Old Stone Church

Church on the Square

The Old Stone Church is the oldest building on Cleveland’s Public Square, dating back to 1820, when a group of villagers began meeting on the site.

The Old Stone Church, dating to 1820, is the oldest building on Cleveland’s Public Square, as well as the second church established within the city. The origins of the church date back to 1819, when a group of villagers (Cleveland was a small village at that time) began meeting on the site. Among them was Rebecca Carter who with her husband, Lorenzo, had been the first permanent white settlers in Cleveland. The first church building was dedicated on February 26, 1834, on the northwest corner of Public Square. The first 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;” as the sandstone darkened, the name became “The Old Stone Church”. The church was consecrated by the Rev. John Keep, the last of six home missionaries recruited by the Connecticut Missionary Service for “frontier service” to Congregational and Presbyterian groups.

Fires damaged The Old Stone Church in 1857 and 1884, but influential members convinced the congregation that the building should be restored. The present-day design of The Old Stone Church is Victorian Romanesque. A trussed wood, barrel-vaulted ceiling with a clerestory area on both sides highlight the 600 seat Sanctuary. The stained-glass windows include one created by John LaFarge, installed in 1885, and several by Louis Comfort Tiffany.

An active, living congregation gathers at The Old Stone Church on Sunday mornings at 10 a.m. Visitors are welcome to join in the worship services.

Notes for Travelers

Guided tours are available Monday through Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Please call ahead if you have a group of ten or more people.