St. Paul's Episcopal Church (Medina, Ohio) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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[St. Paul's Episcopal Church]
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Front of the church
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 Location in Ohio
Location in the United States
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| Location | 317 E. Liberty St., Medina, Ohio |
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| Area | 1.7 acres (0.69 ha) |
| Built | 1884 |
| Architect | Gordon W. Lloyd |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 82003613 |
| Added to NRHP | June 1, 1982 |
St. Paul's Episcopal Church is a very old and important church in Medina, Ohio, United States. It was started in the 1810s and was actually the first church in Medina! Today, people worship in a beautiful building built in the 1880s. This building is so special that it's been named a historic site. It's built in a style called Gothic Revival, which looks a bit like old castles or cathedrals.
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History of St. Paul's Church
The first preacher in Medina Township was an Episcopal priest named R. Searle. He came from Connecticut in 1817. His first sermon in the area was given at Zenas Hamilton's house on March 11, 1817.
Soon after, Reverend Searle started a church group dedicated to St. Paul. The very first church building was put up on April 10. Because there weren't many resources, this building was used by both the Episcopalians and another group called the Congregationalists.
As Medina grew, the church moved into the town. For a while, the church members met in the courthouse. Later, a new church building made of wood was finished. In the 1880s, the church decided to build a brand new, bigger building. This new church was finished in 1884 and officially opened in 1887.
What Does the Church Look Like?
The church building you see today is the one finished in 1887. The church leaders asked a famous architect named Gordon W. Lloyd to design it. They knew his work from other places like Michigan and Pennsylvania. This was one of the last churches Lloyd designed.
Building Materials and Shape
The church walls are made of sandstone, which is a type of rock. They sit on a strong stone foundation. The roof is covered with slate, a dark gray rock that's good for roofing.
The church's floor plan is shaped like a cross. This is common for many old Anglican churches. It has a tall tower above the entrance area, called the narthex. The main part of the church where people sit is called the nave. It's a long, rectangular room.
Special Features of the Church
The cross shape comes from two side sections called transepts. These connect to the chancel, which is the area near the altar. The tower also looks like traditional Anglican churches. It has a belfry (where bells might be) with a steep, pyramid-shaped roof. There are also louvred openings, which are like angled slats.
The main part of the church has tall, pointed windows called ogive windows. The front of the church has a gabled facade, meaning the roof comes to a point like a triangle. You can also see small, clover-leaf-shaped windows on the tower, above the main entrance and below the larger windows.
Why is St. Paul's Church Important?
In 1982, St. Paul's Church was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This is a list of important places in the United States. It's one of ten places in Medina on this list. The church was chosen because of its amazing architecture. It's considered the best example of a Gothic Revival church building in all of Medina County.
St. Paul's Church is still an active church today. It is part of the Summit Mission Area of the Diocese of Ohio. The current leader of the church is Kelly Aughenbaugh.
