Cleveland, Ohio

Photographer's note:  I have long been intrigued with the role churches and religious institutions play in the decline and revitalization of a urban neighborhood.   Congregates move to the suburbs and places of worship follow, often leaving vacant buildings in their wake.  Some of these buildings, in time, fortunately find adaptive reuse, while others unfortunately decay.  Often, when one congregation moves out, another moves in, usually one that reflects the changing makeup of the neighborhood.  These changes will serve as the basis for future photo essays.

(c) Frank A. Mills / Urban Paradoxes, 2007

St. Mary's Romanian Church

1925

Gordon Square

This is Cleveland's second oldest Romanian Orthodox Church (dedicated just days after Cleveland's oldest Romanian Church, St. Helena's Byzantine Catholic Church, just around the corner and one of the oldest west of the Appalachians, now a performance theater.  The Gordon Square neighborhood was once home to the largest Romanian population in the US.  Although rebuilt, St. Helena's is still functioning in her original capacity and location as a Romanian Byzantine Catholic Church.

Superior Street Baptist Church

1891

Midtown Cleveland

From 1887 through 1902 John D. Rockefeller, a Baptist, made significant contributions to this church, apparently to underwrite the salary of the pastor.  It appears that at least one Rockefeller was a member of the church.  Most recently the building functioned as a used furniture store and then an art gallery.

(Note the loading door)

St Paul's Evangelical Church

Date Unknown

Larchmere Neighborhood

Now the  "A Cultural Exchange," a literacy-based non-profit, multicultural arts exchange for children.

St. Peter's Church

1853

Midtown / Downtown

This is Cleveland's oldest Roman Catholic Church, although still active it is soon to be closed by the diocese.  Note, though grown over  doors and locked  gates.  The larger building is St. Peter's Parish Hall and School, long abandoned.

Deutsche Kirche

Brethren In Christ

1868

Orchard Park Neighborhood

Now occasionally used by an independent church

St John's Episcopal Church

1836-38, 1875

Franklin Circle Neighborhood

St. John's is the oldest consecrated church in Cuyahoga County, Ohio.   The church was designed and built by the noted  church architect, Hezekiah Eldridge.  In truth, St. John's is not a unused relic, as it is still in active use.  However, the Parish Office entrance in the photograph, which connects the church to the parish hall next door (1875) is rarely used.  Today, it is overgrown and mostly serves as a place for the homeless to bed down.