequent success.

The Rev. Silas I. Freeman took charge in 1826, and being duly commissioned, set forth to secure means towards erecting a church edifice.  Prior to this time, services had been held in the old log courthouse and in the Academy and the Free Mason’s Hall.

Western New York and Boston contributed liberally to the church in Cleveland.  A lot on the corner of Seneca and St. Clair streets was purchased for $250.  Sixty years later, says the first dean of the Cathedral, $50,000 for a new site was raised with less effort than it cost to raise $250.  The church erected on this lot was the first house of worship in Cleveland, and was built after a mixture of Tuscan, Doric and Ionic styles.  On the belfry were four wooden spires, and on each pinnacle a weather-cock of sheet iron was placed.  Fortunately, the iron birds refused to turn and were subsequently removed.  The exterior of the church was painted white, relieved by green blinds.  This building was consecrated on August 12, 1829, the Rev. Messrs. Freeman, Wing and Sanford assisting in the services.

In the year of 1828, February 12, the parish, although canonically organized, was legally incorporated by the State under the style of Wardens and Vestrymen of the Parish of Trinity Church.  In 1829 the Rev. Silas Freeman who at that day, by slow and laborious transit, was required to travel 228 miles per month to perform his missionary duties, resigned and removed to Virginia.  The parish was then placed in charge of Rev. W.N. Lyster, in deacon’s orders.

In this year (1829), he opened a parish Sunday school with 30 scholars.  In 1830, Rev. James McElroy became minister of Trinity, devoting three-fourths of his time to the parish, at a salary of $450.  During this year, a bell weighing 600 pounds was purchased.  It was recorded in the city paper that Mr. Lyster was the first minister in the West who wore the surplice, all missionaries preceding him, and even the bishop, wearing the Genevan black gown.

In 1832, Rev. Seth Davis, deacon, had charge of the parish.  During his ministry the church was enlarged by the method of cutting the building in two and placing a new piece 16 ½ feet long in the center.  Rev. Mr. Davis was succeeded in 1835 by the Rev. Ebenezer Boyden, of Virginia.  In September of this year, the Diocesan Convention assembled in Trinity Church.  During this year, a number of the ladies of Trinity applied for an obtained from the Legislature an act of incorporation for an institution styled the Cleveland Female Orphan Asylum, now a wealthy and flourishing corporation.

In 1837, Rev. Lyster for the third time took temporary charge of the parish and remained until April, when the Rev. David Burger was engaged to give temporary care, but soon resigned on account of ill health.  The Rev. Richard Bury, of Detroit, succeeded to the rectorship, August 15, 1839.  When he took charge, the parish was deeply in debt, reduced in numbers and otherwise in a declining condition.  He speedily infused new life, the debt was paid, and the number of members increased to such a degree that the establishment of a second parish was warranted.  In 1845, Mr. Bury organized Grace Church in the parlor of his rectory.

Thus, Trinity Church established the second church, with a weekly Communion.  The first church in the United States with the weekly Communion was established in Ohio at Ashtabula. 

Until the beginning of 1845, the parish was united and prosperous.  Then came disturbing influences, when Bishop McIlvaine was the leader of the newly-formed, self-styled evangelical party.  Rev. R. Bury resigned in 1846 and was succeeded by Rev. Lloyd Windsor, of Lockport, the tenth rector of Trinity.  It was before the close of his rectorate that it was determined to dispose of the property of Trinity and erect a more spacious edifice farther up town. 

Prior to completion of the new building, the Rev. James A. Bolles was called to succeed Dr. Windsor, who entered upon his duties in January, 1854.  The old church building was soon after destroyed by fire.  Dr. Bolles accepted a call from a free church in Boston.  The vestry of Trinity was unwilling to accede to his proposition to make their church a free one, and for that reason he left Trinity.

In 1859, Thomas A. Starky assumed the rectorship of Trinity.  Cleveland was then a city of about 45,000 inhabitants.  It was a fairly strong parish then and had always been sued to strong church teaching from its rectors.

Bishop McIlvaine was the friend always and the guest often of the Rev. T.A. Starky.  A year or two before the close of this rectorship, the brick chapel was erected in the rear of the church by the generosity of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel L. Mather.  This idea of the purchase or erection of a rectory, and the lot west of the church was bought for $10,000. 

This pastorate extended over a period of 9 years and a half, and it was at Easter-tide, 1869, after the war was over, that the farewell was said.  The Rev. Charles A. Breck took charge of the parish on the first Sunday in October, 1869, and was the first incumbent to occupy the new rectory.  He remained three years.  He was succeeded by the present Bishop of Chicago, Rt. Rev. W. McLaren, who remained in Trinity until 1875.  During his pastorate the Children’s Home was started.  The beautiful chapel of the Ascension, on the Detroit Road, was built by Dr. McLaren, assisted by Rev. Tandy Rucker.

Rev. John Wesley Brown succeeded the bishop and proved to be a most popular man.  Rev. Y.P. Morgan came to us on Ascension Day, 1882.  During his rectorship, the following events occurred:  Rev. Dr. Bolles was elected to the office of rector emeritus, a site for a new church on Euclid and Perry was bought and paid for, Trinity Church home was removed to more commodious quarters, the vested choir of men and boys was introduced, the Brotherhood Chapter of S. Andrew was organized, a new building was erected with the assistance of St. Paul’s parish for St. Peter’s Sunday school, the early celebrations on all Sundays and daily in Holy Week were made permanent institutions.  Sometime after our Bishop Leonard came to us, it was through the influence of Rev. Y.P. Morgan that Trinity Church was offered to him as his Cathedral. 

The present dean of the Cathedral, Rev. C.D. Williams, has been with us for four years.  During this time, the new Cathedral House has been built and Sunday school and church services carried on both up-town and down-town.  Old Trinity, at present, is carrying a heavy load, but the dear old ark is still seaworthy; she has weathered many a gale and stress of weather, and there are still seas and deep water on ahead.  Her pilot is the Lord of all, and the captain and noble crew, with eyes and hands uplifted to Him, are striving to steer past the rocks of difficulty into the channel of safe refuge for the future.

Our from Old Trinity, this beloved and benevolent mother, a good number of children have gone forth into the city of Cleveland.  It would be impossible to sketch the histories of the parishes of our town, but a detailed series of statistics may be found and examined at the Chapter Room of the Cathedral.

St. John’s Church, on the West Side, and St. Paul’s Church, corner of Case and Euclid Avenues, were among the first departures to independent life.  St. Mark’s and St. Mary’s and St. James’s followed; and as the years have gone forward the multiplication of churches has kept pace, until now Cleveland may number 24 Episcopal parishes and missions within her borders.  Their titles are herewith given as a Centennial fact:  Trinity Cathedral, St. John’s, St. Paul’s, Grace, St. Mary’s, St. James, Emmanuel, St. Andrews, for colored people; All Saints, St. Mark’s, St. Luke’s’, St. Matthews, Good Shepherd, St. Philip the Apostle, Ascension, Zion, Incarnation, The Holy Spirit, Atonement, The Redeemer, St. Andrews in the East, St. Paul’s, Collamer; Grace, Newburgh, and Christ Church, for Germans.  Connected with the Cathedral is the Bishop’s Chapel of the Transfiguration, at little Mountain.  In this city, on the corner of Prospect and Perry, has been built, attached to the new cathedral, the “Church Home.”  It was founded by a layman named Stubbs, and projected into life by Rev. Bolles.  It is in charge of Sister May, of the Order of St. John the Evangelist, of Brooklyn, N.Y.  Here the aged and friendless are cared for.

A fund for a cathedral orphanage is in the hands of the trustees of the diocese, and soon a building will be constructed. 

TRINITY PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH

2021 East 22nd

The first organized religious body within the village of Cleveland was Trinity Episcopal Church, organized in 1816 – later known as Trinity Cathedral.  Today this church is at 2230 Euclid Avenue or 2021 East 22nd.

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

Trinity Parish was organized on November 9, 1816 at the residence of Phineas Shepherd. 

In March, 1817, Rev. Roger Searle, a clergyman from Connecticut, visited Cleveland and reorganized the parish; there being 13 families and 11 communicants.  In 1820 the parish was located in Brooklyn where most of the members resided, but about 1822 it was moved back to Cleveland.  On February 12, 1828, the parish was legally incorporated.  A framed house of worship was begun in 1828 on the corner of Seneca and St. Clair streets.  It was consecrated on August 12, 1829 and was the first house devoted to the worship of God in the present city of Cleveland.  In 1852 the church lot was sold with possession agreed to be delivered on May 1, 1854.  But the building was destroyed by fire before that day arrived.  In 1853 a large stone house of worship was begun on Superior Street near Bond.  The new church was nearly completed in 1854. 

1817 - 1825 - Trinity - Rev. Roger Searle

1818 - 1825 - Trinity - Rev. Chase

1825 - 1830 - Trinity - Rev. Silas Freeman

1830 - 1832 - Trinity - Rev. McElroy

1832 - 1833 - Trinity - Rev. W.N. Lyster

1833 – 1834 – Trinity - Rev. Seth Davis

1835 – 1838 – Trinity – Rev. E. Boyden

1838 – Trinity – Rev. W.N. Lyster

1839 - Trinity - Rev. David Burger

1840 - 1846 - Trinity - Rev. Richard Bury

1846 - 1853 - Trinity - Rev. S. Windsor

1854 - 1860 - Trinity - Rev. James Bolles

1860 - 1870 - Trinity - Rev. Thomas Starkey

1869 – Trinity – Superior St. opposite Bond, Rev. N.F.B. Jackson

1870 - 1873 – Trinity – Superior opposite Bond, Rev. Charles Breck

1873 - 1875 – Trinity – Superior opposite Bond, Rev. W.E. McLaren

1876 - 1879 – Trinity – Superior and Bond, Rev. J.W. Brown

1883 - 1891 – Trinity – Superior and Bond, Rev. Y.P. Morgan

1887 - 1894 – Trinity – Superior and Bond, Rev. James A. Bolles

1894 - 1902 – Trinity Cathedral – Superior and Bond, Rev. Charles Williams

1908 – Trinity Cathedral – Euclid at E. 22nd, Rev. Frank DuMoulin

1913 - 1928 – Trinity Cathedral – Euclid at E. 22nd, Rev. W. A. Leonard

ALL SAINTS PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH

2845 Scranton or 1714 Mentor

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

All Saints Church is located on the south side of Vega Avenue, a few doors east of Columbus Street.  In the summer of 1855, services were held in that neighborhood by several of the clergy of Cleveland, but especially by the Rev. Lewis Burton.  In 1868 the first subscription was made for the purpose of building a church.  During the winter of 1869-70 cottage lectures were held at the residence of Mr. James Craig, in the schoolhouse at the corner of Wade Avenue and Mill Street and in the Hights’ Congregational Church.  On May 5, 1870, Dr. Burton was able to lay the cornerstone of the church building. 

This church started at Vega Avenue near Columbus in 1871.  In 1886, there was a Plain Dealer article stating that G.A. Cook will build the new All Saints’.  That was referring to the building at the corner of Scranton and Mentor (2845 Scranton Avenue).  A 1946 Plain Dealer article mentions the 75th Anniversary of the church.  It states that it was founded in 1871, a daughter church of St. John’s.  The last mention of this church at Scranton and Mentor was in the 1948 Plain Dealer.  A 1954 article states that “Bishop Burroughs dedicates new Episcopal church in Parma.”  That was at 8911 Ridgewood Drive.  The article states that the church started out at Scranton and Mentor and was sold several years ago.  It also mentioned that the church at Scranton and Mentor served the public for 75 years.

1855 - 1870 – All Saints – Rev. Lewis Burton

1871 – All Saints – Vega Ave. near Columbus, Rev. Wm. Lucas

1872 - 1875 – All Saints – Vega near Columbus, Rev. Lewis Burton

1875 - 1877 – All Saints – Vega near Columbus, Rev. John H. Burton

1877 - 1878 – All Saints – Vega near Columbus, Rev. Lewis Burton

1883 – All Saints – Vega near Columbus, Rev. Charles S. Ives

1887 – All Saints – Scranton at Mentor, Rev. John Keeble

1891 – All Saints – Scranton at Mentor, Rev. Nathaniel Cornwall

1894 – All Saints – Scranton at Mentor, Rev. Jay Cooke

1898 - 1908 – All Saints – Scranton at Mentor, Rev. Wm. R. Attwood

1913 – All Saints – Scranton at Mentor, Rev. T.G. McCalla

1918 - 1924 – All Saints – Scranton at Mentor, Rev. J.S. Banks

1928 – All Saints – Scranton at Mentor, Rev. James Midgley

CHRIST PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH (GERMAN)

From:  Jubilee Edition of Waechter und Anzeiger Newspaper 1902

Pastor Duerr, the founder and minister of Christ Episcopal Church on Orange Street for the period of nearly a quarter-century, has written the history of the congregation as follows:

In autumn, 1867, Bishop Bedell wrote me that he would like to interest the clerics of our church for a “German Mission”.  For this purpose, he gave me a letter of introduction.  Rev. J. Brooks, a brother of the later Bishop F. Brooks, now deceased, rector of St. Paul’s Church, agreed to the plan and took over total responsibility.  As a result, I began the German-English mission of St. Paul’s in the first week of 1868.  For three-quarters of a year I held divine services in a hall of the former stocking factory at the corner of Broadway and Cross Street, preaching German services in the morning and English in the evenings, which were both very well attended.  During the week the same place was used for a German-English school which soon had 50 and later 100 pupils.

In summer, 1868, not far from our place of meeting, the St. Luke’s Church was built, where we were able to move late in the year to continue this double mission.  Until Christmas, 1869, this was the birthplace of Christ Church, which was what it was called when it was constituted and incorporated in June of that year.  The congregation determined to buy land for a church, school and parsonage, and soon passed to building the first of these.  The cornerstone was laid on September 29, 1869 on Orange Street by Bishop Bedell.  At Christmas the Sunday School and later the church was ready enough for services to be held there.  The consecration took place only on November 19, 1871.

During the following year the parsonage and the tower to the church was built; the latter received a bell of 16 hundred-weight, which was joined by a single smaller one.  The total cost was $12,000 for all.  Soon, that noble philanthropist, Mrs. M.S. Bradford, bought a property to the south of the church and gave it to the congregation, a value of $8,000, so that soon the congregation has amassed a property of $20,000.

Material growth went hand in hand with spiritual growth so that the church often could not hold the congregation.  In 1889 poor health forced Pastor Duerr to resign.  A result of this and the impossibility of filling the gap quickly was a certain alienation among the members of the congregation.  For three years the congregation suffered from frequent changes of minister and the members declined.  In early 1892 Pastor Roland Ernst Grueber accepted a call and began serving in May of that year.  A major factor which prevented the settling of disputes at that time was that the change of bishops caused some disturbance as well in the liturgical concessions which had been made by Bishop Bedell, concessions which were reversed by his successor, Bishop Wm. A. Leonhard.  With the loss of Pastor Duerr, the congregation had to deal with much which was alien and hostile.  Mr. Grueber resigned before two years had passed.  His successor was Pastor D.D. Hefter.  Since November the current rector is J. Salinger Jr. 

1868 - 1889 – Christ Episcopal Church – Orange near Belmont, Rev. J.W.C. Duerr

1891 – Christ Church – Orange near Belmont, Rev. Karl Oppen

1892 - 1894 – Christ Church – Orange near Belmont, Rev. Roland E. Grueber

1894 – 1902 – Christ Church – Orange near Belmont, Rev. D.D. Hefler

1902 – Christ Church – Orange near Belmont, Rev. John Salinger

CHURCH OF THE ATONEMENT

7923 Kinsman

1898 – Church of the Atonement – 675 Kinsman, Rev. John Brown

1908 – Church of the Atonement – 7923 Kinsman

1913 – Church of the Atonement – 7923 Kinsman, Rev. W.S. Llewellyn Romilly

In 2024 this church was no longer standing.

CHURCH OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

8117 Wade Park

1898 – Church of the Holy Spirit – Wade Park at Commonwealth, Rev. Thomas Lyle

1902 – Church of the Holy Spirit – Wade Park at Commonwealth, Rev. A.C. Jones

1908 - 1918 – Church of the Holy Spirit – 8117 Wade Park, Rev. Russell Caulk

CHURCH OF THE INCARNATION

1898 – Church of the Incarnation – St. Clair, Glenville, Rev. Wemyss Smith

1902 – Church of the Incarnation – St. Clair, Glenville, Rev. Gerard Patterson

1908 - 1918 – Church of the Incarnation – St. Clair at Lake View Rd., Rev. Gerard Patterson

CHURCH OF THE REDEEMER

1898 – Church of the Redeemer – Superior at Almira, Rev. John Brown

1902 – Church of the Redeemer – Superior at Almira, Rev. S.W. Wilson

1908 – Church of the Redeemer – Superior at E. 108th, Rev. Hickman Denning

EMANUEL PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH

8604 Euclid Avenue

This church dates from 1871 when it was opened by St. Paul's Episcopal Church at Euclid and E. 40th.  The first chapel was at Prospect and E. 36th.  A new chapel was built in 1874 on Euclid Avenue east of E. 86th Street.  In 1900 a new building was built at 8604 Euclid Avenue.  In 1991 Emanuel Church merged with Incarnation Church.  This new combined congregation was renamed the Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration.

1876 - 1887 – Emanuel Church – Brookfield bet. Lincoln and Bolton, Rev. B. Noakes

1891 - 1894 – Emanuel Church – Euclid opposite Brookfield, Rev. Albert Putnam

1898 – Emanuel Church – Euclid opp. Brookfield, Rev. Frank Du Moulin

1902 – Emanuel Church – Euclid opp. Brookfield, Rev. Wilson Stearly

1908 – Emanuel Church – Euclid opp. E. 87th, Rev Wilson Stearly

1913 – Emanuel Church – Euclid opp. E. 87th, Rev. John Jaggar

1918 – Emanuel Church – Euclid opp. E. 87th, Rev. Robert Woodroofe

1924 - 1928 – Emanuel Church – Euclid opp. E. 87th, Rev. Kirk O’Ferrall

Today this church is located at 8604 Euclid Avenue.

GRACE PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH

No longer standing.

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

The parish of Grace Church was organized July 9, 1845 at the residence of its rector, Rev. Richard Bury, by former members of Trinity Church.  A lot was purchased at the corner of Erie and Huron Streets on which a substantial brick building was erected. 

1845 – Grace Church – Huron and Erie St., Rev. Richard Bury

1846 – 1849 – Grace Church – Huron and Erie St., Rev. Alexander Varian

1849 – 1852 – Grace Church – Huron and Erie St., Rev. Jarvis Carter

1852 – 1852 – Grace Church – Huron and Erie St., Rev. James Cole Tracy

1852 – 1860 – Grace Church – Huron and Erie St., Rev. Lawson Carter

1860 – 1869 – Grace Church – Huron and Erie St., Rev. William Allen Fisk

1869- 1877 – Grace – Huron and Erie St., Rev. Alvah H. Washburn

1879 - 1883 – Grace – Huron and Erie, Rev. George W. Hinkle

1891 - 1902 – Grace – Prospect at Erie, Rev. Edward Worthington

1908 - 1918 – Grace – Bolivar at Prospect, Rev. Charles Bubb

1921 – Grace – Bolivar at Prospect, Rev. George Carlton

1924 – Grace – Bolivar at Prospect, Rev. Wm. Hicks

1928 – Grace – Bolivar at Prospect, Rev. Franklyn Sherman

GRACE PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH (EIGHTEENTH WARD)

9028 Harvard Avenue at East 91st

Harvard was called Hamilton before 1906

East 91st was called Sawyer and Walnut before 1906

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

Grace Church was organized in 1869.  The early services were held in the old Presbyterian Church building, which was subsequently purchased by the society of Grace Church, and moved to its present location on the corner of Harvard and Sawyer Streets.

1869 – Grace Church – Hamilton and Walnut, Rev. Frederick Brooks

1870 – 1871 – Grace Church – Hamilton and Walnut, Rev. Royal B. Balcom

1871 – 1874 – Grace Church – Hamilton and Walnut, Rev. Stephen W. Garrett

1874 - 1877 – Grace Church – Hamilton and Walnut, Rev. Marmaduke M. Dillon

1879 - 1883 – Grace Church – Harvard and Sawyer, Rev. M.M. Dillon

1887 – Grace Church – Harvard and Sawyer, Rev. George Williams

1891 - 1894 – Grace Church – Harvard and Sawyer, Rev. George Adams

1898 – Grace Church – Harvard at Sawyer, Rev. Ernest J. Craft

1902 – Grace Church – Harvard at Sawyer, Rev. S.W. Wilson

1908 – Grace South – Harvard at E. 91st, Rev. James Forbes

1913 – Grace South – Harvard at E. 91st, Rev. Llewellyn Romilly

1918 – Grace South – Harvard at E. 91st, Rev. C.P. Gurgoos

1924 – Grace South – Harvard at E. 91st, Rev. Allen Jennings

1928 – Grace South – Harvard at E. 91st, Rev. Brinley Abbott

2007-2020 – Our Redeemer Missionary Baptist Church

2021-2022 – The Church on the Hill

MEMORIAL CHURCH OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD

1098 Addison Road at Varian

1873 - 1874 – Church of the Good Shepherd – E. Madison/Addison, Rev. W.E. Tolle

1875 – 1876 – Church of the Good Shepherd – E. Madison/Addison, Rev. J.J.A. Morgan

1876 - 1879 – Church of the Good Shepherd – Addison bet. Superior and St. Clair, Rev. Thomas Lyle

1879 - 1894 – Memorial Church of the Good Shepherd – E. Madison and Varian, Rev. Thomas Lyle

1898 – Church of the Good Shepherd – E. Madison and Varian, Rev. Wemyss Smith

1902 – Church of the Good Shepherd – E. Madison at Varian, Rev. Edward Doane

1908 – Memorial Church of the Good Shepherd – Addison at Varian, Rev. Foster

1913 - 1928 – Memorial Church of the Good Shepherd, Addison at Varian, Rev. George Foster

ST. ALBANS PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH

2530 Edgehill

1908 – St. Albans – Euclid at Edgehill, Rev. A.O. Tarrant

1913 – St. Albans – Euclid at Edgehill, Rev. Edmund Mapes

1924 - 1928 – St. Albans – 2530 Edgehill, Rev. J.E. Carhartt

ST. ANDREW IN THE EAST PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH

1894 – St. Andrews in the East – Murray Hill at Fairview

1898 – St. Andrew in the East – Murray Hill at Fairview, Rev. John Brown

1902 – St. Andrew in the East – Derbyshire Rd., Rev. Harry Hathaway

ST. ANDREW PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH (AFRICAN-AMERICAN)

1894 – St. Andrew’s Church – Chapel at Scovill, Rev. A.H. Leaitad

1898 – St. Andrew’s Church – Scovill, Rev. Joseph A. Brown

1908 – St. Andrew’s Mission – Central at E. 24th, Rev. R.W. Bagnall

1913 - 1918 – St. Andrew’s Church – 1832 Central, Rev. B.W. Paxton

ST. JAMES PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH

East 55th at Whittier Avenue

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

The establishment of Saint James Parish was the result of the labors of Rev. R. Bury, who resigned the rectorship in 1871.

1869 - 1871 – St. James – Superior and Alabama, Rev. R. Bury

1871 - 1874 – St. James – Superior and Alabama, Rev. William E. Toll

1874 - 1879 – St. James – Superior and Alabama, Rev. J.J.A. Morgan

1879 – St. James – Superior and Alabama, Rev. J.W. Brown

1883 – St. James – Superior and Alabama, Rev. S.T. Brewster

1887 – St. James – Superior and Alabama, Rev. James Matthews

1894 - 1898 – St. James Church – Willson at Sixth, Rev. Theodore C. Foote

1902 – St. James Church – Willson at Sixth, Rev. Charles Henry Schultz

1908 – St. James Church – E. 55th at Whittier, Rev. Henry Sommerville

1913 – St. James Church – E. 55th at Whittier, Rev. Jas. E. Craig

1918 – St. James Church – E. 55th at Whittier, Rev. S.A. Chapman

1924 - 1928 – St. James Church – E. 55th at Whittier, Rev. Vivian Peterson

ST. JOHN PROTESTANT EPISCOPA CHURCH (WEST SIDE)

2600 Church Avenue

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

St. John’s Church on the west side, was organized in 1834, but until 1836 public worship was held in Columbus Block, in school-houses and in the houses of members.  The commodious church now in use was erected at the corner of Church and Wall Streets in 1836.  This church was destroyed by fire on April 3, 1866. 

The Western Reserve Historical Society has church records for this church from 1835-1871.  Call Number MS3066

1836 – St. John’s (West Side), Church and Wall Streets, Rev. Seth Davis

1839 - 1841 – St. John’s, Church and Wall Streets, Rev. D.W. Tolford

1841 – 1844 – St. John’s, Church and Wall Streets, Rev. William Burton

1848 - 1871 – St. John’s, Church and Wall Streets, Rev. Lewis Burton

1871 - 1879 – St. John’s, Church and Wall, Rev. John Crocker White

1883 – St. John’s, Church and Wall, Rev. C.S. Bates

1887 - 1891 – St. John’s, Church and Wall, Rev. H.D. Aves

1894 - 1902 – St. John’s, Church and Wall, Rev. W. H. Jones

1908 – St. John’s, Church at W. 26th, Rev. W.H. Jones

1913 – St. John’s, Church at W. 26th, Rev. Henry Cooke

1918 – St. John’s, Church at W. 26th, Rev. F.B. Avery

1924 – St. John’s Church at W. 26th, Rev. George Trickett

1928 – St. John’s Church at W. 26th, Rev. Roy DePriest

ST. LUKE PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH

Broadway Avenue just south of Cross Street (New East 9th)

1869 – St. Lukes – Broadway above Cross St., Rev. Frederic Brooks

1870 - 1872 – St. Lukes – Broadway above Cross, Rev. John Long

1874 – St. Lukes – Broadway near Cross, Rev. E.C. Coleman

1877 – St. Lukes – Broadway near Cross, Rev. J.R.L. Nesbitt

1879 – St. Lukes – Broadway near Cross, Rev. N.S. Rulison

ST. LUKE PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH

7708 Lake at West 78th

1894 – St. Lukes – Lake near Huntington, Rev. Chester Kemp

1898 – St. Lukes Church – Lake Ave. at Tennessee, Rev. Chester Kemp

1902 – St. Lukes Church – Lake at Tennessee, Rev. Charles Mackenzie

1908 – St. Lukes Church – Lake at W. 78th, Rev. Robert Freeborn

1913 - 1918 – St. Lukes Church – Lake at W. 78th, Rev. John Stalker

1924 – St. Lukes Church – Lake at W. 78th, Rev. Leon Haley

1928 – St. Lukes Church – Lake at W. 78th, Rev. Harold Zeis

ST. MARK PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH

4801 Franklin Avenue

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

St. Marks Church stands upon the rear end of a lot on Franklin Street, having a frontage of 66 feet, and a depth on Liberty Street of 166 feet.  This church was organized on January 11, 1870.  The church was built and opened on July 3, 1870. 

In 2007 this church was Iglesia Del Salvador Church of the Saviour

1871 - 1887 – St. Marks – Franklin and Liberty, Rev. Lewis Burton

1891 - 1898 – St. Marks – Franklin and Liberty, Rev. Francis Mason Hall

1902 – St. Marks – Franklin and Liberty, Rev. F.E.J. Lloyd

1908 - 1913 – St. Marks – Franklin at W. 48th, Rev. C.S. Davidson

1918 - 1924 – St. Marks – Franklin at W. 48th, Rev. Lucius Shey

1928 – St. Marks – Franklin at W. 48th, Rev. Walter Hinzman

ST. MARY CHAPEL OF CLEVELAND FEMALE SEMINARY

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

In 1863, Mr. S.N. Sanford purchased the “Cleveland Female Seminary” and made of it a “Church School for Girls.”  The desire grew to have a regular parochial organization.  Rev. W.C. French acted for several years as chaplain of the seminary.  Rev. Royal B. Balcom took over on September 5, 1869.  The cornerstone of the church building was laid on September 29, 1869.

1869 – St. Marys Chapel of Cleveland Female Seminary – Kinsman St., Rev. M. Jackson

1869 - 1872 – St. Marys – Woodland near Case, Rev. R.B. Balcom

1872 – 1874 - St. Marys – Woodland and Scovill, Rev. J.J.A. Morgan

1875 - 1879 – St. Marys – Woodland bet. Sawtell and Wallingford, Rev. Frank M. Hall

1883 - 1887 – St. Marys – Woodland and Wallingford, Rev. Ralph E. Macduff

1891 - 1894 – St. Marys – Woodland and Wallingford, Rev. F.M. Munson

1898 - 1902 – St. Marys – Woodland and Wallingford, Rev. Frederick Brookins

1908 – St. Marys – Woodland at E. 45th, Rev. Virgil Bover

ST. MATTHEW PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH

1902 – St. Matthews Church – Clark at Young, Rev. F.E.J. Lloyd

1908 – St. Matthews Church – Clark at W. 84th, Rev. John Keene

1913 – St. Matthews Church – Clark and W. 84th, Rev. Claude Soares

1918 – St. Matthews Church – Clark and W. 84th, Rev. John Stalker

1924 – St. Matthews Church – Clark and W. 84th, Rev. Leon Haley

1928 – St. Matthews Church – Clark and W. 84th, Rev. G.M. Rutter

ST. PAUL PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH

4120 Euclid Avenue at East 40th

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

St. Paul Church was organized October 26, 1846.  The vestry extended a call to Rev. Gideon B. Perry to become rector of the church.  The first services were in December of 1846.  These services were celebrated in an upper room of a building located on Superior Street, near Seneca, at which place services were held until January, 1851.  In March, 1848, a lot of ground on the corner of Sheriff Street and Euclid Avenue was purchased.  The church was built but was destroyed by fire on August 3, 1849.  The vestry met and resolved to build another church of brick and stone on the same lot.  The new church was opened for divine service in January, 1851.  In 1874 the church property was sold for $115,000 and the services were held in a rented building on Prospect Street, until the completion of the chapel on the corner of Euclid and Case Avenues.  On July 2, 1875, the cornerstone of the new edifice was laid.  On December 24, 1876, the new church was opened for public worship. 

Later, this became Conversion of St. Paul Shrine (Catholic).

1846 - 1852 – St. Pauls – Euclid Ave. and Sheriff, Rev. Gideon B. Perry

1853 – 1859 – St. Pauls – Euclid Ave. and Sheriff, Rev. R.B. Claxton

1860 – 1863 – St. Pauls – Euclid Ave. and Sheriff, Rev. Wilbur F. Paddock

1863 – 1867 – St. Pauls – Euclid Ave. and Sheriff, Rev. H.J. Rylance

1867 – 1874 – St. Pauls – Euclid Ave. and Sheriff, Rev. Frederick Brooks

1875 - 1876 – St. Pauls – Euclid and Case, Rev. Caspar Maurice Wines

1876 - 1883 – St. Pauls – Euclid and Case, Rev. Nelson Somerville Rulison

1887 - 1894 – St. Pauls – Euclid and Case, Rev. C.S. Bates

1898 - 1902 – St. Pauls – Euclid and Case, Rev. George McGrew

1908 - 1924 – St. Pauls – Euclid at E. 40th, Rev. W.R. Breed

ST. PETER PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH

Scovill Avenue and East 23rd

1869 - 1872 – St. Peter’s – Scovill and Chapel Streets, Rev. Thomas Corlett

1874 - 1877 – St. Peter’s – Scovill and Chapel, Rev. James A. Bolles

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:

Archives of the Episcopal Church U.S.A.

107 Denison Drive

Austin, TX  78752

512-472-6816

Research@episcopalarchives.org

https://www.episcopalarchives.org/resources/genealogical-research

Sacramental records of births, marriages, and deaths as well as communicant membership of families are maintained by the individual parishes.  The Episcopal Church does not maintain central membership lists. Information on families prominent in local church activities, parish registers, and church directories can best be found by contacting the parish directly. If a researcher knows a town or city, the Archives can usually provide them with a list of local parishes. If a church has closed, the records are typically found in the diocesan archives. The Archives can provide contact information for the diocesan offices. Episcopal dioceses do not maintain central membership lists.

Vital Records Inquiries in Parish Registers

Records of baptisms, burials, and marriages can most likely be found at the church where the event took place. For information from these records, you would have to contact the appropriate congregation or the diocese directly. If the congregation is unknown, the researcher should focus on a few congregations at one time in a process of elimination. One can determine whether a particular congregation still exists and its current address by contacting the Archives or by using Episcopal web resources such as the Find a Church tool. You should then contact the rector. Keep your inquiry brief, giving only the essential information and requesting only the information you need. Your chances of receiving a reply are better if you do not ask broad questions or provide unnecessary details of your family history. If the church no longer exists, the records could be located in either the archives of the diocese, or in some cases, in a local repository of manuscript collections.

List of all Episcopal Churches here:

http://anglicansonline.org/usa