With 52 churches,
2 new church developments, and 14,202 members, the Presbytery
of the Western Reserve celebrates the transformation of congregational
ministries and the ever-present challenge to adapt to “new
occasions and new duties.” In 2007, its first congregation
looked backward and forward on its 200th birthday.
“Glory be!” exclaimed the spirit of founder Sarah
McIlrath Shaw to the spirit of co-founder Squire Nathaniel Doane.
“It’s been two hundred years since our small group
founded First Presbyterian Church in East Cleveland, Ohio!”
“Aye!” nodded Doane. “That was in 1807 when
Cleveland was little more than wilderness. Eighteen of us met
with the Rev. William Wick from Pennsylvania and organized the
church. During the first three years, we met in the fields or
each other’s homes. Sister Shaw, these many years have
been paved with pitfalls. We’ve worked through a split
in the church over slavery and bitter rivalries over church
policy and money.”
“Squire, let’s count instead the blessings of our
history. You will remember that from that split came a new church,
albeit Congregational, in the next town. We also started two
new Presbyterian churches. When our existence was threatened,
people wrote letters and spoke in support of the vision that
First Church would indeed be fruitful. We have led thousands
to God!”
Today, though small in number once again, First Church continues
to listen for and heed God’s call. It is now a multicultural
congregation that reaches out to a challenged urban community.
The congregation serves hot meals, engages in community efforts
for youth, sponsors health ministries, and offers spiritual
support to children and families of the public school that shares
its building. It is blessed with an intern from Pittsburgh Theological
Seminary and grant support from the presbytery and synod. The
PC(USA) Multicultural Conference has taught church members how
to incorporate new worship and music. Even the anniversary celebration
emphasized commitment to God’s future with an ecumenical
youth songfest.
After two hundred years the church is still praising God.
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