The Old Stone Church

The Old Stone Church, long a downtown Cleveland landmark, has a congregation dating back to 1820. Officially known as The First Presbyterian Society, it was founded at a time when Cleveland was just a village of a few hundred people.

The first church building was dedicated on February 26, 1834, on the northwest corner of Public Square, the historical center of downtown Cleveland. The building, of Tuscan-style architecture, was built of gray sandstone. It was the first stone church in Cleveland and was known as The Stone Church. Later, as the sandstone darkened, the name became The Old Stone Church.

Old Stone is the only remaining building to have been in existence during the lighting of Public Square with Charles Brush's arc light in 1879. Stained-glass windows were added during the years following the Sanctuary restoration of 1884. In 1885, the window overlooking Public Square was dedicated in memory of Amasa Stone. This magnificent window was designed and executed by John LaFarge.

In the same year, the first of four Louis Comfort Tiffany windows was also dedicated:The Recording Angel (east wall). In 1915, a second Tiffany window, Beside the Still Waters(west wall), was given. Christ Blessing Little Children, designed by J. and R. Lamb, was added to the east wall in 1920. Two additional Tiffany windows were dedicated in 1930: The Sower on the east wall; I Am the Resurrection and the Life on the west wall. Both of these windows are signed.

Visitor Note: The Civic Center Take a Hike tour begins at this historic location, weekly during the May-September tour season.