Visit Cleveland, Ohio's Historical Churches and Temples

Nothing is quite as beautiful and filled with ambience than historic holy places. Cleveland, Ohio is a great place to go to tour some of America's biggest church and temple historical landmarks. The following list highlights some of the best tours available.

Old Stone Church

Since 1820, the sweet strains of a congregation's hymns have been heard emanating from the Old Stone Church. This historic gem is especially noted for its stained glass windows installed over a period from 1885 to 1976, and the magnificent organ. There are four Louis C. Tiffany stained glass windows and a magnificent John La Farge triple window overlooking Public Square. The present organ was built by the famed Cleveland Holtkamp Organ Company and was installed in 1976 within the beautiful casework of an 1895 William Johnson organ.

First United Methodist Church

This church is a National Landmark and has been standing since 1903. In the early years, the membership was around 2,000. Today the membership is about 650. There are worship services and also guided tours. This church also features a Labyrinth, which is open to the public the first Thursday of every month.

St. John African Methodist Episcopal Church

The Rev. William Paul Quinn founded St. John A.M.E. Church in 1830. The present location was purchased December 3, 1907 with Rev. Ira Collins as the pastor. On Oct. 7, 1974, St. John A.M.E. Church was designated a Cleveland Historic Landmark and St. John was also placed on the National Register of Historical Places in 1982. In February 1995, the church was added to the African American Heritage Trail Tour (site No. 7) of historic places in the city of Cleveland.

Trinity Cathedral

Trinity Cathedral is the first church building within the Cleveland village limits. Today the Cathedral sits in the downtown quadrangle neighborhood. Over the years, Trinity Cathedral has been host to many diocesan, ecumenical, and community events that have included consecrations of bishops, diocesan conventions, and festivals, such as the annual Boar's Head and Yule Log Festival. This church features three Labyrinths.

Antioch Baptist Church

Founded in 1893, Antioch Baptist Church was the second African-American Baptist church established in Cleveland. It currently hosts a congregation of 1,500. Antioch's history includes an 111-year service record of providing services to the local community.

St. Colman Church

The St. Colman parish congregation gathers in a spectacular limestone structure built between 1913-1918. Irish craftsmen completed much of the fine interior furnishings, which were shipped over from Europe despite war delays. The church is a designated Cleveland Landmark and is also listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Church of St. Stanislaus

The cornerstone of this church was laid in 1886 and the structure was completed in 1891. On April 21, 1909, a tornado destroyed the twin spires at the front of the church and also devastated the roof. The parishioners bonded together and rebuilt the church within the year. The church was designated the Shrine Church of St. Stanislaus on May 8, 2004 at the 5:00 PM Mass.