Today we start a series on the buildings of Public Square in downtown Cleveland. First up, is the oldest building still on Public Square, the Old Stone Church. We can trace the beginnings of worship on the site back to 1820, when Cleveland’s population was only in the hundreds. The original First Presbyterian Church was constructed and dedicated in February, 1834. But this little congregation quickly outgrew their building and the current Old Stone Church was constructed and finished in August, 1855.
The church did suffer to major fires, one in 1857 and another in 1884 but was reconstructed using the original plans of the building. It is still an active church today.
Inside the Old Stone Church you will find many beautiful stained glass windows, four of which were designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany himself. To see the stained glass windows, check out the Old Stone Church’s website.
The large church bell that sits in front of the church today, was the bell that was rang to call mourners to Public Square to view Abraham Lincoln’s body as it made it’s way from Washington, DC to his final resting place. It is said that over 9,000 people per hour passed through Public Square to pay their respects.
Our walking tour meets right across the street from the Old Stone Church in front of the statue of Mayor Tom Johnson. Book your walking tour today!
