St. Stephen's Catholic Church (Cleveland) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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St. Stephen Church
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A view of the church from the front.
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 Location in Cleveland
Location in Ohio
Location in the United States
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| Location | 1930 W. 54th St., Cleveland, Ohio |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1875 |
| Architect | Cudell & Richardson |
| Architectural style | Gothic |
| NRHP reference No. | 77001052 |
| Added to NRHP | November 25, 1977 |
St. Stephen Church is a historic Roman Catholic church in the Detroit-Shoreway neighborhood of Cleveland, Ohio. It was built in a style called Gothic, which is known for its pointed arches and tall structures.
The church was designed by the architects Cudell & Richardson and finished in 1875. Because of its long and important history, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1977. This is a special list of places the U.S. government considers worth protecting.
Contents
History of the Church
Why Was the Church Built?
In the 1860s, many German-speaking Catholics lived on the west side of Cleveland. Their first church, St. Mary's, became very crowded. A new church was needed for the growing community.
In 1869, Bishop Louis Amadeus Rappe asked a priest to build a new place for them. The first building was two stories tall. The top floor was the church, and the bottom floor was a school for about 200 families. The new parish held its first service on May 1, 1870.
Building a Bigger Church
By 1873, the parish had grown so much that it needed an even bigger church. The architectural firm Cudell & Richardson was hired to design the beautiful stone building that still stands today.
Building the new church was not easy. A tough economic time in the country stopped construction. The church members, called parishioners, helped raise money by mortgaging their own homes. Thanks to their efforts, the new church was dedicated on November 20, 1881. Talented German and Hungarian woodworkers volunteered to finish the amazing details inside.
Growth and Challenges
Over the next 40 years, the parish grew. It added a home for the priest, a convent for nuns, and two school buildings. One of these became a high school for girls.
Like many cities, Cleveland's population grew after World War II, and so did the church. However, on June 8, 1953, a powerful tornado hit the area and badly damaged the church. The community worked quickly to repair it, and the church reopened just a few months later.
By the 1970s, many families had moved to the suburbs, and the school's student numbers went down. The high school closed in 1970. In 1986, St. Stephen School joined with two other schools to form the Metro Catholic School.
In 2010, the Diocese of Cleveland had to close some parishes. However, St. Stephen's was allowed to stay open because of its historical importance.
Architecture and Design
The church is built almost entirely of stone, mostly a type called Amherst stone. It is 165 feet long and 74 feet wide. The building is designed in a cruciform shape, which looks like a cross from above.
Inside, the church has a stunning Gothic style.
- Altars and Pulpit: The main altar, side altars, and the pulpit (a raised platform for speaking) are all made of oak wood. They are covered in detailed German woodcarvings.
- Pillars: Six huge wooden pillars stand on each side of the main altar. They branch out near the ceiling, looking like trees.
- Pews and Floors: The pews, or benches, are also made of oak. The floor in the main area is made of black and white marble tiles.
St. Stephen's Today
St. Stephen's is still an active Roman Catholic parish in the Diocese of Cleveland. It holds regular church services, including some in German and in Latin, honoring its long history.
The church hosts many community events and fundraisers. It also offers a German summer camp for children. The camp introduces kids to the German language through fun activities like games and crafts.
