Lutheran Churches of (mostly) Northwest Ohio

Grace Lutheran, Fremont - exterior

2011-04-22T17:45:00.003-04:00

Utterly magnificent ... palatial ... the best Lutheran church in NW Ohio! Now THIS is what I'm talking about when I say, small town treasure!

This Gothic Revival masterpiece was built in 1928-29. In 1946, the church began an ambitious project to replace the stained glass windows, which continued for over 25 years! Those windows are also masterpieces which will be covered in another post, just as extensively as I can!

This aerial photo of the entire complex is from the back cover of a book detailing the stained glass windows. The sanctuary, parish house, and former parsonage, now used for offices, cover an entire city block and wrap themselves around a cloistered courtyard. The church itself is cruciform in its layout.

I love these lacy quatrefoils ...

The parish house from inside the courtyard.

Wonderful carvings of an owl and eagle over a parish house door.

Nice monastic feel to this ...

The sanctuary windows also used to be this sort of smoke-glass geometric, but the congregation eventually decided to make some changes -- and they went whole-hog with it. The windows as they are now, beautifully complement the elegant, palatial nature of the building.

Nice!

The former parsonage houses a day care center as well as the church offices.

Even the downspouts have class!

This green man standing watch at a rear door is a nice little surprise ...

Reaching for the sky, this beautiful steeple over the left transept ...

No names will be mentioned ...

2010-10-23T18:44:00.006-04:00

One day in the summer of 2009, I headed to a town ... we'll just say somewhere east of Toledo, and spent the day photographing some stunning old churches (both Lutheran and Catholic). Near the end of the day, as I was heading out of town, I came upon another Lutheran church and stopped to take some exterior shots, none of which appear here because I don't wish to make the church readily identifiable. When planning a road trip, it is my usual habit to contact out-of-town churches and set up a time when I can get inside to take a few shots; however, I have visited a few churches unannounced and requested permission to take photos, which the church in question is free to either allow or disallow. Seeing that some folks were arriving for a meeting, I decided to knock on the door and ask permission to take photos.

I did so and was greeted by a gracious-enough gentleman who went to get a certain lady who turned out to be involved with church council. Wow ... from her reaction, you'd think I had asked permission to set the place on fire. First, she demanded in a confrontational manner to see my ID, which of course I produced because I have no problem with identifying myself. She then said I could come in for a few minutes but that they were getting ready to have a meeting. What I should have done right then was just LEAVE, and tell her I'd contact the church office. But knowing that I probably wouldn't get back out that way, I did go in and took as many shots of the sanctuary as I could squeeze into five minutes. While I was doing this, I was approached again by this lady, who basically began to interrogate me about why I was taking pictures and what I was going to do with them. She was clearly suspicious of my presence. She kept asking me my name; I finally asked her name, of which she gave only her first name. I explained this blog to her as politely as possible. I didn't hesitate to drop both my pastor's name AND Bishop Lohrmann's name, since he knows about this blog. I didn't say what I was really thinking, which was, lady, I'm NOT casing this place and I'm NOT going to be waiting outside with a gun!

The church was built in the 1970's, to replace an older building which still stands, and is now used by a different denomination. The congregation itself goes back much further. Among the items they brought from their old building are a nice altar crucifix and a lovely statue of Christ. The newer font nicely complements the ultramodern character of the church itself.

I had originally intended to post no photos of this church. But well over a year later, I said forget it, I'm putting up a few of these because they're nice photos! I appreciate being allowed with no advance notice to take the photos I did; but if it was really that much of an inconvenience for me to be there even for five minutes, or if anyone there was really that suspicious about my motives, why didn't they just say no??? It would have been fine; I would have understood!

I just hope that if total strangers come walking in there on Sunday morning -- and that may well be happening since the church is located in a tourist area -- that they are given a much warmer welcome!

Messiah Lutheran, Point Place, Toledo

2010-06-15T11:30:00.001-04:00

This is the church that holds my earliest memories, that I grew up in, where I was baptized and confirmed. My adult life has taken me away from Point Place, however; and I had not returned since my brother's wedding over 25 years ago. Then, a couple years ago, I had the opportunity to attend an Easter vigil service at this church. A look at their website left me unexpectedly surprised and delighted with the photos of the extensive renovation that the church had undergone in recent years. I needed to see more! The church was brand-new at the time of my being there. Built in 1954, I remember it as being just about as sparse and spare and ultra-modern as 1950's extreme ultra-modern could get. Lots of blonde wood and right angles; cinderblock and linoleum; pale, blah non-colors; and NO ornamentation. NONE. On NOTHING. PERFECTION PLAIN.

Imagine how I felt the first time I entered what I snarkingly refer to as a REAL church ... which in my case, I believe was First English. Geez, even the old St. John's Catholic was more memorable.

I don't have any photos of the church as it used to be (for reasons that need no explanation, my brother was unwilling to offer any of his wedding photos; and I have no clue where my confirmation photos are, which I probably wouldn't post anyway for the same reasons!). If I manage to find any, I'll post them and try not to be too snarky about it!

While I had only my old camera with me at that vigil service and the flash was messing up, I got out there at a later date to photograph the church in better lighting. By then, my sense of surprise had been replaced by utter astonishment, and my sense of delight was off the graph!

The first thing I saw ... OMG, they put a REAL roof on the place! (Just picture it without the roof -- that's how it used to look. The flat roof had become a major maintenance problem, with water pooling up and leaking through. Best way to fix it was to get rid of it!)

What, that can't be ... stained glass windows???!?!!!

And now this bell tower WORKS! Made me nearly bump my head on the roof of the car when I was parked alongside of it and the carillon cut loose!

And to see the sanctuary now, with the old memories spinning around in my head, was just about as delicious as it gets!

All that bland 50's blonde woodwork had been stained a darker color -- the pews, the doors, the cove rail under the ceiling, the cross hanging over the altar, hymn boards, even the organ ... all original woodwork had been given some wake-up color. And they put drywall up over that awful cinderblock and got rid of that ugly carpet!

And let's talk about that chancel! That rear section, where the choir chairs and organ now are, used to be a plain (I can't say "plain" often enough!) step-up platform with an altar that pretty much looked like a schoolroom bookcase. Now ... completely redone and wonderfully inspiring; the floor is polished hardwood, and that lovely round altar and rail were handmade by a member of the congregation. Amazing work!!

Note the two backlit stained glass panel cases on the back wall: The one on the left is new; the one on the right was the window over the altar of the legendary Little White Church. Yes ... after 40 years, all the stained glass from the Little White Church had been found in storage somewhere around there -- and was put to great use all through the renovation. You'll see more as we go along ...

The pulpit and lectern, now side by side, were also handmade. Probably the same for the font, although I didn't ask about it. The left-hand transept used to contain a riser-pew choir loft next to the organ.

And the windows! ... the old windows were these narrow frosted-glass things, that had become loose and leaky with time. They were thankfully replaced with these big, beautiful clear glass windows with wide windowsills at the bottom. Now there's a place for Christmas decorations, Easter lilies, wedding flowers, whatever they want to have to make the place look more festive. And the three big stained glass windows in the transepts -- I never thought I'd see the day!

The original recessed lighting is now augmented with stylish hanging lamps.

The right-hand transept used to have a flat choir loft used by the children's choirs (I did plenty of time there). It now has chairs instead of a loft, and a bell choir table. Love that Holy Trinity icon! (The senior pastor who served up until the time I was in high school, whose name will not be mentioned, was so anti-Catholic that I imagine he did an enormous flip-flop in his grave the day that was hung on the wall!)

He probably did flip-flops over this too! This magnificent work of art graces a very noticeable spot at the rear of the church. It was a gift to the church at the time of their renovation. Risen-Lord crucifixes have become quite commonplace now, and I've seen some rather cheesy ones. This is NOT one of those!!

I thought at first that this was a new organ. No -- it's the same old one, as renovated as the rest of the place, with a new darker coat of stain and a state-of-the-art sound system plugged into it. The sound is wonderful!

Some closeups of the new windows. The south-facing ones have shades. Note the framed panels at the top. The only hint of sacred art in the original design was those frosted-glass chrismons you see at the top of the panels. Each one of the old windows had a chrismon at the top. The chrismons were saved and mounted into those frames along with new stained glass panels to harmonize with the windows in the transepts.

What a breath of fresh air -- and fresh light!!

Closeups of the three new transept windows...

The new panel behind the altar ...

And the fondly-remembered Gethsemane window from 1925, when Point Place was just an isolated lakeside hamlet.

Even this hallway door's window was replaced with a lovely stained glass panel. The only original frosted-glass window remaining in the sanctuary is in the sacristy door.

Stylish eternal flame oil lamp. I don't even think there was an eternal flame in the old church!

And what have we here? ... why, it's the original altar, now in a lounge/classroom area behind the sanctuary. I don't really remember that painting -- could it have been downstairs somewhere? When I first visited, they had a coffeepot sitting on top of this. How Lutheran...

Now here is what became of the rest of the stained glass from the Little White Church. This is the panel that was mounted over the front door of the little church. It is now mounted over the back door, in what used to be a plain (there's that word again) window. The Little White Church was demolished in the mid-60's to make more parking space, but I remember the pewless sanctuary being used as a Sunday School space.

The rest of the stained glass was cut to size, framed, and used to give some artistry to the abundance of plain windows over the various doorways. Finally, the Little White Church lives on...

A closeup of a chrismon in a square frame, hanging in a lounge area.

And the front walkway, stretching from the office entrance to the parking lot, is now a memorial walkway and bricks can be purchased. These bricks list many of the church's pastors over the years:

Still ultramodern ... but now, fresh and distinctive and inspiring. The memories will always be there ... but the changes are wonderful!

I knew this was going to happen ...

2010-04-06T11:03:00.003-04:00

Nearly 2 months ago, I finally found a job after being laid off since January of 2009. Far from being a downer, last year was just a big vacation and I did alot of things I hadn't had time for previously, this blog being one of them. But even though the new job is part-time, I'm finding that it's still taking a big chunk out of my computer time (and I'm still seeking another part-time job). I'm sure it's obvious that I just haven't had time to post the way I did before. Rather than these sweeping photo collections of each church I've visited, I will probably go to posting shorter reviews of each one, and several reviews of the same church if needed to get everything posted. If anyone would like to become a contributor and help out with this, please let me know, thanks!
- S.

A Happy and Blessed Easter to All!

2010-04-04T21:57:00.004-04:00

(the Resurrection window, St. John's Lutheran, Oak Harbor)

Christ is risen! Alleluia!

He is risen indeed! Alleluia, alleluia!!

Requiescat in Pace

2010-02-20T12:26:00.003-05:00

Pastor Larry Smith of Epiphany Lutheran, Toledo, who led the congregation for nearly 15 years. The last time I saw him was at the Toledo Symphony concert in December. He'll be sorely missed. Please remember Pastor Smith, his family, and Epiphany in your prayers.

Welcome Pastors Olson to St. Paul's!

2010-02-20T12:02:00.004-05:00

In the Toledo Blade, February 13, 2010:
Lars And Katherine Olson Become Co-pastors Of St. Paul's Sunday

May God bless and enrich the ministries of the Olsons, and of St. Paul's. Welcome!

St. Paul's Lutheran, Toledo

2010-01-21T22:58:00.008-05:00

The grand old church on the courthouse square; Toledo's second oldest Lutheran congregation!

From the history page on the church website:

St. Paul’s was organized on Sept. 1st, 1857, with Pastor Carl Markscheffel its first pastor. St. Paul’s is the second oldest Lutheran church in Toledo…

The founding members of St. Paul’s were originally members of Salem but broke away [because of dissatisfaction with certain church practices; and also because horse car service hadn't started in Toledo yet and it was an awful long walk from the South End-my words]...On March 1st, 1858, Lot No. 1411 was purchased by the members in the "Vistula Division" on Erie St. ...Construction of the new church began immediately on its present day site…On Good Friday April 16th, 1858 services were held in the newly built church…May 2nd, 1858 the church was dedicated by Pastor Markscheffel "who presented the building to the Lord under the name of the Evangelisch-Lutherisch St. Paulus Kirche". In 1866 a decision was made to construct a brick church…On August 15th, 1867, the cornerstone was laid and the new “brick church” was dedicated on the Sunday before Christmas of 1868. The church had no steeple or bells. The choir loft was small, the basement unfinished, no furnace, gas or electricity. The ceiling was flat, there was no altar niche, and the church had a single entrance. The members were proud of their accomplishments. The total cost was $18,353.00.

In 1876 preparations were made for building a steeple, and a bell weighing 4,000 pounds was ordered [from Germany]. By the end of 1877 the steeple was completed and the bell installed...shortly after the new altar was installed with the statues of Christ and the four Evangelists...In 1888 improvements in the church continued with the erection of a wall at the front of the property because Erie St. had been raised. The ceiling of the church was vaulted and two additional doors, on each side of the main entrance were added to the front. In 1896 electric lights were installed.

... and at that point, it pretty much looked like this:

On September 21st, 1924 the new parish house was dedicated. Space was now available for a church office, pastor’s study, a ladies parlor, living quarters for the custodian, an auditorium and class rooms for the Sunday school. A gymnasium with showers and lockers was also a part of the new five story building.

EXCEPTIONAL Gothic detailing, and tracery on these windows, especially the large one! What a work of art this parish house is!

(Exterior photos in this section by Jeffrey Smith.)Look at that gargoyle!

Major renovations to the church took place in 1953. An effort was made to have the renovated church blend in with the Gothic style of the parish house erected in 1924. Among the improvements were the facing of the church with stone, the building of a new base for the steeple, the complete remodeling of the front entrance, the formation of the narthex by construction of a glass walled partition at the rear of the church, the addition of a first aid room and cloakroom, new pews, and the complete redecoration of the chancel and nave. The old pews, pulpit and other woodwork that was stained dark were replaced with light oak wood construction material. This brightened the whole inside considerably. Air conditioning was installed and the nave windows were replaced with stained glass. Seating capacity would now be about 800.

At this point, it's arguable that the church interior NEEDED brightening, since by then the north side of the church was enclosed by the parish house, and the south side by that five-story office building that was erected around the turn of the century.Another historic shot from the same angle, for comparison. How things have changed!This stained glass window over the front doors, carries depictions of the church before and after the parish house was added.

Photo of new-church panel by Jeffrey Smith.

These windows were installed during the 1953 remodeling. Only one of them, at the right-hand front of the sanctuary, is open enough to the outside to catch the sun all the way across.
Each of these elaborate windows centers on a scene depicting an event in the life of Christ. Various other chrismons and symbolism appear elsewhere on the windows.
The butterfly, a symbol of the Resurrection that doesn't seem to be used very often in church art.The windows were difficult to focus on, not only because of the angle needed to focus on some of them (I should have brought a tripod), but because of the lack of light on the other side.
Instruments of the Passion -- a couple of them, anyway. This isn't often used in Lutheran church art, but is frequently seen in historic Catholic church art.Moses and St. Paul are in small rooms at the sides of the front door ... first-aid rooms, or utility rooms. I don't know if they're from 1953 or earlier. But I wonder why these striking windows were placed, or left, in such hidden locations...
Windows running up into the balcony -- much easier to focus on!
The hand of God and the Holy Spirit are high on the wall over the altar.
Now those ceiling beams are ASTOUNDING, as is that marvelous curved balcony!!
A closeup, taken in the balcony, of the detailing on the beams.This is the altar that was installed around 1878. While the rest of the chancel was outfitted with wood paneling and the pulpit and lectern replaced during the 1953 remodeling, this treasure was thankfully retained.

Sts. Matthew and Mark ...

... and Sts. Luke and John.

This font, like all the other chancel furnishings, is from the 1953 remodeling.One of the historic photos on the website, of the chancel before the remodeling. I'd love to know what became of not only that pulpit canopy, but of that original baptismal font, since that is where my mother was baptized on December 13, 1931 ...

The wonderful full-front view from the balcony.

Yes, it's LOUD!

I didn't get into the parish house any further than the front door, but I couldn't miss this gorgeous ribbed ceiling!There are portrait collages in the basement fellowship hall, of all of St. Paul's pastors.This is hidden by the surrounding buildings, but ... if you walk down the alleyway from the parking lot, you can see the back of the church as it was long ago ...

In Jan. 1978 St. Paul’s was asked to consider moving its location by the Toledo Development Committee because of plans to locate a City-County-State office building on the church site. This would later be known as the Government Center Building. The proposal was made to St. Paul’s for construction of a new church and parish house complex on Erie St. one block north of the current church site. The original cost for building the new complex was estimated at 3.2 million dollars and later change to 2.9 million and would be paid through the sale of St. Paul’s present site to the State.

The first proposal in Jan. of 1978 for the sale of the church site was voted down by a more than 2 to 1 decision of the congregation. In mid April of 1978 the Board of Trustees mailed to the Congregation details of the new complex including a color rendering of the new church and parish house. The Trustees requested a “vote of confidence” to proceed with negotiations to obtain the new building site. The church steeple in the rendering was close to the present one and other than that, the new church would look completely different from the current one.

The Trustees called the project “an opportunity of a life-time” and said it would give new life to a congregation that had declining membership and was looking at major expenses in the short term to renovate the present church.

On Sunday April 30th, 1978, the congregation voted in a special meeting against pursuing the proposal of a new site and church construction. It was apparent by the show of hands that the members had not changed their opinion expressed in the ballot vote taken in January. The issue of re-locating the church was dropped.

YEAH! YEAH!! Kudos to the congregation of 1978, for NOT selling out their heritage for 40 pieces of silver! I can't believe the city just wanted to TRASH this shining part of Toledo's history! Government Center worked out just fine being across the street. And the Church with a Heart in the Heart of Toledo still proudly stands as one of downtown Toledo's inspiring historic showpieces, and continues its mission to all that it serves.

Epiphany

2010-01-06T11:11:00.007-05:00

... and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road. Matthew 2: 9-12

Arcade window, St. Mark's Lutheran, Toledo

Aisle window, Grace Lutheran, Fremont

A Peaceful and Blessed Christmas To All

2009-12-25T11:45:00.006-05:00

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2: 4-7

Arcade window, St. Mark's Lutheran, Toledo.

Aisle window, Grace Lutheran, Fremont

And there were shepherds ...

2009-12-25T11:44:00.001-05:00

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." Luke 2: 8-14

Gallery window, Bethlehem Lutheran, Pemberville

Merry Christmas (From Russ)

2009-12-24T10:17:00.002-05:00

Merry Christmas to All from Russ (AKA) Steeple Chaser. Picture taken at St. John's Lutheran Church in Sidney, Ohio.

Chapel, Lutheran Village at Wolf Creek, Holland

2009-12-19T01:47:00.001-05:00

I was actually out by there to take a few pictures of First Baptist across the street, but then I noticed the chapel, and thought ... what the heck, check it out ...

Cuts a rather dramatic profile ...

Now, of course one does not have to be Lutheran to live at Wolf Creek, or to receive their services, which are offered without regard to religious faith. Nonetheless, I was just a bit surprised (and pleased) to enter the chapel and see ...
Of course, the chapel is used for Mass for Catholic residents, as well as for Lutheran worship services and probably other Protestant services as well.

The chapel also functions as an all-purpose room, with the chancel area behind those folding panels when services are not being conducted. I asked one of the staffers if there was any way I could see the altar. She said the panels were tricky to get open, but one panel at the side was part-way open so I was able to go back.Simple and nice, pleasant and calming ... assuming those banners are changed with the liturgical seasons ...

Now I really like this ...

I don't know whether or not they put her to the side during Lutheran services, but it's my hope that they leave her right where she is. Martin Luther would have.
That's what I need for at home ... an electric one. Much safer when you have a dozen cats jumping around!

Wolf Creek had some lovely Christmas decorations ...

Big beautiful tree ...

Wishing a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all! Enjoy your holidays!

St. John's Lutheran, Fremont

2009-12-09T22:16:00.004-05:00

Downtown Fremont, Ohio is a historic church wonderland! Among the many treasures is St. John's, actually only a block away from the bigger congregation of Grace Lutheran. Very surprising to see that this arrangement works out, since both congregations are holding their own pretty nicely. Wish that sort of thing could work out in Toledo ...
Even from the outside, these windows are tantalizingly beautiful. Love the tracery ...

Monolithic tower ...The apse, facing an alleyway so it's not easy to see ...

This mighty fortress was built in 1917, although this cornerstone speaks of a much older time and place ...

We visited on two occasions. The first time was late in the afternoon on an increasingly blustery summer day, and the church was locked. I shot this teaser of a photo through the front doors ... then I went home and called the church office to set up a time to get in there!

And when you DO get in there ... this is what you see from the balcony. Marvelous!!Bride-and-groom's-eye view from in front of the altar ...

These pipes are wonderful!

Lovely baptistry and marble font ...

It appears that the church's website is being re-constructed, so I can't access any historic info. However, at the time of my visit, I was given some info regarding the windows ...
An article from the Fremont News-Messenger in 1986 read in part: "The windows in St. John's Lutheran Church in Fremont and St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Clyde look more like oil paintings than glass with their deep red, purple and green tones. (note: I have photos of Clyde St. Paul's also, which I will get to as quickly as possible.) St. John's windows were installed in 1917 when the church was first built. They were designed by the Von Gerichten Art Glass Company in Columbus, which just happened to have some of the Bavarian glass on hand from their German studios."
"The windows, like most others, are in the Gothic style, with five panels or lancets creating a single scene. The church's south window depicts Jesus in Gethsemane with his disciples sleeping in the background as he speaks with an angel. The north window depicts the resurrection with Jesus coming out from the cave, rising from the dead."

Look at the detailing in the robes, both the angel's and Christ's...

Mary Magdalene's wavy hair ... and the greens and blues of the trees and fields and mountains in the background ...The geometric patterns in these windows, that resemble spires and pinnacles, are spellbinding!

More of that detailing in the angel's robe ...

... and the sleeping disciples, bathed in more shades of blue.

Now ... take a good, close look at that altar. It's not immediately easy to see because of the light-on-light tones of the altar against the wall, but ... that reredos is literally over the top ... of the center window! This is thoroughly unique.
High pinnacles at either side ... the golds and greens in the side windows picking up the gold color in the gilt-edged tracery.

Wow.

Yes ... it lights.Beautiful, lacy old crucifix.

... and tall, ornate candlesticks.

Fascinating Last Supper inlaid sculpture ...

Framed by this most unusual altar, is this lovely scene of a tranquil Christ in the lilies, with His arms outstretched.
The balcony window is just this giant geometric color wheel ... I LOVE the burning-candle imagery, and the patterns in that quatrefoil!

Now this is just THE BEST - THE BEST pulpit I've seen anywhere!!

WROUGHT IRON, for cryin' out loud!!!

Another striking eagle lectern. I've seen several of these beautiful pieces now. Some are wooden; some, like this one, appear to be brass or another metal. (There is an Episcopal church in Buffalo that has a magnificent, museum-caliber brass eagle lectern on an ornate brass and marble base. It's just over the top!).

Two lovely tapestries on the walls by the back entrance.

And standing watch, in a sitting room inside the parish house ...

A big word of thanks to the staff of St. John's for being so very accommodating!

Requiescat in Pace

2009-11-20T10:04:00.002-05:00

Pastor Les Slagle You'll be missed.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him.

former St. John's Lutheran, Rocky Ridge

2009-11-01T20:01:00.020-05:00

As one enters the tiny hamlet of Rocky Ridge, this stately old steeple towers over the town. I had to go see what it was!
But as you round the corner toward the church, it becomes immediately obvious that something is NOT. RIGHT.

Now this is about sad.

What a MESS! Obviously abandoned for many years. I thought this only happened in the big city. Deteriorating, falling apart, forgotten. Rotting. What WAS this tattered place that was obviously beautiful at some distant time past??!?

Oh, for cryin' out loud.

Oh, this is just a crime.

The St. John's congregation still exists, in their newer and larger church at the edge of town that they built in 1967 (taking the old bell with them). At the time, they properly sold the building. It's out of their hands (but I'm guessing it's not out of their hearts).
While I was taking these pictures, I was joined by a lady by the name of LaVerne who lives right across the street. She has co-written a book called "Reflections of Rocky Ridge", that can be had at the Port Clinton or Oak Harbor library (and I intend to get the book when I can; it's not carried at the Toledo library). She told me that she had grown up in this church, was baptized and confirmed here. She talked about the little evangelical congregation that used the church for some years after St. John's sold it; that on warm summer Sunday evenings, they'd prop the front doors open during their services, and she'd listen to and enjoy their music.
But eventually that congregation disappeared. The church was shuttered and abandoned; but that it was purchased at some point by a SLUM LORD (my words) in a nearby town who just hasn't done anything with it but let it sit and rot. He owns other properties in the town, a former grocery store next to the church, now boarded up and suffering the same fate. Shameful. (In other words, it really IS a crime.)
The overgrowth of flowers and vines gives this buttress a strangely tranquil appearance, even though it's on the verge of collapsing.
What IS this, anyway?? Some sort of septic tank sitting in the yard?!
I was told that flocks of pigeons have been known to use the building as a roosting place (thus adding, no doubt, to the highly unpleasant circumstances on the other side of that barricaded door). This makes it easy for them. Let's not even talk about bats.
Hey, Rocky Ridge SLUM LORD. CLEAN IT UP!! The people of this little village don't want to have to keep looking at this. Either fix it up and get tenants in it -- these things are in demand as private homes these days, there's a beautiful little one in Scotch Ridge -- or tear it down. It hurts me to suggest that, but this is an eyesore in an otherwise bucolic little town that doesn't want this sort of big-city blight in their midst. Quit using it as a tax writeoff excuse. CLEAN IT UP!!!

St. Luke's Lutheran, Lima

2009-10-31T20:50:00.001-04:00

I was not able to get any history information on this church. If anyone has anything they can offer regarding church history, please post!

At a busy intersection in downtown Lima, stands this masterpiece:
Wonderful tower that stands at the point that was the back of the original, square-shaped church. It appears that I may have missed the cornerstone, in the wall at the bottom of the tower.

The sanctuary extension was built on in ... ... just seamlessly ... and the parish house went up in ...

Upon entering the sanctuary (the doors are at the sides, where the original doors were), this is the delightful sight you're greeted by ...The view from in front of the altar looking back ...Beautiful stained glass in every one of those clerestory windows. Assuming they were made to match the older windows at the time the addition was put on. The addition gave the church a cruciform shape.Beautiful ...

High groin-vaulted ceiling provides a lovely framework for the two large windows at either end of the transepts.

Look at those pipes!

The large window at the back, circa 1958, serves as a tribute to the life and ministry of St. Luke.This Resurrection window over the altar is stunning -- not merely the figure of Christ, but the colors and tracery!
The right-transept window backs up to the parish house, so the lighting behind it is ceiling lighting -- but hey, they could have ripped it out and put in a hallway or something!

St. Peter ...

... and St. Paul.

The left-transept window is strikingly visible from the street.Moses ...

... and Aaron, someone rarely seen in window architecture.

Raised cut glass at the center of his robe ...Closeups of the magnificent tracery and cut-glass ornamentation.I've never seen anything quite like this window over the center of the crossing ...

Hoping for more information about this marvelous church!

Reformation Sunday 2009

2009-10-25T19:56:00.010-04:00

Wishing all a happy, peaceful, and blessed Reformation Sunday. Go read those 95 Theses. I'll make it easy:
Luther's 95 Theses

(thank you, LCMS)

(Window inside the front door vestibule at Martin Luther Lutheran, East Toledo.)

St. John's, Oak Harbor - the Windows

2009-09-29T15:00:00.003-04:00

I was given a booklet written by Al Timler, the artist who designed these spectacular windows, describing them and giving an overview of the project to replace the original windows in the 1960's and 1970's. After the first of the windows were installed in 1967, the window project was put on hold while the focus was put on paying for a new organ. But once that was done, the windows again went front and center; and the final ones were installed in 1976, manufactured by City Glass Co. of Ft. Wayne. These include some scenes not often seen in church windows.

As you enter through the front door, you see these smaller windows, signifying the means of grace:

The ten clerestory windows (some not easy to draw a bead on, even from the front row of the balcony) depict various events in the life of Christ:

The Sermon on the Mount:

The wedding at Cana:

The baptism of Christ:

The child Jesus in the Temple:

The Crucifixion:

Christ before Pilate:

Gethsemane:

The Good Shepherd:

The Loaves and Fishes (detail closeups):

Christ healing the sick (detail closeups):

The four choir stall windows have a common theme of "Light", and pay tribute to Christian History, Education, Music, and Works of Mercy:

The Works of Mercy:

Education:

History (with a tribute to the Rev. George Cronenwett, a German Lutheran circuit pastor and leader who founded numerous churches in northwest Ohio):

Music:

Pentecost, west transept:

Ascension, west transept:

Christmas, east transept:

God's covenant to Abraham, east transept:The smaller aisle windows, that run along the arcades at the sides of the church, pay tribute to various Old and New Testament figures not often seen in church windows, as well as some early Reformation pioneers:

Okay, this next one was a bolt out of the blue -- the last thing I expected to see, at least outside of the Scandinavian strongholds of the upper Midwest. And I do understand that some Catholic historians may have a problem with this person being depicted in a church window. The historical facts here are that this Swedish king was a powerful defender of German Protestant forces under attack at the time, and also sent his country on the path to being the world power that it is today. It is also a sad, regrettable fact that the history of Christianity is bloody from those who attempted to force their definitions of the faith on others by means of the sword - and those who were instrumental in the defense against such attacks, even though they often became aggressors at the same time. I think we need to quit fighting the 500-year war, live in the here and now, and emphasize our common bond as followers of Christ, regardless of what definition of faith we use to do so.
The chancel windows, in the rounded apse above the altar (also not easy to focus on), depict the Holy Trinity:
The huge, ornate balcony window just has SO much going on! The central theme is the Resurrection:

Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome at the tomb:

The angel who rolled away the stone:

Jonah, of all people:

... and Adam with that fateful apple:

Stairwell windows:
In the sacristy:

Luther's seal ...

This wonderful window honoring the Eucharist:

These angels are in various places in the doorways, each with a different Biblical quote:

... and the side doors all show the Jerusalem cross.

My thanks again to St. John's in Oak Harbor, for being so hospitable and furnishing me with all the historical information that was so helpful in these features about their magnificent church!

St. John's Lutheran, Oak Harbor

2009-09-08T23:20:00.011-04:00

This is one where I'm not sure where to begin. I spent well over an hour in the sanctuary alone - it is pure splendor! Another small-town treasure!

This photo is from an old postcard, taken at a time when those two huge pines by the front door were little things ...

Here's how it looks now ...

St. John's Lutheran in Oak Harbor was founded in 1869, a progression of First Lutheran Church which was started in 1867. This magnificent building was erected in 1926-1927, and dedicated on November 6, 1927.

The left transept and tower.

I love this lacy detailing ... it carries all the way through the church, on the windows and the woodwork.

The apse ...An unusual cornerstone ...

Stone angel near the front door ...

As you enter the church through this screen at the back of the nave--

This is what you see!

Amazing pointed barrel vaulting ...Stone arcades with Gothic arches give it a cloistered feel ...

These windows were installed during the 1970's and are such a story in and of themselves that I'll give them their own post!

A view back from the steps of the chancel. The church seats around 1000.Some breathtaking views from the balcony - and a closer look at those ceiling beams!

The church underwent a remodeling in the late 1940's. I don't know for sure, but I'm speculating that maybe this altar and wall paneling were installed at that time. This altar is so characteristic of late 40's-early 50's neo-Gothic. It's gorgeous and carries the theme of that lacy detailing perfectly.
There's just something spellbinding about this ...

Note the rollaway Communion table. These are seeing increasing use. They're less expensive and more flexible than installing a free-standing altar ... and HIGHLY preferable to (warning: I'm about to repeat myself) ripping out beautiful old altars and coming in with a plain, sterile slab of something that flies in the face of the church's historic character - especially a church like THIS!!

This dome over the altar is wonderful ...

Interesting narrow base supporting this pulpit.This font is a show-stopper!! Perhaps it was the inspiration for that pulpit ...

Fantastic!

Woodwork detailing on the lectern ...

... and lacy carved vines on the communion rail.

Lovely Christmas angel tucked away in a storage area for now ...
Someone did a nice needlework rendering of Christ Pantocrator, complete with pearl accents (!), as a Bible cover ...
These painted details seen on the edges of the vault ribs, carry up and over on all the ceiling vaults, and give them a textured appearance ...
Very unique processional cross with Martin Luther's seal!
The church secretary was exceptionally accommodating and very helpful. She gave me some historical material to work with, including a booklet written by the designer of the stained glass windows, describing each window. That's next ...

Moulton Days (Trinity Lutheran Church)

2009-09-07T22:14:00.013-04:00

Trinity Lutheran Church, Moulton, OH is a friendly place to worship.

This year, rather than the traditional bible school, it was decided to have a two-day experience of worship, learning, fun and food.

There was something for everyone, from the very oldest to the youngest member. A good time was had by all, as was attested to by a little fellow that, whenever he saw me with my camera, he posed. The last time I saw him, he didn’t, and I asked him why not. “Because I am tired out”, was the answer.

The inflatable obstruction course, which was a hit for all, had gotten the best of him. I think we all came away with a greater sense of community and am looking forward to next year.

The pictures and narrative for this post were given to me by Lee Miller. Thanks Lee nice job on covering this event.

A nod to my favorite church ...

2009-08-27T00:34:00.002-04:00

Sorry I haven't done much here lately, I was working a temp job and I just plain haven't had time ... but I wanted to give a big HOO - RAH!!! to the ELCA's Churchwide Assembly in Minneapolis during the course of last week ... and post a quick few outside shots of my favorite and best-overall church in NW Ohio: Grace, Fremont.

former Grace-Ascension Lutheran, Toledo

2009-08-21T23:38:00.011-04:00

Sometimes the storied face of historic churches turns tragic.

This was the first location of Grace Lutheran Church. The congregation, established in 1900, built this cute little church at Forest and Pinewood in 1902, to serve its German neighborhood of that time. This is where my mother was confirmed, and my parents were married. Grace left this building in the early 50's, selling it to a new, predominantly African-American congregation called Ascension Lutheran. Ascension used the building until moving into their current location at Dorr and Collingwood, 30 years ago. I don't know who has owned the building since then ... but they *HAVE NOT* been good stewards of it.
This once-charming church is now a sorry, abandoned wreck and a blight on a neighborhood that already has too many blights.

These crosses, now rusted, still strike an unsettling profile against the sky.

Many of the windows still have partial panes that are original, but nearly all are broken and/or boarded. The original large trefoil window under this Gothic arch must have been beautiful.
There is one - count it, one - original window that is still intact. This is up over a doorway porch roof, less susceptible to being broken out. Lovely little windows these were.

This is what most of the windows look like - partially intact, but broken and boarded.

Cracked, stained cedar shingle ...

One old window (that looks ready to cave in) and one newer window in this gable.

The old postcard photo shows a nave much shorter than this. Everything going all the way back looks original, but I still have to assume that the back of the building was extended at some point after it was built ... quite skillfully.

Glass block in the basement windows?? ... The downspouts appeared fairly recent also. I am guessing that this church may have housed an active congregation perhaps as recently as 5 to 10 years ago, but things can go downhill awfully fast with an old building when no one cares for it any longer.

The sign out front - sad.

Old doors, but they're not original.

Sad ... that door hasn't been used in a LONG time ... is there any hope for this building?

The silver lining on this dark cloud is that Ascension took the beautiful, ornate Gothic chancel furnishings - altar, pulpit, carved wooden eagle lectern, font, lovely old silver Communion set, hymn board, and a couple of old pews! - with them to their current place. That's next.

Ascension Lutheran, Toledo

2009-08-21T23:35:00.000-04:00

This inner-city congregation was started in the early 1950's, and took over the building at Forest and Pinewood that had been home to Grace Lutheran. They stayed there until this facility at Dorr and Collingwood was built, 30 years ago. Now, several social service agencies operate out of the church as well. These photos are from two separate visits, the first one last March for a rummage sale, and the second one on Ascension Day.
When you enter the narthex area, you'll see pictures of their former pastors. Now, Pastor John Berger oversees the congregation.
As you first enter the sanctuary - actually, they call it the chapel, and it's a simple all-purpose room with a sloping ceiling - this is what you see, and I became very excited the first time I saw that, thinking that there was only one place this could have come from. But it wasn't until talking to Pastor Berger, at the Ascension Day service, that I was indeed able to confirm that.
When they left the old church, they took all these glorious furnishings with them, rather than leave them to the dubious future that the old church now has.

My mother was confirmed and my parents were married before this altar!

In order to turn the table into a freestanding altar, it was cut away from the reredos (possibly also something that had to be done in the process of getting the altar out of the old church). I've also seen this done in a couple of historic churches now, done nicely; and it's certainly more acceptable an option than just ripping the whole thing out and coming in with a plain, sterile slab of something that flies in the face of the church's historic character.

Lovely lace piano cover.

I'll have to take a closer look at the dedication plaques on the font and pulpit the next time I'm in there.

Fantastic carved wood eagle lectern!

Lovely silver pitcher in the Communion set.

There are two pews that came from the old church. Both are different. This appears to be the older of the two. It's in a corner of the chapel.

And this old pew is in the narthex.

A few photos from the Ascension Day service ...

I didn't make note of this vicar's name, my bad. He is from Detroit and was soon to be ordained. From listening to him preach about his experiences in the church and in the process of becoming a pastor, my feeling is that he'll be an inspired leader.
The multifaith choir draws from both Ascension and All Saints Episcopal on Pinewood.
The two directors were presented with certificates of appreciation.
This was a wonderful service. Pastor Berger sat this one out, and handed the baton off to pastors from St. Paul's, Salem, Glenwood, and All Saints. It was a beautiful liturgy and very enjoyable to hear a sermon from the pastor from Detroit. Ascension is a very small congregation now, but they partner with All Saints and the social agencies that work out of their location, and still do some very needed and blessed work in their central-city neighborhood.

The statues of Bethlehem Lutheran, Pemberville

2009-08-10T14:51:00.009-04:00

Under an arch at the right-hand front of the sanctuary, are displayed these antique statues: St. Peter, St. Paul, St. John the Baptist, two angels, and a dove that was atop an old baptismal font. They are beautifully preserved now, thanks to the efforts of church historian Dale Bruning and restorative artist Valerie French.
The statues are around 145 years old. They were originally displayed on the altar in Bethlehem's old church, built in 1862. This scan, from Bethlehem's 125th anniversary booklet in 1986, shows the interior of the old church, with the statues visible on the altar.
A closeup, showing Pastor Winterhoff. This photo would have been taken somewhere between 1899 and 1908.
The current church as it would have appeared when it was new in 1908, with the old altar still in place and the dove on top of the font clearly visible.
According to Dale Bruning: "The statues were in the original church and when the present church was completed and dedicated in May 1909 the altar furnishings (the statues and angels, baptismal font with the dove and pulpit) were all moved into the new church. In 1944 the church was redecorated. The altar, which was painted white, was stripped and stained an oak color as was the pulpit. The statues, which were in a bad condition, were stored in the attic, and the dove placed in a box. Here they remained until 2004, a period of sixty years. I was alerted and shown their location in the attic. I spoke with my brother, Bob and his wife, Joanne, and showed them the statues. Joanne said that she knew of a place in Bowling Green that might do restoration work. I went to Bowling Green and came in contact with Valerie French. I had taken one of the statues along. She looked at it and said that she would like to have this type of reconstruction project, but that she would do it at home in her studio."
"With someone to do the restoring Bob and I went to the Church Council and asked for permission to have the statues and angels restored at no cost to the church. Council unanimously agreed and the project went forward."
"This turned out to be a much more difficult project than anticipated. Hands etc. were missing; cracks etc. But Valerie did a tremendous job of restoration even to matching the original paint. I would venture to say that the 5 pieces look better now than when they were new. Valerie also had the niches constructed. Volunteers did the necessary cutting into the arch to place the niches. There was opposition to placing them back on the altar, so we had to find a new home. Everyone now says it looks as though the statues have always been in the arch."
"I was shown the dove at a later point in time and when Valerie delivered the statues in January 2007 I asked if she would consider restoring the dove, to which she consented. The dove is hand carved and very beautiful."

St. Peter with the keys to the Kingdom ...

... and St. Paul with his sword.

St. John the Baptist ... how unusual! ... is the largest of the statues.

From Dale Bruning: "Valerie French lives on McCutcheonville Road, Perrysburg, Ohio. She did the scenic set pieces for the Toledo Opera's production of "Salome" at the Valentine Theater last March. She is a very talented lady; we were fortunate to have had her expert services." This is most certainly true! The beauty and artistry of these statues speaks for itself. Bethlehem is fortunate to be able to display these statues again, beautifully restored; and fortunate also for people like Dale Bruning who care about the church's heritage. Thanks for all your help, Dale!

Zion Lutheran, Lima

2009-08-10T00:39:00.001-04:00

Established in 1855, this is the fourth church home for this congregation. This church was built in 1976, after the congregation agreed to sell their historic downtown church to make way for urban development.

That's an interesting bell tower ...

... with their old bell.

The old cornerstone is right by the front doors.

Intended to be a quick outside-photo stop during another heavily-scheduled weekday, when I saw that the church was open for VBS, I went into the office and asked if I could do some pictures of the sanctuary. They graciously obliged ...
The two vertical chancel windows cast an eerie purplish glow over the sanctuary, made all that much more surrealistic by the VBS decorations (Crocodile Dock).
I went up to the altar area, behind the decorations, for a look-see. According to church historian Beth Milks, this altar and reredos were in use at their previous church, built in downtown Lima in 1913; but installed during a 1964 renovation. It was one of quite a few items that the congregation brought along to this building, in memory of their previous church (now demolished). This altar appears much older than mid-60's.

This arrangement of offering plates is to the left of the altar.

A view back from the chancel.

They also brought along stained glass windows from the old church. It was explained to me as I was taking these photos, that the edges of the roof were built too low for sunlight to reach the tops of the windows ... a bit of an ohno-moment!
This wonderful Martin Luther window, though, is in the chapel next to the sanctuary, and catches the light perfectly. This used to be mounted in the choir loft at the old church.
This altar, lectern, and font were in use at the old church before the altar in the sanctuary. There used to be a reredos, but it sadly disappeared somewhere along the line. These pieces were painted this antique white by a member of the congregation, at the time the new church was built; and are now used in the chapel. The cross and candlesticks appeared quite old.
I didn't find out about this piece, in the long hallway just outside of the sanctuary. It very much appears to be another altar, and if I find out any more about it, I'll update.
A photo of the old church on the wall close to the altar-table, with the chancel windows glowing on it in a poignant way ...
In a lounge/meeting room can be found this board with pictures of all the former pastors ...

Thanks so much to Beth Milks for the historical info!

Bethlehem Lutheran, rural Defiance

2009-08-08T17:12:00.003-04:00

A whirlwind church tour through Defiance County last Tuesday 8/4, found this one on a list of 10 churches to visit. The plan was to just stop by, take a few photos of the outside, and be on our way; as is the usual game plan for churches that I haven't contacted in advance.

We pulled into the parking lot and I was immediately charmed by this utterly CUTE little old country church!
It appeared to be lovingly cared-for. The windows were intriguing. I noticed a newer educational wing built onto the other side of the building (and also a cemetery, but I didn't start on that because I would have been yet another hour in there!)
Not an original cornerstone, but a sign of pride that a newer one with the original date was installed at some point.
The original wooden doors have been replaced with glass doors, making it easy for me to take a few shots through the doors. Now this was at 5 pm on a Tuesday afternoon, and I hardly expected the church to be unlocked at that time, with no sign of anyone around. But as is my habit, I tried the door anyway ...
... and it opened right up ... !!? I ventured inside, called "Hello" several times, no reply ... sooo, I just went to work!
What a darling little place! Beautiful windows, pews that appeared original. The chancel had obviously been updated. The altar, lectern, and pulpit appeared to be, oh, 1960's, give or take a decade. But it still fits in well and isn't at all out of place, even though I couldn't help but wonder why the original furnishings were replaced at that time ...

I love this organ case ...

This is different ...The Gethsemane window over the altar ...

Lovely cheerful little old geometric windows, each with a different Bible scene featured. Identical designs, but just enough variance in the different pieces of glass to make each one unique ...

I've never seen a Resurrection scene like this one before ...

Grisaille trim in the bottom panels of the windows ...

A view from the balcony ...

Gorgeous old wood-plank pews!

Someone did a lighted miniature of the church that sits on top of the organ console ...

This old chair that must've been in the chancel at one time, now sits in the hallway leading to the educational wing, just off the narthex.

Interesting tapestry adorning the left-hand wall ...

There is a charming and inviting patio area at the back of the church, in the space between the educational wing and the church. Wonderful use of this space!
This old door opened into the sacristy at one time. There is now a newer, more secure door in that spot at the back of the church, but rather than throw the old door away, this is what they did with it -- what a great idea!

... and even with all the old skeleton keys!

Notice that weathervane atop the steeple?

So much of the charm and nostalgia of an era gone by ...

As it turned out, via a note left on the (locked) door at sister congregation St. Mark's, VBS was scheduled for that evening. It's assumable that someone was in here getting ready for the evening's program and perhaps went home for dinner, thinking that there was no need to lock the door for that short time (remember where they're at!). My thanks to whoever made it possible for me to get these lovely pictures, which will of course be emailed to the church!

St. Mark's Lutheran, rural Defiance

2009-08-08T16:00:00.003-04:00

A couple miles down the road from Bethlehem, bordered on all sides by cornfields and soybean fields, you come to an intersection and this jumps out at you from behind the corn ...

St. Mark's is Bethlehem's sister congregation, both served by Pastor Tom Frey.

It was apparently expeditious to use the same blueprint for both of these little churches at the time they were built. At some time, however, a basement was dug underneath this one - and an educational wing added here too, not that long ago as a matter of fact.

Look at the fish-scale shingles on that steeple!

Cornerstone not in the corner, but high up above the front door, in German.

Same again over the front door. I'm speculating that perhaps this church was established as a firmly German church, and the other one more of an English-speaking church; although during the 19th century when these congregations were being established, German was still pretty much universal; in particular for the German farmers who founded churches such as these.
This church wasn't standing open! I wish I could have gotten an inside look at these windows. I tweaked these photos to bring up the window detail as much as I could, since these were west-facing with alot of sun glare. It appears that perhaps they're more elaborate than the ones at Bethlehem; more intricacy to the geometric designs. Look close to see the small circular chrismons in the center of each.
Good back view of the church from their cemetery (I need to get back out there and get pictures in both of those cemeteries!)

... and yes, that's another Gethsemane window over the altar!Picturesque view from behind the pines ...

... and the sign that says it all!

former St. Luke's Lutheran, Toledo - Northgate Community Church

2009-08-03T18:03:00.004-04:00

I wonder how long it's been since a Lutheran has entered this church.
I have almost no historical information to go on here; only an old newspaper clipping at the downtown library reporting the dedication of the Sunday school wing in 1959. It appears that the St. Luke's congregation disbanded about 1980. The county real estate transfer card says that the building passed into the hands of the synod at the time, and from there was sold to the regional district of the Nazarene church. Over the next 20 years or so, I'm told the building fell into a state of disrepair. I don't know the time periods during which it actually housed an active congregation, but when Northgate Community Church finally bought the building about 6 years ago, I'm told it was a wreck. It was being used for drugs, prostitution, possibly dogfighting, and who knows what else. The Northgate congregation thankfully cleaned it up and made it into a home again.
As you enter the narthex, these two glowing windows greet you:
And as you enter the sanctuary, the first thing your eyes fall onto is this breathtaking sight ...

And at the other end of the sanctuary ...

The church is actually quite small. It is rectangular, but the chancel runs along the side of the rectangle, while these gorgeous windows cap the ends.
The altar area is very small, with a pulldown video screen that hymn lyrics are projected onto. This little altar stands underneath a larger hanging cross that, unfortunately, can't be seen because of the screen.
I stuck the camera behind the edge of the screen and fired the flash just to see what I'd get.
There are two hexagonal bays on the Bush St. end of the church. Aside from embellishing the most visible end of the building, I pondered what those were originally meant to enclose.
Here's how they look on the inside. Perhaps one of these bays may have been a baptistry and the other a sacristy. Now, the one at the rear contains the sound and light boards; and the one at the front houses a set of drums!

This window is over a side door next to the Gethsemane window.

There are only two of the original pews left, both in the Sunday school wing that is now used for a meeting room. This long pew is slightly curved; the pews were laid out in a semicircular arrangement facing the altar. The other pew is a short deacon's pew. The engraving on the pew ends is lovely. I'm told the pews were in too poor a condition to save, that people would sit on them and get dumped onto the floor. These two were the only ones kept.

These two niches once held stained glass windows like the ones in the narthex. They must have been broken out. The openings are boarded on the other side, in the wall of the outer staircase that was probably wide open for a long time. Now these niches hold Bibles and hymnals, and the staircase is behind glass doors.

It's always sad to hear about a congregation that had to disband, but this building lives on as a home for a small but warm and vibrant Christian Missionary Alliance congregation. If anyone knows anything whatsoever about the history of the former St. Luke's Lutheran congregation in Toledo, please let me know.

Grace Lutheran, Toledo

2009-07-24T16:06:00.021-04:00

This information comes from a copy of the history section of a church directory, that was graciously provided to me by Pastor Merlin Jacobs:

Grace was founded on September 7, 1900; in a meeting room over a storefront that was located at Dorr and Hoag at the time. By 1902, this once-charming little church at Forest and Pinewood had been dedicated.
My mother was confirmed in this little old church, and my parents were married there. The Grace congregation hasn't been here since 1952, when they relocated to their current location near Monroe and Secor - which at the time, was really out in the sticks!

However, the wonderful Gothic interior furnishings: altar, pulpit, lectern, font, even the hymn board, are happily still in use at Ascension Lutheran, which bought this old church after Grace moved, and took it all with them when they moved to their current church at Dorr and Collingwood, nearly 30 years ago. That will be another post.

The front of the church is a bit tricky to photograph because it faces north, and looking at it from the front, you don't always get a sense of how big it really is --

... until you look at it from the side ...

To the right can be seen the roof of the smaller church built in 1952. When this larger sanctuary was built in 1959, the older church was incorporated into the design and is now the chapel, where contemporary services are held on Wednesday evenings. I will highlight the chapel in a different post.This is the remarkable view as you come in the front door ...

... much of which is commanded by the soaring, shining wood-beam ceiling, with the buttresses creating a latticework pattern as it progresses forward.
The windows all display this multicolored rectangular pattern that creates something of an abstract appearance.

Lots of 1950's-style diagonal lines ...

This huge cross is the centerpiece of the chancel.

A view back from the chancel steps, with just the arcade backlights on.

The big, beautiful window over the door.Lectern and pulpit.

The eternal flame burns against this backdrop of organ pipes ... and that organ is a roaring steamroller that can make those padded pews shake underneath your butt, especially when Debbie rides it in her special way - aided by a state-of-the-art sound system that was just installed over the last couple of years.

The unusual font ...

One of the chrismons that adorn the communion rail.

Oh-so-50's chandeliers ... notice the crosses on the individual lights.

Brickwork crosses line up along this low wall behind the last row of pews.

Straight down that hall will take you to the chapel; to the right puts you on the long hallway toward Brenner Hall, named in honor of Pastor Karl Brenner, who served the church for 43 years.

They want to make sure you're properly equipped!