EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN
Evangelical Lutheran Churches that were part of the Missouri Synod have their records stored at the individual church, or at the Ohio District LCMS office at 451 Columbia Road, P.O. Box 38277, Olmsted Falls, OH 44138. Rev. Peeter Pirn is the archivist and works there the first Wednesday of each month. Their website is http://oh.lcms.org/president-office/archives. The Ohio District LCMS office has no official acts records for current churches, but does have information on founding, pastors, and milestones. If a church is closed, their records would be located at the LCMS archive in St. Louis. HOWEVER, Ohio District LCMS does have records for St. Luke’s on Sauer Ave., and St. Paul on E. 55th Street.
All records for Lutheran Churches in the area that are closed are now located at the Concordia Historical Institute. The archive number is 314-505-7921 and the Reference and Research number is 314-505-7935. In order to obtain records, you want to call the second number. The records used to be housed at the Missouri Synod Headquarters on Columbia Road, but when they renovated the building, all church records were sent to Concordia Historical Institute. The website is: chi.lcms.org (do not use www.) The email address is: reference@chi.lcms.org
http://chi.lcms.org/collections/search.asp (search on Cleveland)
http://chi.lcms.org/reference.asp How to request info
email: reference@chi.lcms.org
If you are unable to visit St. Louis to do your own research, you may have research done by CHI's reference staff by mail. Fees apply with discounts to Institute members. All inquiries are to be submitted in writing. Initial contact may be made by mail, fax or email. Once you contact them, they will let you know if they have the records you are requesting, how much the cost would be, and they will ask how you would like to pay - by check or credit card. Postage and handling may be extra for large projects and will be billed if necessary.
In order for them to do research for you, you must know the name of a congregation or the pastor's name and an approximate timeframe for the record you are looking for. There is not sufficient staff to do extensive research, however, the staff will attempt to find answers to specific questions such as the date of a marriage or baptism or death.
In 1843, forty-five members from the First German church in Cleveland (Die Deutsche Evangelische Protestantisch Kirche (formed in 1835) left to form the first Evangelical Lutheran Church in Cleveland - Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church. Zion was known as the "Mother of Churches". Other churches that were off-shoots from Zion were Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church (1858) and St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church (1878). Zion's pastor, Rev. August Schmidt was instrumental in forming the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod in 1847. Zion joined this in 1852. Rev. Heinrich C. Schwan from Zion introduced the German tradition of a Christmas tree during the Christmas Eve service in 1851.
Other churches followed: First Scandinavian (1880), Bethlehem Church Swedish (1885), Holy Trinity Slovak (1892), Immanuel Danish-Norwegian (1894), Immanuel Church Latvian (1897), Gesthsemane Finnish (1903), First Hungarian Lutheran (1906), and Dr. Martin Luther Evangelical Lutheran Church Slovak (1910).
From: Jubilee Edition of Waechter und Anzeiger Newspaper 1902
The Evangelical Lutheran Churches in Cleveland almost all belonged to the Missouri Synod. The oldest, Zion, was brought to live almost 60 years ago. It is nearly 60 years since the first German Evangelical Lutheran church was called to life in Cleveland. The degree to which the German population has grown is shown by the fact that there are now 11 Lutheran churches, of which 9 belong to the Missouri Synod and two to the Ohio Synod. These churches have always assured German youth a good education in the German language. The oldest Lutheran Congregation is the Zion Church established 59 ½ years ago on Erie Street. The other Lutheran churches of Cleveland which grew out of it are Christ Church on Selden Avenue, Trinity Church on Jersey Street, Immanuel Church on Scranton Avenue, St. John’s Church on Cable Street, St. Luke’s Church on Conover Street, St. Matthew’s Church on Meyer Avenue, St. Paul’s on Willson Avenue, and St. Peter’s on Craw Avenue, all belonging to the Missouri Synod. Those belonging to the Ohio Synod are the Friedens Church on Tod Street and the Martin Luther Church on West Madison Avenue.
The city of Cleveland has the honor to count the former long-term president of the Missouri Synod as one of its most outstanding citizens, the Rev. Heinrich Christian Schwan. He has been resident here for 51 years. He was born on April 5, 1819 in Herneburg in Hanover, the oldest of six children of Pastor G.H. Schwan. President Schwan enjoyed his first education in the local village school. His father instructed him in Latin and Greek. After confirmation, he attended the Gymnasium in Stade and passed his final examination with honors. In November, 1837, he entered the University of Gottingen, and the next year went to Jena. In July, 1842, he received permission to preach and was ordained on September 13, 1843. He then went as a missionary to Brazil, where he led a congregation for six year. Here in 1849 he married Emma Blum. One year later, on the request of his uncle, Pastor Wyneken, he came to the United States where he held his first position as a pastor in New Bielefeld, now Black Jack, in Missouri. Nine months later, in April 1851, he was called to Zion Church in Cleveland. For 30 years he worked at the Zion Church as minister, and for 25 years as president of the Cleveland district. In 1881, he was elected as successor to Dr. Walther of St. Louis, the founder of the Missouri Synod, as president. He held this office for 18 years until three years ago. Due to his great age he passed the burden to younger shoulders. On Oct. 29, 1893, Dr. Schwan celebrated his golden jubilee as Lutheran cleric. The old, venerable man, whose numerous family all reside in Cleveland, enjoys singular intellectual and physical strength despite his 83 years. The pastor of St. Paul’s, Paul Schwan, is the son of Dr. Schwan. The current president of the synod is Professor F. Pieper of Concordia College in St. Louis.
BETHANY CHURCH (GERMAN) – W. 89th AT WILLARD
1906 – Bethany Church – Dan at Willard, Rev. Frank Dressel
1908 - 1913 – Bethany Church – W. 89th and Willard, Rev. O.F. Weaver
1918 – Bethany Church – W. 89th at Willard, Rev. A.O. Becker
1924 - 1928 – Bethany Church – W. 89th at Willard, Rev. John Trout
BETHLEHEM CHURCH
1901 - 1908 – Bethlehem Church – Garfield near John, Rev. Paul Kleinhans
1908 - 1945 – Bethlehem Church – Garfield near E. 103rd, Rev. Paul Kleinhans
1945 – 1950 – Bethlehem Church – Garfield near E. 103rd, Rev. Leo Albrecht
1950 – 1971 – Bethlehem Church – 24490 Euclid Avenue, Rev. Leo Albrecht
This church was organized by Pastors Paul F. Schwan and Martin Ilse. It was originally located in Glenville, at John (E. 103rd) and Garfield. The chapel was built in 1902 and a newer church in 1915. In 1950, a newer church was built on Beverly Hills Drive at Euclid Avenue. Today this church is located at 24490 Euclid Avenue, #214, Euclid, OH 44117. Phone: 216-531-5990. When I called there I was told that they do have records from the old church at Garfield and E. 103rd and they have computerized them. You can write for a lookup or email them at bethlehemeuclid@sbcglobal.net.
CALVARY CHURCH
1913 – Calvary Church – 946 E. 105th, Rev. H.B. Ernsberger
1918 - 1928 – Calvary Church – 10407 Adams, Rev. Harold R. Ernsberger
CHRISTUS KIRCHE (GERMAN)
From: Jubilee Edition of Waechter und Anzeiger Newspaper 1902
Among the prosperous daughter congregations of Trinity on Jersey Street, one may add Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church on the “Isle of Cuba”. Its church is found on Selden Avenue and Robert Street. It was founded in the summer of 1889 and the present property was purchased for $4,000. The school is housed on the lower floor. On September 8, 1889 the church called pastor, H. Eckhardt, and opened the school with 40 children. In 1894 the congregation built the second schoolhouse. Pastor Eckhardt headed the congregation for eight years. His successor was Pastor F. Keller, who is now in his fifth year of office. A new church is to be built at the corner of Selden Avenue and Robert Street.
1889 - 1898 – Christus Kirche – Robert near Burton, Rev. Harry P. Eckhardt
1898 - 1906 – Christus Kirche – Selden at Robert, Rev. Frederick Keller
1908 - 1944 – Christus Kirche – W. 43rd and Robert, Rev. Frederick Keller
1944 – 1951 – Christus Kirche – W. 43rd and Robert, Rev. Emmanuel Malkow
1952 - ???? - Christus Kirche – W. 43rd and Robert, Rev. Werner Jurgens
CHURCH OF THE EPIPHANY
1898 - 1902 – Church of the Epiphany – Bridge at Liberty, Rev. C.L.V. Dozer
CHURCH OF THE REDEEMER
1908 – Church of the Redeemer – W. 30th at Walton, Rev. William Dale
1913 - 1924 – Church of the Redeemer – W. 30th at Walton, Rev. W.C. Morhart
DR. MARTIN LUTHER EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH (SLOVAK)
2139 West 14th
(currently located at 4470 Ridge Road)
From: Jubilee Edition of Waechter und Anzeiger Newspaper 1902
The Rev. A.L. Ramer, a pastor of German descent, who had studied and learned the Slovak language and was the mission organizer for the Slovak people, conducted services among a small handful of people in this vicinity. They met for worship in the school room of the German Evangelical Lutheran Church, Bridge Avenue. Dr. Martin Luther Evangelical Lutheran Church of Cleveland, Ohio, was organized on March 20, 1910. There were 40 charter members. The first house of worship was an old double house located at 2139 W. 14th, purchased for $7,500. The upper space was used for worship while the ground floor was occupied by the pastor, at that time the Rev. Karol Salva and his family. In the year 1917 work was begun on a permanent house of worship and the dedication of the church took place on November 25, 1917. The old house used as worship and living quarters was later demolished to make room for a parsonage which was dedicated on Labor Day, 1922. The congregation grew and new properties were acquired. Later, in addition to the church edifice, parsonage, and recreation hall adjacent to the church property, two other houses were acquired to meet the needs of the church.
In the year 1957 the State of Ohio and the City of Cleveland needed the property for the proposed Inner Belt Freeway. The State compensated the church for its property. In June, 1957, we had to vacate the old location; for a temporary place of worship we rented the Lyceum Theatre at Fulton and Bush Avenues. Early in 1957 the church purchased a plot of ground located at 4470 Ridge Road, Brooklyn, Ohio. The total cost of the new church, together with the other buildings was $600,000.
1910 - 1913 - Dr. Martin Luther - 2137 W. 11th, Rev. Karol Salva
1913 - 1915 - Dr. Martin Luther - 2137 W. 11th, Rev. John Body
1915 - 1929 - Dr. Martin Luther - 2137 W. 11th, Rev. Albert Dianiska
1929 - 1958 - Dr. Martin Luther - 2137 W. 11th, Rev. M.L. Benko
1958 - ???? - Dr. Martin Luther - 4470 Ridge Road, Rev. V.L. Hibian
EMMAUS CHURCH
1924 – Emmaus – Mapledale at W. 36th, Rev. W.M. Brandt
1928 – Emmaus – Mapledale at W. 36th, Rev. Luther Smith
FRIEDENS KIRCHE (GERMAN)
From: Jubilee Edition of Waechter und Anzeiger Newspaper 1902
Friedens Evangelical Lutheran Church was founded in 1890 and consisted then of 40 families. It bought a lot at the corner of Tod and Waterman Street. A two-story building was put up. The construction of a new church is supposed to begin as son as the congregation feels strong enough. The present building is then supposed to be used entirely as a school. It belongs to the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Ohio and Other States. The first pastor was A. Ebert. He was called away in 1894 and Pastor J. Dingeldey came to this position and has served it ever since.
1890 - 1894 – Friedens Kirche – Waterman near Tod, Rev. Adolph Ebert
1894 - 1902 – Friedens Kirche – Waterman near Tod, Rev. John Dingeldey
1906 – Friedens Kirche – Waterman near Tod, Rev. Charles Loehr
1908 – Friedens Kirche – E. 65th and Waterman, Rev. Charles Loehr
1913 – Friedens Kirche – E. 65th and Waterman, Rev. S.W. Mantz
GRACE LUTHERAN
1906 – Grace Church – Willson at Mathew, Rev. H.P. Eckhardt
1908 – Grace Church – E. 55th at Lexington, Rev. H.P. Eckhardt
1918 – Grace Church – E. 55th at Lexington, Rev. J. H. Witte
1921 - 1928 – Grace Church – E. 55th at Lexington, Rev. H.W. Bartels
Grace Church became Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church (216-431-0447). Today this church is located at 1754 E. 55th Street.
HOLY TRINITY - SLAVIC
1887 – Holy Trinity – Putnam and Scovill, Rev. A.H. Bartholomew
1891 - 1894 – Holy Trinity – Putnam and Scovill, Rev. Charles S. Kohler
1898 – Holy Trinity – Putnam and Scovill, Rev. Charles Spleker
1898 – Danish Mission – Putnam and Scovill, Rev. A.J. Tarpgaard
1902 – Holy Trinity – Putnam and Scovill, Rev. Charles Kohler
1908 – Holy Trinity (Slavic) – 2502 E. 20th, Rev. Moloslav Krizan
1913 - 1928 – Holy Trinity – 2502 E. 20th, Rev. Alex Jarosi
IMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH (GERMAN)
2928 Scranton Road at the corner of Seymour Ave.
216-781-9511
Email: immanluth1@sbcglobal.net
This church has microfilmed records of its church books on site for viewing.
From: Jubilee Edition of Waechter und Anzeiger Newspaper 1902
Emmanuel Church is a daughter of Trinity, from which it branched off in 1880. Since the 1860s and 1870s there had been many German families in the area known as Brooklyn and the Heights, a strong percentage of them Lutherans. Most of these joined what was then the only Lutheran church on the West Side, Trinity. Others preferred to attend another evangelical church in the area, since the way to Trinity was too far. In order to help this situation, a district school was opened in the area of the Emmanuel church as early as 1871. In 1876, the present minister of the church, H. Weseloh, was named assistant minister of Trinity in this school district, where he took over the classes and preached on Wednesday evening and Sunday in the schoolhouse. In 1880 the need for an autonomous congregation made itself felt to such a degree that the organization could not be delayed. At once 350 communicants joined. With the help of the mother congregation, the young Emmanuel congregation bought a large lot at the corner of Scranton and Seymour, on which they built a large church. It was consecrated ion July 18, 1880. At the same time a two-story parish school was built behind, where 210 children received instruction. In 1881 Teacher C. Stumme was called and in 1883 Mr. M. Gatsch. The congregation grew so rapidly, that by 1884 it had 1,385 adult members. Since the church had grown too small, the St. Matthew Church was branched off in 1885. It came into existence with 500 members and built its church on Meyer Avenue. In 1895 the congregation installed balconies in the church. The congregation has 2,106 souls, 1,300 communicants, and 440 children in the five-class school. Pastor Weseloh, who was born about 46 years ago in Hanover, came to America as a 15-year-old boy.
IMMANUEL EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH
1880-1980
A Short History of Immanuel Congregation
Immanuel Lutheran Church traces its history to Trinity Lutheran Church on West 30th Street in Cleveland (Deutsche Evangelisch-Lutherische Dreieinigkeits Gemeinde U.A.C.). In the 1860's and 1870's, this congregation experienced phenomenal growth, and in 1873 dedicated their new, large, beautiful church, which would seat 1,500 persons. In 1853 Trinity opened their first school, on the West 30th property. Because so many of their members were locating in the "Brooklyn" area, in 1872 they erected a second school facing Seymour Avenue, off Scranton Road. At the end of the first year it had an enrollment of 125 pupils. W.H. Bewie was the first teacher of the school.
In 1876 Trinity called as assistant to Pastor Niemann, Candidate of Theology Henry Weseloh, graduate of our seminary in St. Louis. He was born in Hanover, Germany, November 1, 1852. He was called with the understanding that, aside from being assistant pastor at Trinity, he should devote himself especially to "Brooklyn" with the thought of establishing a new congregation there. The new congregation in Brooklyn was formally organized on June 19, 1880, taking the mane of "Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church, Cleveland, Ohio" (Evangelisch-Lutherische Immanuels Gemeinde U.A.C.). To begin with it numbered 537 communicants and 58 voting members. On July 18, 1880 the new church building was dedicated. Its vital statistics were as follows: 48 feet wide and 100 feet deep, the foundation is of stone, the remainder of the building proper is of brick. The steeple was 144 feet high. The cornerstone was laid on September 7, 1879, which contained the following items: The Bible, Book of Concord, Lutheran Hymn Book, Luther's catechism, Lutheraner, Lehre and Wehre, Cleveland Leader and the history of the congregation. The cornerstone remains unopened.
The congregation grew rapidly. The first baptism on the new church property took place on February 18, 1880, Olga Borchert. The first marriage ceremony was held on March 30, 1880, when Catharina Ficken married Heinrich Meyer. By 1881 the school enrollment had increased to 403. Three teachers taught all these children. C. Stumme's biggest problem was where to place the stove in the room, since it was overflowing with children and desks. (The room, not the stove). Thus in 1882 the original school was enlarged, and a fourth teacher called. By 1884 the congregation numbered 2,354 baptized members and had 494 children in the school. The decision was made to begin a new congregation, splitting the present parish at Clark Street. In January 1885, St. Matthew's was dedicated at Scranton and Meyers. In five years Immanuel had grown from being itself an offshoot of Trinity, to having its own daughter church. This did not stop the growth of Immanuel, which had to build a balcony in 1885 to handle the overflow or worshippers.
In 1909 Cleveland was hit by a tornado that did great damage in the city. Much damage was done to the church building when a large part of the upper structure of the church was torn off. The steeple was so insecure that it was later removed. Services were held in a roller rink on West 25th Street and in St. Matthew's Church. The school building was undamaged, nor were any of the 300 children hurt. Surely, "In time of trouble He shall hide me." And though the church roof was torn off and debris came sailing through the air and fell into yards and streets, not a person was killed. But nothing could keep the children in the seats after this for a long time: Whenever the sky filled up with dark clouds, they became panicky. As a result of the storm the third floor of the school house was removed, as it offered too great a danger in case of a future storm, and the steeple on the church was removed. The church was entirely renovated.
The loss of the third floor of the school made for a shortage of meeting space, and so in 1911 a parish hall was constructed, which, in its day was among the finest church halls. It was equipped with kitchen facilities, bowling alleys, reading rooms, shower baths and lavatories, and an auditorium that would seat about 400 people, complete with a stage. The building cost about $13,000, and was dedicated in 1912.
The Sunday school was organized in 1918 and by 1929 had grown to over 200 students. In July 1925 Pastor Weseloh became ill and underwent an operation. Six weeks later, August 30, The Lord took His servant to Himself. He had been the shepherd of Immanuel since 1876, and had been its first and only called pastor. Few have been privileged to serve in the vineyard of the Lord with such apparent evidences of Grace and Bellsing as was this faithful servant of the Lord. With his devoted people he had shared weal and woe. After a ministry of 49 years, his body was laid to rest in the congregation's burial plot of our Lutheran Cemetery. A bronze table was unveiled as a memorial at the celebration of the Golden Anniversary with the inscription:
TO THE MEMORY OF THE SAINTED
PASTOR HENRY WESELOH
BORN: NOVEMBER 1, 1852
DIED: AUGUST 30, 1925
HER FAITHFUL PASTOR 45 YEARS
THE IMMANUEL EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN
CONGREGATION
After the decease of Pastor Weseloh, a call was extended to Reverend Arthur W. Hinz, of Decatur, Indiana, a graduate of the theological seminary at St. Louis in 1912. Installation services were held January 3, 1926.
On June 29, 1930 the congregation celebrated its Golden Anniversary. The church had been renovated inside and out, and a new three manual Estey organ, one of the finest organs in the city, had been installed. It was a thankful and happy congregation that entered the church that day. Pastor Karl Schulz, of Sheboygan, Wisconsin, preached in the morning and Reverend H. Reick, of Independence, Ohio, in an afternoon English service. Reverend Paul Schulz, of Springfield, Illinois, preached on Monday evening at the closing exercises of the school. All three ministers were former members of Immanuel. The Lord has truly blessed the congregation at Immanuel, having called several of its members into the ministry throughout its history.
The depression saw many of Immanuel's members out of work. There was much poverty in the congregation in those years. Food and clothing were collected by members and distributed to the needy. The church's charity treasury gave material assistance. The Second World War and the conflict in Korea brought sorrowful times to many families whose sons and daughters faced death in the conflicts. A monthly letter by the Pastor and a round-robin by a committee sent to the enlisted members served toward encouraging them and strengthening them in faith. Those who gave their lives in the defense of their country included Wilfred Schwanke, Harry Hein, Herbert Teske, and Emil Schultz.
At the time of its 75th anniversary, the church was extensively renovated. New doors and an entirely new front were added to the building. A narthex wall of beautiful white oak with glazed colored windows was built in order to provide lavatory space in the enlarged narthex. The iron posts supporting the balcony were encased in white oak. The church was rededicated on November 15, 1954.
Pastor Hoyer came to Immanuel in 1955 as a vicar, and remained to be ordained here as assistant pastor on July 8, 1956. Pastor Hinz intended to retire at the end of 1956, however, it pleased the Lord to call this faithful servant to the joy of His presence on November 29, 1956, after serving Immanuel for 31 years. The congregation mounted a memorial plaque in the narthex opposite the Weseloh memorial with an identical inscription:
TO THE MEMORY OF THE SAINTED
PASTOR ARTHUR W. HINZ
BORN: JUNE 24, 1890
DIED: NOVEMBER 29, 1956
HER FAITHFUL PASTOR 31 YEARS
THE IMMANUEL EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN
CONGREGATION
After the death of Pastor Hinz, Reverend Hoyer was installed as our pastor in March of 1957. Many changes had taken place in the structure of the congregation and of the community. Immanuel had become an inner city parish and many problems had to be overcome. Members had to come from greater distances to the church as the moving trend to the suburban areas continued. It took all the strength God alone could supply to pastor and people to turn the flow of transfers to other churches into a gaining trend by which we did not only hold our own but began to show a steady net gain of communicants each year.
By 1956 the attendance at the parochial school had declined to less than 60, with less than 10 coming from the congregation. Discipline became a greater problem with the increasing numbers of un-churched students, which resulted in the rapid turnover of teachers. Maintaining the school became an ever increasing financial burden on the congregation, with an ever decreasing return from the investment. The school was therefore officially closed in June of 1957. By the grace of God this action had no negative impact on the ministry of our congregation. Through the fine cooperation of our sister congregations, all Lutheran students were able to continue their education in other Lutheran schools. The Sunday School accepted the responsibility of reaching the un-churched children of the community, and the attendance at Sunday School increased from 123 in 1956 to 224 in 1970.
It was a necessary, but moving, experience when the historical 85 year old school structure was razed to make room for a new parking lot. At that time some members saw the entire brick structure of the parish hall for the first time. Even though it was built in 1911, its view was hidden by the frame structure of the school building.
In order to provide the classroom space necessary for our educational program which had been carried on in the school building, the parish hall underwent extensive remodeling. Bowling alleys were changed into classrooms. The stage of the auditorium was converted into a modern kitchen plus a youth lounge. The former kitchen became another meeting room. Much of the work was donated by faithful members.
By 1964 the old Estey organ was failing. Many ranks no longer provided music and the entire instrument was in need of extensive repairs. On September 13, 1964 a new 38 rank tracker action pipe organ built by Friedrich Weissenborn of Braunschweig, Germany was dedicated. This fine instrument has been used by several great organists for recitals at Immanuel, including Paul Manz, Klaus Kratzenstein, Johannes Guenther Kraner, Ernst Koehler of Weimar and Dr. Albrecht of Berlin.
The German radio ministry was begun in 1958 over station WADC in Akron and continued there for two years. In 1961 the program transferred to WXEN in Cleveland. An estimated 33,000 people listened to this program every week during the height of its popularity. The program eventually gained national recognition for its proclamation of God's Word over a non-religious station. However, by 1976 the format of the station had changed from nationality music to modern music, limiting all foreign language broadcasts to the early Sunday morning hours. For two months the broadcasts were off the air, when a new door opened at Cleveland Public Radio Station WBOE, the station once owned and operated by the Cleveland Board of Education. For the next two years the broadcast was aired every Sunday at 7:30 p.m. until the station was officially closed in 1978. God had closed one door of bringing his Word to the un-churched, but then opened a new door. In 1980 a German mission congregation was begun at Our Redeemer Church in Solon, amidst a new German community which was developing. Pastor Hoyer was asked to form this new congregation, as well as maintain his pastorate at Immanuel.
Extensive counseling with members and people in need, troubled youth, community responsibilities, bilingual services and official acts, hospital and shut-in visits, and other activities, made it necessary for the congregation to provide extra help for the pastor. Thus from 1965 to the present Pastor Hoyer has received help from various vicars, pastoral assistants, Pastors William Single and Karl Heimer. Pastor Single was called upon to visit sick and give communion to our shut-ins. He performed this task faithfully from 1968 to 1978 when, at the age of 92 he was forced by illness to finally retire. Pastor Karl Heimer was called in 1971 to organize a Spanish congregation begun by Vicar Julio Oroszco in 1970. By 1974 the congregation had grown sufficiently that they were able to occupy their own church building on West 30th Street, Redeemer Lutheran Church.
In 1978 God confronted the congregation with a new faith-building crisis. Highway construction nearby had caused a shift in subterranean water tables such that the foundation of the church shifted. The old mortar in the building could not withstand the new pressures, and the structure was in danger of collapsing at several points. The congregation faced the challenge presented by God and declared their intention to stay at this location by authorizing a major reconstruction project which was ultimately to cost $100,000, more than the church cost originally. Thus Immanuel begins the second century with confidence: the buildings are sound, the congregation is sound, the Word of God is still proclaimed in all its truth and purity, in both German and English. The Sacraments are administered according to the Word of God and the Lutheran Confessions. Not only is membership on the increase, but church worship attendance is increasing. The members show their commitment to Christ in many ways: by serving on various committees, teaching Sunday School, singing in choir, playing in the brass choir, but especially by their continued free-giving of their first-fruits without the need of a pledge nor of lectures on stewardship. These and countless other blessings have been bestowed upon us by the Grace of God and will continue, God willing, as long as we are faithful to God's Word and His Sacraments.
To God alone be all Glory and Honor!
Amen
THE HISTORICAL ALBUM 1880-1980
1880 - organization of Immanuel, pastor Weseloh called to pastorate
1880 - First school picnic, July 5
1880 - H. Theiss was the first janitor at $90 annually
1881 - first sidewalks laid on Seymour Ave.
1884 - lake water was piped into the school
1884 - joined the Cemetery Association
1885 - St. Matthew's Church organized
1885 - balcony installed
1904 - bells installed
1905 - church joined the Lutheran Hospital Assn.
1906 - sheds erected to protect horses during services
1909 - church heavily damaged by tornado
1912 - parish hall built
1918 - first English services
1918 - first Sunday School
1925 - death of Pastor Weseloh
1926 - Pastor Hinz installed
1933 - first confirmation of children in the English language
1933 - school picnic discontinued because of depression
1935 - each communicant urged to contribute 25cents per month to defray increasing expenses
1937 - synodical pension plan adopted
1937 - pastor's salary was $1,720 per year
1939 - pastor and teachers not paid for 6 weeks due to financial shortage
1941 - new hymnals
1941 - church seal changed from German to English language
1941 - new communion railing
1942 - last German minutes recorded
1943 - Teacher, John Winter retired after 42 years at Immanuel
1946 - homecoming party for returning servicemen
1947 - church mortgage interest reduced to 3%
1954 - major remodeling begun for 75th Anniversary
1955 - 75th Anniversary
1956 - death of Pastor Hinz
1957 - installation of Pastor Hoyer
1957 - Immanuel School closed
1958 - extensive remodeling of parish hall
1958 - German radio broadcast begun
1959 - garage constructed
1962 - Immanuel school torn down
1962 - German Bible class averages 70 per week attendance
1964 - new organ
1965 - "Christmas at Immanuel" record made
1965 - 85th anniversary service
1966 - bells motorized
1966 - freeway construction makes street parking difficult
1970 - Spanish services begun
1973 - new church roof
1974 - food distribution program begins
1974 - Church building declared to be a historical landmark
1978 - termination of German radio broadcast
1978 - exterior of church renovated
1979 - interior church renovation begins
1980 - IMMANUEL IS 100 YEARS OLD
1852 - 1925 – Immanuel Church (GERMAN) – Scranton and Seymour, Rev. H. Weseloh
1890 - 1956 - Immanuel Church - Rev. Hinz
1957 - 1998 - Immanuel Church - Rev. Horst Hoyer
1998 - ???? - Immanuel Church - Rev. Jay Lemanski
MARTIN LUTHER CHURCH
1898 - 1902 – Martin Luther Church – W. Madison near Hartnell, Rev. Rudolph Reidenbach
1908 - 1913 – Martin Luther Church – 7918 Madison, Rev. William Pohzehl
1918 - 1928 – Martin Luther Church – Madison at W. 89th, Rev. S.W. Mautz
In 2007 this church was no longer standing.
MOUNT CALVARY
1924 – Mount Calvary – 12810 Lorain, Rev. WM. A. Braun
1928 – Mount Calvary – 12810 Lorain, Rev. R.H. Schroeder
OUR SAVIOR - NORWEGIAN
1924 - 1928 – Our Savior – 1433 W. 57th, Rev. Oscar Strom
PEACE CHURCH
1918 – Peace Church – E. 65th at Waterman, Rev. E.A. Dobberstein
1924 - 1928 – Peace Church – E. 93rd at Marshall, Rev. J.E. Harman
ST. JAMES CHURCH
1918 – St. James Church – Hayden at Shaw, Rev. I.C. Birk
1921 - 1924 – St. James Church – Hayden at Shaw, Rev. Calvin Hackenberg
1928 – St. James – Hayden at Shaw, Rev. Dean Shaffer
ST. JOHN’S (GERMAN) (GARFIELD HEIGHTS)
This church is located at 11333 Granger Road, phone 216-587-4222
It was a daughter church of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church on Prospect and E. 30th. It was founded in 1854 and also has a cemetery associated with it across Granger Road.
1854-1859 – Rev. Johann Strieter
1860-1877 – Rev. Karl H. Sallman
1877-1887 – Rev. O.F. Kolbe
1887-1895 – Rev. Philip Wambsgans
1895-1904 – Rev. F.C. Rathert
1904-1910 – Rev. George Gotsch
1911-1929 – Rev. Harry Weidner
ST. JOHN’S (GERMAN) – CABLE AND BROADWAY
5830 Cable Avenue near Broadway
From: Jubilee Edition of Waechter und Anzeiger Newspaper 1902
St. John’s Church is a daughter of Zion Church. It originally met at Engel’s Hall on Broadway and Petrie (E. 49th). It was organized in 1878 with about 15 families. It built a little church in 1878 on Bessemer Avenue & Tod (E. 65th), on lots donated by Henry F. Hoppensack, where school was also held. It called Pastor August Dankworth to be its minister. After him, the pastor was C. Kretzmann, who served for 12 years. In autumn, 1897, the present pastor, J.H. Wefel, entered office. Years ago the church on Bessemer was too small and a lot was obtained on Cable Street near Broadway. The cornerstone was laid on July 14, 1901. The address of this church was 5830 Cable Avenue. As parishioners moved to the suburbs, the school closed in 1958 and the final service in the church was on June 30, 1985. The building was demolished in 1986.
1878-1886 - St. Johannes - Cable near Broadway, Rev. August Dankworth
1886-1897 – St. Johannes – Cable near Broadway, Rev. Chas. Kretzmann
1897-1927 – St. Johannes – Cable near Broadway, Rev. John H. Wefel
1904-1909 – St. Johannes – Cable near Broadway, Rev. Otto Burkenn
1925-1926 - St. Johannes - Cable near Broadway, Rev. C. Ahlbrand
1926-1933 - St. Johannes - Cable near Broadway, Rev. Fred Heidbrink
1935-1947 - St. Johannes - Cable near Broadway, Rev. Henry Tiemann
1952-1963 - St. Johannes - Cable near Broadway, Rev. N.W. Kline
1964-1985 - St. Johannes - Cable near Broadway, Rev. Leo Kostizen
August 31, 1985 Cleveland Plain Dealer
LAST BELLS TOLL FOR CHURCH - NEWBURGH LANDMARK TO SERVE CARS, NOT SOULS
By Alma Kaufman
Once one of the largest churches in the Missouri Synod, St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Cleveland's old Newburgh area, will soon be razed to become a parking lot for a new mini mall. The heavy metal bells, ranging in sound from a deep-toned bass to a tenor, will go to a Russian Orthodox church and the pipe organ to Royal Redeemer Lutheran Church. The bells, cast in St. Louis in 1902, and the organ were dismantled and carried away last week. Everything else in the building, except the copper plumbing, has been sold to dealers. Removal of the items is watched over by Harold Johnson, church council president for the last six years, retired and living nearby. The large frame parsonage next door has shoulder high weeds in the backyard. It too, is waiting to be torn down.
St. John congregation was founded in temporary quarters in 1878 by German immigrants and their families moving from city tenements to hills southeast of town. Their first church, built on Bessemer St. near E. 65th St., soon was endangered by the large encroaching tanks of John D. Rockefeller's nearby oil refinery. The present church, on Cable Ave. near Broadway and E. 55th St., was dedicated in 1902. It seated 1,200 and cost $25,000. A newspaper account described the church as prettily frescoed and decorated, with beautiful stained glass windows and excellent acoustic properties.
The membership rose to 1,500 communicants by 1903 when the congregation celebrated its 25th anniversary. The day school, housed in a large building behind the church, had 550 pupils. It was the congregation's high point.
Thousands of German immigrants poured into Cleveland after the U.S. Civil War. When St. John's was founded in 1878, 40% of the city's 160,000 people had German ancestry, and old Newburgh had a large concentration of them. In 1939, as a second war with German loomed, the church changed its name from German Evangelical Lutheran to St. John's Congregation and ordered congregational meetings and minutes to be conducted and transcribed in English instead of German. Services were conducted in German as well as English until last year.
Around 1910, the membership began declining as old Newburgh changed. The change is described in a history of St. John's printed in 1928 to celebrate the church's 50th anniversary: "People of all nations and races began moving into the district and crowded out our members, who were forced to find new and better homes on the outskirts and in the suburbs of the city, where many of them joined with daughter congregations."
In 1927, the church was shaken by the disappearance of the Rev. John H. Wefel, pastor since 1897. After six years doubling as pastor and president of the district, his health began to fail, and he finally had a nervous breakdown. He was staying at a son's home in Cleveland Heights, apparently recovering, when on the afternoon of July 11, he took a ride downtown for the first time since his breakdown. He was never seen again. A memorial service was finally held in September, 1931.
The congregation still had 1,000 communicants in 1928, but many attended church by streetcar and automobile from outside the area. The school was down to 124 children, but remained open until 1958.
"From World War II on, it's been down, down, down," said Johnson. He joined St. John's 41 years ago when he married Eleanor Fittner, who grew up in the parish. By last spring when longtime Pastor Leo Kostizen resigned without notice, the congregation was down to 60 members. They voted to close the church and a final memorial meeting was conducted on June 30 by the Rev. Richard Gahl, executive director of the Missouri Synod's Ohio district, to mark the death of a congregation.
Hope that the building might be saved as a historic structure ended last week when the state historical society turned it down. Renovation for the $25,000 structure would have cost $400,000, said Johnson. The remaining members have scattered. The Johnsons now attend Zion Lutheran Church in Maple Heights. Others have gone to St. John Lutheran Church in Garfield Heights and Concordia Lutheran Church in Independence, founded from St. John's.
ST. LUKES (GERMAN)
From: Jubilee Edition of Waechter und Anzeiger Newspaper 1902
The newest Lutheran congregation in Cleveland is St. Luke’s out on the West End, whose handsome church is located on Conover near Willard Street. It branched off of Trinity in summer, 1895. Several years earlier Trinity had purchased two lots on Lawn Street, building a school there so that the children in the West would not have to go all the way to Jersey Street. When the congregation was founded in July, 1895, with 75 members by Pastor Niemann, the members agreed that this property would not suffice. It was sold and a better-located place on Conover was obtained for $5,000. The old schoolhouse was transported there and placed on the rear of the property. Construction of the church then began. It was consecrated on January 5, 1896. The constitution was adopted on November 14, 1895 and a month later Pastor H. Sauer arrived. Today this church has 475 members. Two additional rooms have been built for the schoolhouse, which now has 115 children attending, receiving good instruction from the teachers W. Horst and Brakesuehler. Pastor Sauer was born in Mobile, Alabama, the son of a German preacher. His father then took a call in Fort Wayne, which was where Sauer attended parish school and then College. After graduating, he studied theology at Concordia College in St. Louis. Today this church is located at 8601 Sauer Avenue, Phone 216-631-4120
1895 - 1906 – St. Luke’s – Conover near Willard, Rev. Herman Sauer
1908 - 1928 – St. Luke’s – W. 85th near Willard, Rev. Herman Sauer
1928-1944 – St. Luke’s – Rev. Herman Sauer
1945-1953 – St. Luke’s – Rev. George Naumann
1953-1958 – St. Luke’s – Rev. Walter Kirk
1959-1978 – St. Luke’s – Rev. H.H. Quitmeyer
1979 – 1979 – St. Luke’s – Rev. Edgar Luecke
1980-1984 – St. Luke’s – Rev. Rory Hermann
1984-1992 – St. Luke’s – Rev. Charles Althoff
1992 – ??? – St. Luke’s – Rev. Greg Dwyer
ST. MARK CHURCH
4464 Pearl Road (Pearl at Ardmore)
216-749-3546
Rev. J.J. Walker of St. Matthew's Church held services in his home for members who lived in South Brooklyn. In 1897 these members voted to create St. Mark. The first church was located on Ruby Avenue and the second was built in 1908 at Pearl and Ardmore. St. Mark is the oldest Lutheran congregation on the south side of the Big Creek valley (and the fourth oldest congregation in the Old Brooklyn neighborhood, following the Methodists, precursors of the United Church of Christ and Catholics).
Ground was broken for a church and school at the current St. Mark location in 1908. Within a relatively short time the membership grew to such a degree that a bigger church and school were necessary. The core of today’s church and school was dedicated in 1925. St. Mark’s was still conducting a monthly service in the German language until the early 1970s.
1918 - 1928 – St. Marks Church – Pearl at Ardmore, Rev. H.F. Brandes
ST. MATTHEW EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH (GERMAN)
3256 Scranton Rd. at the corner of Meyer
St. Matthew Lutheran Church was organized in 1884 as a German Lutheran Church, founded by several hundred families from Immanuel Lutheran Church, located farther north on Scranton Rd. The original building, located across Meyer Ave. from the present structure, was vacated some years ago. The present brick building was built in 1900 and the Parish Hall in the rear was added about 6 years later. About 1950 the congregation resolved to remain in the area.
THIS CHURCH THEN BECAME:
St. Mark Evangelical Lutheran Church
3256 Scranton Rd.
TODAY THIS CHURCH IS:
Sinai Church Assembly of God
3256 Scranton Road
216-398-6308
From: Jubilee Edition of Waechter und Anzeiger Newspaper 1902
St. Matthew’s Evangelical Lutheran Church branched off of Immanuel Church in 1884, and since January 1, 1885 it has existed as a autonomous congregation. It obtained its first property on Meyer Avenue, between Pearl Street and Scranton Avenue. It erected a two-story building, the first floor used for schooling and the second for services. In autumn, 1884, the congregation and school moved into this building. The first minister was Johann J. Walker who entered office in June, 1885 and still serves the same office. In 1900, the congregation decided to build a new church on the lot already obtained at the corner of Meyer and Scranton Avenues. The new church was consecrated on September 22, 1901. St. Matthew’s congregation currently numbers about 1,350 souls.
1884 - 1893 – St. Matthews – Meyer bet. Pearl and Scranton, Rev. J.J. Walker
1894 - 1906 – St. Matthews – 11 Meyer Ave., Rev. J.J. Walker
1908 – St. Matthews – Scranton at Meyer, Rev. J.J. Walker
1913 - 1928 – St. Matthews – Scranton at Meyer, Rev. George Eyler
ST. PAUL’S (GERMAN)
From: Jubilee Edition of Waechter und Anzeiger Newspaper 1902
The forerunner of St. Paul’s, whose handsome church is located on the corner of Willson Avenue and Spencer Street, is the mission established by Pastor Paul F.G. Schwan as a branch of the Zion Church in 1873 on Superior and Sherwood. At first there was a little school at Superior and Sherwood, which was given over on October 10, 1873 to a double function as a school and church. The mission continued until March 7, 1880 when St. Paul’s was founded with 25 families. In the same year, a wooden church was erected. In 1890 it bought a lot on Willson Avenue and Spencer Street for $6,000 and on July 5, 1895 the construction of a new church was begun. The cornerstone was laid on August 4, 1895. The congregation now numbers 2000 souls, 1426 communicants, and 181 men entitled to vote. The minister is Mr. Paul F.H. Schwan. He was born on January 1, 1851 in Black Jack, near St. Louis, as the eldest of 13 children of Pastor Dr. H.C. Schwan and his wife Emma nee Blum. After attending the Lutheran parish school and the public free school, and receiving an advanced education in Latin from his father, he went at the age of 14 to the Lutheran Gymnasium in Fort Wayne. In 1870 he entered the theological seminary in St. Louis. He passed examination in June, 1873 and was ordained the same month as assistant minister for the eastern district of Zion Church, which his father then oversaw. In 1880 he organized St. Paul’s, which has him largely to thank for its growth and success. Today this church is located at 1486 E. 55th Street, Phone 216-361-0400
1873 - 1883 – St. Paul’s Church – Superior and Willson, Rev. Paul Schwan
1887 - 1906 – St. Paul’s Church – Superior and Sherbrook, Rev. Paul Schwan
1908 - 1924 – St. Paul’s Church – E. 55th at Spencer, Rev. Paul Schwan
1928 – St. Paul’s Church – E. 55th at Spencer, Rev. Edward Friedrich
ST. PETER’S CHURCH (GERMAN)
From: Jubilee Edition of Waechter und Anzeiger Newspaper 1902
It was on May 6, 1883 when 18 members of the Zion Church, corner of Erie and Bolivar Streets, living east of Willson Avenue between Euclid and Kinsman gathered and considered establishing a congregation in the area. They organized themselves as St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Unaltered Augustana in Cleveland, Ohio, East Side. They purchased a lot at the corner of Quincy Street and Craw Avenue on which they built a two-story building. They called Mr. M.A. Treff as pastor. He served for four years and resigned. The next pastor was J.H. Wefel who remained until 1893. The next pastor was Mr. Ernst Jungel who served until autumn 1897. His successor was the current minister, Pastor Fr. Westerkamp. The congregation purchased a lot at the corner of East Madison Avenue and Sherman Street. The construction of a new church and school has begun there. The congregation currently numbers 950 souls, 530 communicants, 100 voting members and had 160 pupils in the school.
1883 – 1887 – St. Peter’s Chapel – Quincy at Craw, Rev. M.A. Treff
1887 - 1893 – St. Peter’s Chapel – Quincy at Craw, Rev. John Wefel
1893 - 1897 – St. Peter’s Church – Quincy at Craw, Rev. Ernst Juengel
1897 - 1908 – St. Peter’s Church – Quincy at Craw, Rev. Frederick Westerkamp
1908 – St. Peter’s Church – E. 79th at Sherman, Rev. Frederick Westerkamp
1913 - 1921 – St. Peter’s Church – E. 79th at Sherman, Rev. George Getsch
1924 – St. Peter’s Church – 2424 E. 79th, Rev. Julius Nickel
ST. THOMAS EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH
21211 Detroit Rd.
Rocky River, OH 44116
440-331-2680
http://www.stcr.org/
Dr. Otto W. Toelke 1944-1950
Rev. Gerhard W. Luebke 1950-1957
Dr. Paul W. Streufert 1958-1973
Rev. Adrian Kelly 1966-1967
Rev. Richard C. Allsing 1968-1971
Rev. Luther O. Dau (associate pastor)
Rev. Phillip B. Giessler 1972-1982
Rev. Raymond A. Miller 1983-1994
Michael Roth 1987-1990 (assistant pastor)
Rev. Eric VanScyoc 1994-present
TRINITY CHURCH (GERMAN)
2031 W. 30th Street
216-281-1700
From: Jubilee Edition of Waechter und Anzeiger Newspaper 1902
Trinity Church may look with pride on its nearly half-century of prosperous existence. Its beginnings were small and unpromising. Great sacrifices had to be made and development was slow. But its growth was steady, and today the congregation counts 1250 souls, has a splendid church, a nice parsonage, and a teacher’s home. All these buildings stand together on one open place on Jersey Street between Lorain and Chatham Street. The property is free of debt. It was the members, who include many respected merchants and citizens on the West Side, who achieved this, as well as their respected minister, Pastor J.H. Niemann.
Until 1853 the few Lutherans on the West Side belong to Zion Church, which then stood on York Street (now Hamilton). In that year the Lutherans of the West Side, still called Ohio City in those days, decided to build a little church and school. The building of wood is still on Chatham Street, being used as a home. Continued grown caused them in 1873 to build a new church. This, the present church, cost $32,000. The roomy school stands behind the church with four rooms. Under the care of experienced teachers, the school has a high reputation.
Several other congregations have emerged from Trinity. In 1859 the Lutheran congregation in North Dover branched off; in 1880 it was Emmanuel Church on Scranton Avenue; in 1889 it was Christ Church on Selden Avenue, and in 1885 St. Luke’s on Florence Street. The mother church has always helped with the purchase of the necessary lots for these congregations and with construction of the churches. Trinity also owns a cemetery of 30 acres on Pearl Street and a 10 acre lot in West Dover for holding missionary and school festivities.
The first minister of the congregation was J.C.W. Lindemann, who headed the congregation from 1853 to 1864. He was followed by F.C.D. Wyneken, who died in 1876. His successor was the present minister, J.H. Niemann. He was born in Hanover, spending his youth in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Since 1880, Pastor Niemann has held the office of district president, and oversees the congregations belonging to the Missouri Synod in Ohio and Indiana.
1853-1864 - Evangelical Protestant (GERMAN) Church - Jersey and Carroll Sts., Rev. John Lindemann
1864-1871 - Evangelical Protestant Church - Jersey and Carroll Sts., Rev. Fr. Wyneken
1871 - 1877 – Trinity Evangelical Lutheran – Jersey and Lorain, Rev. T. Wyneken
1879 – Trinity Church – Jersey and Lorain, Rev. J.H. Niemann and H. Weseloh
1883 - 1906 – Trinity Church – Jersey and Lorain, Rev. J.H. Niemann
1894 - 1898 – Trinity Chapel – 232 Lawn, Rev. John H. Niemann
1908 - 1910 – Trinity Church – W. 30th near Lorain, Rev. John Niemann
1910 - 1932 – Trinity Church – W. 30th at Keene, Rev. Franz Pieper
1933 - 1949 - Trinity Church - W. 30th, Rev. Martin Sommerfeld
1949 - 1957 - Trinity Church - W. 30th, Rev. Richard Meibohm
1958 - 1973 - Trinity Church - W. 30th, Rev. Arthur Ziegler
TRINITY CHURCH – SCRANTON NEAR AIKEN
1921 – Trinity Church – Scranton near Aiken, Rev. Orrin Schroerluk
UNITY LUTHERAN CHURCH
4542 Pearl Road (at Behrwald Avenue)
216-741-2085
From the Old Brooklyn News:
In 1914 a group from St. Mark’s decided that they wanted to add worship services in English, but the majority of people at St. Mark’s weren’t ready for that yet. Those who wanted English withdrew from St. Mark’s, and with the help of the pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church, began meeting in a room over a drug store on Pearl Road. Ultimately they purchased land father south on Pearl Road and built Unity Lutheran Church. The partially completed church was dedicated in 1918; the completed church was dedicated in 1927.
Pastors:
1918 – 1928 – Rev. Robert G. Long
ZION CHURCH (GERMAN)
2062 E. 30th Street
216-861-2179
From: Jubilee Edition of Waechter und Anzeiger Newspaper 1902
The first German Lutherans of Cleveland joined the congregation of the Little Boat of Jesus. Since this congregation did not profess the Lutheran faith, they decided to depart once they felt strong enough. In April, 1843, they established the Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church. The young congregation had 45 communicants. The first pastor was David Schuh, who served for a year. Services were held in the third story of the old Miller Block. This building still stands on the north side of Superior Street, between Seneca and Bank Streets. Pastor Schuh preached every 14 days, and on the Sunday between the service was held by L. Richter. Pastor Schuh resigned in 1844 and Pastor August Schmidt was called at the start of 1845. He held the office until 1851. The hall on Superior Street was too small and the congregation bought a lot at the corner of Hamilton Street and Division Alley on which they built a church and parsonage. The consecration took place on January 20, 1848. At first the narthex of the church served as a school, but later a school was built. Pastor Schmidt resigned and was replaced by Dr. H.C. Schwan who took up his office in 1851. In 1856 the church was moved to the corner of Erie and Bolivar Street. Since the church was too small, the congregation built in 1866 the present large church on Erie and Bolivar. Mr. J. Melcher, 848 Prospect Street, was already chairman of the congregation, a position which he had held from 1856 to the present day. A large school building was built behind the church on Bolivar Street.
The Zion Church is the Lutheran mother congregation of this city. Trinity Church on the West Side as well as the Lutheran churches in Euclid and Independence owe their existence to it. St. John’s on Cable Street branched off in 1878 and in 1879 St. Louis Church on Willson Avenue, and in 1883 St. Peter’s, at the corner of Quincy and Craw Avenue. That was the limit of its function as a mother, but the daughter churches have since developed their own daughters.
Pastor Dr. Schwan was elected president of the entire Missouri Synod in 1881. He gave up his ministry at Zion, which he held for 30 years and now lives as the oldest German pastor of this city on Dibble Avenue. Dr. Schwan’s successor was the present pastor, Carl M. Zorn. This congregation now numbers over 1300 members. The congregation has obtained a new lot on Prospect Street, corner of Sterling, on which it built a great new school last year, and this year a grand church with a parsonage.
Article written by Zion Church, date unknown:
On April 13, 1843, the congregation was founded which later, at the time of its incorporation, adopted the name: Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church of Cleveland, Ohio. This took place forty years after the state of Ohio had been admitted into the Union, and seven years after Cleveland had been incorporated as a city. The population of the city was about 7,500 at that time.
The founders of this new congregation were about 45 communicants who had been members of another church, which they thought was Lutheran, but which they soon found to be rationalistic in its doctrine and unionistic in its practice. Most of them had only recently come from Germany. When they discovered that the church they had joined upon their coming to Cleveland was not a true Lutheran Church, they severed their relations with it and established a new congregation. In the Constitution which they adopted they charged their pastors to be faithful to the Symbolical Books of the Evangelical Lutheran Church and to preach the gospel in all its truth and purity.
The first Church Council of the newly formed congregation consisted of the Elders F. Fey and A. Haas, with the Deacons C. Herth, D. Moeder, C. Pfaff, J. Roth and F. Weiss. As their first pastor they called the Rev. David Schuh. Since Pastor Schuh did not live in the city, he was unable to preach every Sunday. Candidate L. Richter therefore frequently substituted for him.
Since the congregation did not have its own house of worship, services were held in Concert Hall, which was located on the third floor of a business place on the north side of Superior Avenue, between Seneca and Bank Streets.
On Pentecost Sunday in 1843 the first communion service was held, 37 of the 45 members partaking of it. On the same Sunday the first child was baptized and the first couple joined in marriage. The first class of catechumens, one boy and six girls, was confirmed April 5, 1844.
Pastor Schuh resigned his pastorate in October of 1844. The congregation then called the Rev. August Schmidt, who entered upon his duties on January 8, 1845, and served until some time in April, 1851.
During Pastor Schmidt’s pastorate the congregation was incorporated, on March 17, 1847. During this time the above-mentioned Concert Hall, where the congregation was then conducting its services, was also the place of a meeting that was of great importance in the organization of the Missouri Synod. A number of Ohio Synod pastors met from September 13-15, 1845, to discuss the advisability of withdrawing from the Ohio Synod because of its doctrinal laxity. They also considered a constitution for a new Synod to be called into being, and arranged for further discussion of this matter at future meetings. Subsequent meetings were held in St. Louis, Fort Wayne, and Chicago. At the Chicago meeting in April, 1847, this group of men, together with the Saxon immigrants of Perry County, Missouri, organized the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Missouri, Ohio, and Other States. Zion Lutheran Church of Cleveland is, therefore, of the utmost significance in the history of the Missouri Synod.
During Pastor Schmidt’s time the congregation also built its first church. It stood on York St. (now Hamilton Ave.), a little west of E. 9th Street, and was dedicated on January 20, 1848. It was only a simple little church; it had a gabled roof, no steeple, and a chimney in the rear. The outside did not look much like a church at all, but more like an ordinary dwelling. But it meant much to the devout members who, poor as they were, had to make great sacrifices to raise the $6,000 it took to build it.
Pastor Schmidt resigned his charge in April, 1851. The Minutes of the congregation do not indicate the reason for his resignation. During the vacancy that followed, the congregation was served by Pastor F. Steinbach of Liverpool, Ohio.
After Pastor Schmidt’s resignation the congregation called the Rev. Henry C. Schwan of Black Jack, Missouri, as its pastor. He had previously served as a private tutor and house pastor on the plantation of a wealthy coffee planter in Brazil. Pastor Schwan had been recommended to Zion Congregation by Dr. W. Sihler of Fort Wayne, who had learned to know him in Germany.
Pastor Schwan was installed in August, 1851. In 1852 the congregation joined the Missouri Synod, which had been organized in 1847, and immediately invited the Synod to hold its 1853 convention in Cleveland. Synod accepted the invitation, meeting here from June 1-11.
During the year 1852 Pastor Schwan conducted services once a month for a group of Lutherans in South Euclid. This group later organized St. John’s congregation.
In 1853 Zion saw the need of building a school in Ohio City (now the West Side of Cleveland) for the children of its members who lived there. J.C.W. Lindemann, a candidate for the ministry, was called to open the school. He was also to conduct Sunday morning services for the members of Zion who lived in this Western District of the congregation, as well as to make contacts with mission prospects. In 1858 this group became an independent congregation, organizing as Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, with the Rev. Lindemann as its pastor. Pastor Lindemann later became the Director of Synod’s Teachers Seminary in Addison, Illinois.
In 1854 Zion released a number of members who were living in the Newburg area, these members having expressed a desire to build a church nearer their homes. This was the beginning of St. John’s Church in Garfield Heights. Similarly the congregation in 1858 again released a number of its members to organize an independent congregation, St. Paul’s in Dover.
In 1856 a lot was purchased on the south side of Bolivar Ave., east of Erie St. (now E. 9th) and a school was built on it. The church on York St. was also moved to the newly-purchased lot on Bolivar. The congregation would have liked to build a new church immediately, since the old church was no longer adequate for the rapidly increasing membership. The hardships that accompanied the unrest before and during the Civil War, however, made it impossible to undertake a building program at that time.
Immediately after the end of the Civil War in 1865 the congregation began to gather subscriptions for the raising of a fund with which to build a much-needed new church. On Reformation Day, October 31, of that year the congregation resolved to proceed with the building of the new church on a lot on the northeast corner of Bolivar Ave. and Erie St., this lot having been purchased a year before by a number of the members of the congregation. On the Sunday after New Year in 1867 the new church was dedicated, having cost $35,335.72. In 1870, the congregation purchased the lot adjoining its property on the north and built a parsonage on it. A part of this building is still standing. The church has, however, been completely razed.
1843 - 1844 - German Lutheran Church - Erie and Bolivar, Rev. David Schuh
1845 - 1851 - German Lutheran Church - Erie and Bolivar, Rev. August Schmidt
1851 - 1881 – German Lutheran Church – Erie and Bolivar , Rev. H.C. Schwan
1881 - 1902 – Zion Lutheran Church – Erie and Bolivar, Rev. Carl M. Zorn
1908 - 1913 – Zion Church – Prospect at E. 30th, Rev. Carl M. Zorn
1906 - 1908 - Zion Church - Prospect at E. 30th, Rev. Ernest Yaecker
1911 - 1938 – Zion Church – Prospect at E. 30th, Rev. Theo F. Schurdel
1924 – Zion Church – Prospect at E. 30th, Rev. Armin Schroeder
1928 – Zion Church – Prospect at E. 30th, Rev. Theo Schurdel
1938 - 1980 - Zion Church - Prospect at E. 30th, Rev. C.T. Schuknecht
2007 – Zion Church – Prospect at E. 30th, Rev. David Hageman
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
321 Bonnie Lane
Elk Grove, IL 60007
archives@elca.org
ELCA Region 6 Archives
Trinity Lutheran Seminary
2199 E. main Street
Columbus, OH 43209
http://www.elca.org/
Missouri Synod
Concordia Historical Institute
Dept. of Archives and History
801 DeMun Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63105
HOW TO OBTAIN RECORDS FROM CLOSED EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCHES:
All records for Lutheran Churches in the area that are NOW CLOSED are located at the Concordia Historical Institute. The archive number is 314-505-7921 and the Reference and Research number is 314-505-7935. In order to obtain records, you want to call the second number. The records used to be housed at the Missouri Synod Headquarters on Columbia Road, but when they renovated the building, all church records were sent to Concordia Historical Institute. The website is:
Collections: http://lutheranhistory.org/collections/search.asp (search on Cleveland)
How to request info: http://lutheranhistory.org/famhist.asp
Researching your ancestors: http://lutheranhistory.org/ancestor.htm
Fees: http://lutheranhistory.org/researching.htm
email: reference@chi.lcms.org OR chi@lutheranhistory.org
If you are unable to visit St. Louis to do your own research, you may have research done by CHI's reference staff by mail. Fees apply with discounts to Institute members. All inquiries are to be submitted in writing. Initial contact may be made by mail, fax or email. Once you contact them, they will let you know if they have the records you are requesting, how much the cost would be, and they will ask how you would like to pay - by check or credit card. Postage and handling may be extra for large projects and will be billed if necessary.
In order for them to do research for you, you must know the name of a congregation or the pastor's name and an approximate timeframe for the record you are looking for. There is not sufficient staff to do extensive research, however, the staff will attempt to find answers to specific questions such as the date of a marriage or baptism or death.
If you wish to visit there personally, their hours are 8:30 - Noon and 1:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. A $10.00 access fee is charged for entrance.
Here are some records that they have:
Synodical annuals and records from the Missouri Synod and other Lutheran synods, dating back to the 18th Century
Biographical records on Lutheran pastors and teachers
Church records of official acts (baptisms, marriages, etc.)
Microfilm collection
Personal collections of prominent American Lutherans
Historical, theological and collected works
Lutheran periodicals, past and present—bound and on microfilm
Individual church histories and regional data
Of special interest to genealogists in CHI's Reference Room*:
Genealogical reference works
Indexes and dictionaries
Rare atlases
Microfilm and microfiche readers/copier
Concordia Historical Institute Quarterly
Der Lutheraner and Lutheran Witness, plus Lehre und Wehre
Complete Missouri Synod convention proceedings, Statistical Yearbooks and Lutheran Annuals
19th-21st century Lutheran yearbooks and annuals listing congregations and pastors
COSTS:
The first hour of research is free for members and $15.00 for nonmenbers. Additional research perhour is $20 for members and $30 for nonmembers.
Biographical sketch of pastor or teacher: $10
Copy of specific church record for genealogical purposes: $10/record and $2.50 for additional records from same church book.
If you do not require a copy of the record, they will type up what it says and email it to you (for no additional charge other than the $15 research fee for the first hour)
Photocopies:
Members: 1-100 copies are 25 cents each and copies over 100 are 50 cents each.
Nonmember: 1-100 copies are 35 cents each and copies over 100 are 50 cents each.
Photo-reproduction (black and white): 5x7 $10.00 and 8x10 $20.00
Photo-reproduction (color): 5x7 $15.00 and 8x10 $25.00
Digital image scanned and sent to you by email: $10.00
Microfilm loan: Members $20 from CHI, Nonmember $20 through ILL (Note: Not all records are on microfilm)
SAMPLE OF MY REQUEST:
I emailed and asked if they had a picture of the church I was interested in, which is no longer standing, and I also requested four baptismal records. I received a reply the next day in which they included an attachment with their rates and services. They told me that their research fee is $15.00 per hour. For the four records that I requested and the picture, they charged me $25.00. That was $15 to look up the records (done in one hour) and email me typewritten notes from the various records, and $10 to send the scanned picture as an email attachment. If I wanted actual paper copies of the records emailed to me, it would have been $10.00 for the first copy and $2.50 for each additional copy from the same church book. I chose not to get paper copies, but if I had, it would have been a total of $30.00 for just one record - $15.00 one hour research fee, $10.00 copy charge for the first copy, and $5.00 for the email picture. Each additional copy of a record would have been another $2.50. I had exact dates for the records I wanted, so that's why it only took one hour. If you don't have exact dates, then it might get more expensive because it would take them longer to find the records, but, they are so nice and helpful. They will give you a quote as to how long they think it will take and what the charges will be before you finalize your request. You can pay by credit card or check.