Plymouth Church of Shaker Heights
Encyclopedia
Plymouth Church of Shaker Heights is a church located in Shaker Heights, Ohio
, USA. It is a member of the United Church of Christ
. The Senior Minister is Rev. Dr. Shawnthea Monroe. The church building, dedicated in 1923, has been designated a landmark by the Shaker Heights Landmarks Commission.
took the name Plymouth Congregational Church at the suggestion of the Rev. Henry Ward Beecher
.
During the 19th Century, the church had various locations in Cleveland, including Euclid Avenue and East 9th Street (1853), Prospect Avenue near East 9th Street (1857), and Prospect Avenue and East 22nd Street (1882). In 1864, Mt. Zion Congregational Church was formed at Plymouth Church. Under the leadership of the Rev. Charles Terry Collins, Plymouth also formed Olivet Mission to work as an outreach in the Czech community. The Plymouth Church congregation disbanded in 1913 due to a loss of members and a lack of money.
by the Van Sweringen Brothers
provided for land for five churches. To provide one of the churches, Plymouth Church was reconstituted in 1916 with the aid of the Congregational Union as a Congregational Community Church. Worship began in Shaker Heights on September 3, 1916 using a temporary chapel, and soon thereafter planning began for a permanent building. The cornerstone for the present church was laid on June 27, 1920, and worship began in the sanctuary on February 11, 1923. The structure, designed by architect Charles S. Schneider
, is considered one of the best examples of the Georgian Colonial style in the region.
In 1951 work began on the addition of two wings, one on each side of the original structure, to provide additional offices, education classrooms and a chapel. The addition was dedicated on February 15, 1953. In 1964, a new Holtkamp organ
was installed in the sanctuary, and the choir loft was removed to make room for 2,851 organ pipes, while the chancel was remodeled in order to accommodate the choir.
From its inception, the church was a member of the Congregational Churches
, and later the Congregational Christian Churches
. It decided by congregational vote to affiliate with the United Church of Christ
in 1963. It became a gay-accepting Open and Affirming
congregation by congregational vote in February 2005.
Shaker Heights, Ohio
Shaker Heights is a city in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, United States. As of the 2010 Census, the city population was 28,448. It is an inner-ring streetcar suburb of Cleveland that abuts the city on its eastern side.-Topography:Shaker Heights is located at...
, USA. It is a member of the United Church of Christ
United Church of Christ
The United Church of Christ is a mainline Protestant Christian denomination primarily in the Reformed tradition but also historically influenced by Lutheranism. The Evangelical and Reformed Church and the Congregational Christian Churches united in 1957 to form the UCC...
. The Senior Minister is Rev. Dr. Shawnthea Monroe. The church building, dedicated in 1923, has been designated a landmark by the Shaker Heights Landmarks Commission.
Plymouth Congregational Church
The church traces its origins to the Free Presbyterian Church, formed in 1850 by members of the First Presbyterian Church (Old Stone Church) who objected to that church's moderate stand on slavery. It associated with the Congregational Church two years later, and on August 17, 1852took the name Plymouth Congregational Church at the suggestion of the Rev. Henry Ward Beecher
Henry Ward Beecher
Henry Ward Beecher was a prominent Congregationalist clergyman, social reformer, abolitionist, and speaker in the mid to late 19th century...
.
During the 19th Century, the church had various locations in Cleveland, including Euclid Avenue and East 9th Street (1853), Prospect Avenue near East 9th Street (1857), and Prospect Avenue and East 22nd Street (1882). In 1864, Mt. Zion Congregational Church was formed at Plymouth Church. Under the leadership of the Rev. Charles Terry Collins, Plymouth also formed Olivet Mission to work as an outreach in the Czech community. The Plymouth Church congregation disbanded in 1913 due to a loss of members and a lack of money.
Plymouth Church of Shaker Heights
The planning of Shaker HeightsShaker Heights, Ohio
Shaker Heights is a city in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, United States. As of the 2010 Census, the city population was 28,448. It is an inner-ring streetcar suburb of Cleveland that abuts the city on its eastern side.-Topography:Shaker Heights is located at...
by the Van Sweringen Brothers
Van Sweringen brothers
Oris Paxton Van Sweringen and Mantis James Van Sweringen were brothers who became railroad barons in order to develop Shaker Heights, Ohio. They are better known as O.P. Van Sweringen and M.J. Van Sweringen, or by their collective nickname, the Vans...
provided for land for five churches. To provide one of the churches, Plymouth Church was reconstituted in 1916 with the aid of the Congregational Union as a Congregational Community Church. Worship began in Shaker Heights on September 3, 1916 using a temporary chapel, and soon thereafter planning began for a permanent building. The cornerstone for the present church was laid on June 27, 1920, and worship began in the sanctuary on February 11, 1923. The structure, designed by architect Charles S. Schneider
Charles Sumner Schneider
Charles Sumner Schneider was an American architect active in Ohio.Schneider was born in Cleveland to Rev. William F. and Amanda Schneider. He received his first architectural training in the office of Meade & Garfield, and afterwards studied at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris...
, is considered one of the best examples of the Georgian Colonial style in the region.
In 1951 work began on the addition of two wings, one on each side of the original structure, to provide additional offices, education classrooms and a chapel. The addition was dedicated on February 15, 1953. In 1964, a new Holtkamp organ
Holtkamp Organ Company
The Holtkamp Organ Company of Cleveland, Ohio is one of America's oldest builders of pipe organs. Founded in 1855 by G.F. Votteler, the company was passed on to the Holtkamps in 1931...
was installed in the sanctuary, and the choir loft was removed to make room for 2,851 organ pipes, while the chancel was remodeled in order to accommodate the choir.
From its inception, the church was a member of the Congregational Churches
Congregational church
Congregational churches are Protestant Christian churches practicing Congregationalist church governance, in which each congregation independently and autonomously runs its own affairs....
, and later the Congregational Christian Churches
Congregational Christian Churches
The Congregational Christian Churches were a Protestant Christian denomination that operated in the U.S. from 1931 through 1957. On the latter date, most of its churches joined the Evangelical and Reformed Church in a merger to become the United Church of Christ. Others created the National...
. It decided by congregational vote to affiliate with the United Church of Christ
United Church of Christ
The United Church of Christ is a mainline Protestant Christian denomination primarily in the Reformed tradition but also historically influenced by Lutheranism. The Evangelical and Reformed Church and the Congregational Christian Churches united in 1957 to form the UCC...
in 1963. It became a gay-accepting Open and Affirming
Open and affirming
Open and Affirming is an official designation of congregations and other settings within the United Church of Christ denomination affirming the full inclusion of gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender persons in that setting's life and ministry.The Open and Affirming program is administered...
congregation by congregational vote in February 2005.