Pilgrim Congregational Church (Cleveland, Ohio) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Pilgrim Congregational Church
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 Location in Cleveland
Location in Ohio
Location in the United States
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| Location | 2592 W. 14th St., Cleveland, Ohio |
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| Area | Less than 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1894 |
| Architect | Sidney R. Badgley; Jacob Schade |
| Architectural style | Richardsonian Romanesque |
| NRHP reference No. | 76001399 |
| Added to NRHP | March 17, 1976 |
The Pilgrim Congregational Church is a very old church building in Cleveland, Ohio, United States. It belongs to a group called the United Church of Christ. The church was built in the 1890s, but the church group itself started in the 1850s. Because of its history and special design, it was named a historic site in the 1970s.
Contents
History of Pilgrim Congregational Church
The story of Pilgrim Congregational Church began in 1854. A group of Congregationalists started a Sunday school in Cleveland's Tremont area. Their hard work led to the creation of a church five years later, in 1859.
The church members started building their first church home in 1865. It took a few years to finish, finally opening in 1870. But this building was only big enough for a short time. Just 23 years later, they began building the church you see today.
The name "Pilgrim Congregational Church" was chosen in 1894 when the new building was finished. Before that, the church had different names. In the 1870s, it was called "Heights Congregational Church." In the 1880s, it was known as "Jennings Avenue Congregational Church."
This new church building was special from the very beginning. It was one of the first buildings west of the Cuyahoga River in Cleveland to have electricity. This was a big deal back then!
Architecture and Design
The Pilgrim Congregational Church was designed by a famous Cleveland architect named Sidney Badgley. It cost about $150,000 to build, which was a huge amount of money at the time.
The church has a mostly square shape. It is built in a style called Richardsonian Romanesque. This style is known for its strong, heavy look and round arches. You can see this in the large, round rose windows on the north and east sides of the church.
When it was built, the church was very involved in helping the community. Two-thirds of the building was used for social programs. It had rooms for young men to play games, a library, and even a gymnasium.
The tallest part of the church is a square tower with a pointed roof. This tower has tall, arched windows. Above these, you can see circular windows and a belfry, which is where the church bells would be. The main entrance to the church is also through a large arch, at the top of a wide set of stairs.
A Historic Landmark
In 1976, the Pilgrim Congregational Church was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is recognized as an important historical place. It earned this honor for two main reasons: its role in local history and its special architecture.
When the church was finished, people called it an "epoch-making church building." This means it was a very important and new kind of church design. Just four years after it was built, its plans were even shown at the Paris Exhibition in 1900. It was used as an example of the newest church designs of that time.
The Pilgrim Congregational Church was one of twenty places in Cuyahoga County added to the National Register in 1976.
See also
In Spanish: Iglesia Congregacional Pilgrim para niños
