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| Our History Since 1833 |  | |
On February 9th, 1833, Articles of Faith were completed and on February 16th 1833, with these opening words "The Council called by the Baptist Conference in Cleveland desiring recognition and fellowship as a Baptist Church..." The First Baptist Church in Cleveland, Ohio was established. Its first minister was the Rev. Richmond Taggart.
From the very first the church was diligent in founding Sunday Schools and starting other churches. In 1849 it helped to start the Shiloh Baptist Church with the Second Baptist Church (later know as the Euclid Ave. Baptist Church) following in 1851 and the Third Baptist Church (located on the west side of Cleveland) established in 1855.
As the city of Cleveland grew the Church grew and with that growth the members found they needed more space. The church began moving further eastward until it reached its present location on Fairmount Blvd.
The following sections outline some of the major events and moves The First Baptist Church has made during its long history in Cleveland. The history section is followed by an explanation about some of the Christian symbols that have been incorporated in the existing structure today:
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| Ice was broken on Lake Erie on January 28, 1833, so that four adults could be baptized, according to their convictions. The First Baptist Church was formed with 17 members. |
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| The first church building was erected on the southwest corner of the village square where the Terminal Tower stands now. The brick building, 55 by 80 feet, had a spire, bell and town clock, all at a cost of $14,000. The members struggled for many years to pay off the debt.
At one time the bell was attached and sold (to a church member). Later, they nearly lost the chandeliers and lamps until a member paid the amount necessary to save them. |
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| The village had become a city and it was time to move to a larger place of worship. Looking east, an opportunity was presented. The Plymouth congregation had invested $40,000 in a building on the southwest corner of E 9th and Euclid. It was still incomplete when they ran into financial problems. FBC bought it for $29,000 and for an additional $10,000 reconstructed the inside and added a spire, bell and clock. |
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| The city and the congregation were growing and another move was needed. Idaka Chapel, a mission church of FBC was located at E. 46th and Prospect Avenue. This was a lovely building in a good location. A new, larger sanctuary was added and the congregation moved in debt free. (This property was later sold for the cut through from Carnegie Avenue to Prospect Avenue.) |
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| Time to think about another move!! At this time another group had formed Heights Baptist Church and was meeting in Coventry School. The two congregations appointed a committee to draft regulations and in December, 1928, the FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF GREATER CLEVELAND was formed.
At this time, a new, larger church with a larger parking lot was being planned. It was agreed that no more than 10% of the $800,000 cost should be paid for the land. An 8 acre tract bounded by Fairmount Boulevard, Eaton Road and Shelburne Road was for sale. It belonged to O.P. and M.J. Van Sweringen. The committee approached the brothers and asked how much of the land they could buy for $75,000. The Vans were unwilling to sell only part of the lane, worth $130,000 to $140,000. But as architectural plans were developed, they were very interested in seeing a church built on the site and they liked the FBC plans. They ultimately offered the whole 8 acres for $75,000, if they could approve certain outside design features in keeping with their real estate development.
The terms:
• $25,000 initial payment
• $25,000 one year later
• $25,000 the following year with interest on the unpaid balance.
When the treasurer went to the real estate office with the final payment with the full amount, they were told that the owners had canceled the final payment, including the interest!
The new building plans and construction underwent compromises demanded by the budget. Walker and Weeks, Architects, had submitted numerous designs for the tower, any of which suited most of the people, but Ambrose Swasey, Chairman of the design committee, could not accept any of them. He rejected each saying "Humph! I wouldn't put that on a hen coop." After about 15 rejections, the architects submitted another. Dr. Swasey declared, "Now you have it!" All were pleased until one architect said, "But this will cost about $50,000 more". Dr. Swasey turned to the treasurer and said quietly, "Increase my pledge by $50,000.
• April 15, 1928 - Groundbreaking
• June 12, 1928 - Laying of the cornerstone
• October 14, 1928 - The Rev. Dr. Harold Cooke Phillips installed
• June 2 - 9, 1929 - New building dedicated
The building was not finished! By 1956 there were 300 children in Sunday school and more room was needed. The Education Building (west wing) was added and dedicated in 1958. Currently the building is used all week for the Week Day Ministries program. We have 150 children, including babies from 6 weeks of age to children in Kindergarten. The building is bustling with activity from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily.
The Gothic architecture incorporates many Christian symbols, a carry-over from times before most people could read. Look for:
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| The ANGEL with outspread wings which acclaims the preacher as God's messenger. The SWORD, God's word is a keen edged sword. The CREATURES, 2 on each side of the pulpit, representing Matthew, Mark, Luke and John each with wings, carrying a book (His gospel). ALPHA AND OMEGA for Christ. |
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| Each bear animal images. Lion= power, Ox = patience, Squirrel= forethought, Pelican = piety, Cock = faithful minister, Owl = wisdom of occupant. |
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| A tall cross of thick pierced stone. In center, a smaller cross surrounded by a winged man, lion, ox and eagle, each holding his gospel. Beneath them, a dove (the Holy Spirit) descending toward a sheaf of wheat (to harvest the souls of men). On each side, tree of life, and on the lower wall, the mighty ship of the Church of Christ. |
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| Owl, sheaf of wheat, grapes ("I am the vine") rose of Christ and pomegranate of resurrection. |
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| Over main doorway: Lamb of God carries the banner of victory on the book of seven seals as the dove descends (Spirit of God), on the left: the thistle of sin; on the right : The Messianic rose of Christ; above door: tree of life, shields on either side bear letters IHC AND XPC, contractions of Greek words which mean Jesus and Christ. |
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| The four winged creatures and four angel messengers. Over the doorway, the torch of knowledge, which is the light of the world. |
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| On the northeast corner of the church. Window covered by pierced stone grille bearing symbols of the passion week- crown of thorn, nails, lantern of betrayal, chalice and cross, and the cock that crowed after Peter's denial. Center of the grille is the Lamb of God lying on the book of the seven seals and carrying a cross. |
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| More symbols. Can you find the hourglass, Noah's Ark with rainbow, dove with olive branch, pelican, torch, lily, sunrise and crosses? |
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| Are irreplaceable and were created by six craftsmen. Most were given as family memorials. Two Rose Windows from the E. 46th Street church can be seen only from the outside. Two large windows in the north and south walls dominate the sanctuary. The 5 east side windows are centered by the Christ window, which were paid for by the entire church membership. Children brought pennies and others gave any amount they could. The four writers of the gospels are depicted on either side of the Christ window. Across the sanctuary on the west side are four others important in early Christian history: John the Baptist, Stephen, Peter and Paul.
It should be noted that there are two types of stained glass windows. Those that are made to be seen from the outside, when lighted from within the church, and those that can be seen in full beauty only when the power of the sun shines through them. The First Baptist Church windows are of the latter design and must be seen from inside the church to be enjoyed.
Two more small windows are of interest and were given by Dr. Harold Cooke Phillips. One, in memory of his mother, is at the foot of the stairway to Swasey Tower. The other, in memory of his grandmother, is at the entrance to Phillips Chapel.
Information from "History of the First Baptist Church of Greater Cleveland 1833-1968", written by a Church History Committee chaired by Mr. Carl B. White. It was condensed in September, 1993 for Shaker Heights Historic Homes and Building Tour.
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Our historical documents outline our beginnings in 1833.
Our first church home from 1836 to 1855 was located on what is now the site of the Terminal Tower on Cleveland's Public Square.
Our second church home from 1855 to 1887 located on the corner of Euclid Ave. and Erie Street.
Our third church home from 1887 to 1929 located at the corner of Prospect Ave. and E-46th Street.
Groundbreaking ceremony in April 1928 for our present building on Fairmount Blvd.
It was a very joyous time when the cornerstone was laid in June 1928.
Construction started in earnest and was completed in June of 1929.
Rev. Dr. Harold Cooke Phillips the first minister of our Fairmount church home.
Overflowing Sunday School attendance dictated our 1956 Education Wing addition.
The pulpit angel acclaims the preacher as "God's Messager" .
Our thick pierced stone cross (Reredos) behind the altar.
Main doorway balcony.
Each face of the Tower shows a winged creature (depicting the Gospels) and a winged messenger.
Passion Week symbols under the northeast small belcony.
Our stained glass windows depict scenes from the lives of Christ and the Gospel writers.
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