Church History





FIRST CHURCH, CONGREGATIONAL
UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST



Serving the Community for Over 200 Years



Founded June 17, 1810 by Rev. Nathan B Darrow





Thirteen people gathered in a small wood building which stood on the site of the present Lake County Courthouse. The church met in many places around the square.


In 1862, the cornerstone of the present church building at the corner of Mentor Avenue and Liberty Street was placed.



Working to bring God's justice and peace.





Our church also has a long history of standing for dignity of all people as children of God. Which, in many ways, began with the Underground Railroad and abolitionist movement. In 1835, Thomas Weld, a noted abolitionist, delivered a course of lectures from the First Church pulpit. One of his lectures was followed by retaliation from a pro-slavery element of the local population who vandalized the pulpit and church.



A building of historical significance





In 1862, the cornerstone of the new church at the corner of Mentor Avenue and Liberty Street was placed and from that time we have met continuously in this building. A Sunday school building and a Memorial Chapel were added in the 1950’s. In 2001 the foundation under the bell tower was repaired and the steeple was built, painted and shingled by volunteer parishioners. It was raised into position in 2002.


On the front of the Church is a plaque designating it as a member of the Mentor Avenue Historic District which was been entered in the U. S. Department of the Interior’s National Register of Historic Places.



First Church, Congregational
United Church of Christ



22 Liberty Street
Painesville, OH 44077
(440) 357-7518