Saint John’s Church at Church Avenue and West 26th Street has historically been a gathering place for the community and a living exhibit of its values.

Many of the founders of Cleveland worshipped and led discussions in the church. When escaping slaves needed refuge from an oppressive system, so viscerally embodied in slave hunters, the tower at Saint John’s was the last leg for the journey on to Canada and then freedom. When the city was hit with economic depression after depression, Saint John’s helped to feed and clothe those in need, and also made sure that they were included as community members.

In the late 1960s, the vestry of Saint John’s sought funding for their outreach work, pleading that “no part of the city can be an island and no part of the church can be an island – we must bridge the gaps of residence, economics, class and race.” These lines still stand as a testament to the need for inclusion.

St. John’s Church closed in 2006 and remained empty. Yet the Episcopal Diocese of Northeast Ohio is committed to preserving this historic building.

The Diocese, with the help of local developer Rick Foran, has invested in the restoration of the exterior of St. John’s Church as well as the parish hall. The building’s interior still needs a lot of work before the space can be repurposed.

Now, the Ohio City community has the perfect opportunity to offer its input as to what new uses would best serve the community while preserving its history.

Many ideas have already been suggested, including a space for after school programs for youth and an arts center. The church’s history and its involvement in protest movements have caused others to suggest the idea of an interactive museum centered on community organizing for today’s political realities.

Although these are some of the ideas being put forward, they should not be seen as limitations. The Diocese would like to gather a wide array of community ideas.  

This church and the connected parish hall have for a long time stood as a symbol of community as well as the search for freedom over oppression. Many of the original founders and their families built Saint Johns believing in not only the neighborhood of their time but in what would come. As the community once again realizes the potential of new ideas for old spaces as well as the joys of living together, our hope within the Episcopal Church is to provide a space that will continue to serve as a community gathering space for all of Cleveland.