Old Stone Church is a historic church in downtown Cleveland enriching the Public Square with its grandiose architecture. The church has ample space inside with the main worship space, event space, library, and gallery. The focal point of this church is a unique organ built by the Holtkamp Organ Company in 1977 that is played during service. Old Stone Church also hosts events for the community. Periodically you can visit a tour of the church that is mostly self-led. There are also culinary chef events that feature local chefs providing cooking demonstrations and lunches. All events can be easily found on the church's website, Eventbrite, and Facebook. I have visited this church on multiple occasions. Once for a tour and more recently for a food event. Everyone is absolutely welcoming and wonderful whether you are part of this church or a mere visitor. Parking at the church is a bit complex during your first time. Old Stone Church has Sunday service permit parking on the east and west sides of Ontario St (across from the entrance to our Parish House) and the south side of Rockwell Ave. A parking attendant (visible with a green vest) is always standing where the next car is to park. You can visit the church to obtain the parking permit and display it on your windshield if you're visiting for worship or events. If you're a visitor in Cleveland, I highly recommend adding Old Stone Church to your itinerary. However, prior to your visit, ensure that the church is open. They have limited hours of operations and usually don't have the church part open during events. read more

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The choir and organ are amazing. They left me fascinated as I listened. Since it was Christmas mass they even had violins. It was a candle light vigil that was very pleasant. The priest did a very nice mass and they even came down to shake everyone's hands during mass. Parking was amazing too. read more

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Beautiful architecture and noted as the oldest building on the square! Went during the day to go inside, posted open but no admittance at door (locked). No clear directions how to enter the building! Worth seeing read more

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200 year old Presbyterian Church from 1820. The Victorian Romanesque church seats 600 and has Tiffany Windows. The bell called mourners to church when President Lincoln's funeral drove through the Square. There is an art gallery inside and tours are provided. read more

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Almost 200 years in Cleveland as an Iconic and Historical place of Worship! I cannot describe how magnificent this stone structure and artistic glass of Tiffany and LaFarge grace this space. Who in Cleveland does not know this place...how many of you have entered it's walls of history that have survived multiple fires? Walking by yesterday, I was struck in my heart and drawn to the doors. I pulled it and it was locked, but quickly released and security invited my Mother and I inside. Ashley stopped what she was doing to deliver an impromptu history lesson from the Art Gallery at the entrance with selected pieces flown in from Venice to the humble entry which beckoned you to enter. The ornate baptismal space was the first our eyes gazed upon. Shadowed by a slim but beautifully and tastefully decorated Christmas Tree. The Lincoln pew (the 1st one) is the only original pew restored from 1820! Gracing the front of the church is the wood carved Altar with layers of detail and the rows of over 3,000 brass pipes which allow the Organ (the first in Cleveland) to radiate the gracious space and ring out Public Square with Angels voices. I will try to be brief, but I cannot stop until I share the stained glass windows which are illuminated with high tech LED lights. But don't let that fool you, Tiffany glass of tremendous detail graces several windows (circa 1885) and John LaFarge (circa 1885) who studied under Tiffany...competed for the most intricate displays. Vernon Stouffer (yes, Stouffer Foods) was a member and has a custom stained glass as well. The only one in existence that displays Cleveland Landmarks. He had ownership in a lot of space so why not have the Browns stadium and other downtown buildings etched into a landmark Church. Lastly, the ceiling mirrors that of the belly of a boat...why, because laborers who built ships were brought in to specifically tailor the height and shape in this manner. Okay, enough...make time to visit this church and honor it's regal nature and spirit! Will make plans to visit a service soon! read more

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The church received the body of Abraham Lincoln during his funeral train's trip back to Springfield, Illinois. It was a cold, rainy day in April when Clevelanders made their way past the casket of the slain president. Photographs of the throngs exist of that special day. read more

Active during the gilded age when the millionaires were making a presence on Euclid Avenue, the present church was dedicated in 1854 after two fires. There are several Tiffany windows. The organ was the first in the city. A service is performed every Sunday morning. Tours are often given, and it is the meeting place for the Civic Historical walking tour on Tuesdays at 6 p.m. read more

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I have had the privilege of interacting with Pastor Guliano and the entire staff at Old Stone Church for years. Their work in supporting Cleveland's homeless and their love of God and His Word is evident in all that they do. Whomever is posting negative comments about this spirit-filled church is ill informed. Old Stone's legacy is one of being an example of Christ's love. A beacon of hope in Cleveland and beyond. read more

The building is beautiful, but the leadership needs improvement. They do not follow the teachings of God.

This historic piece of Cleveland Public Square played their church bells on Christmas Eve to the joy of holiday visitors experiencing the Christmas lights downtown. As out of town visitors, we considered joining in on the Christmas Eve Mass but were dissuaded by the presence of security guards at the entrance and waiting until the next mass of multiple that evening to begin. I would love to get an inside look at this historic building. read more

Old Stone Church - Church in the background of Tom L. Johnson Monument. - Churches Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

If you get a tour from Carol at this wonderful historic site, consider yourself blessed! We walked in expecting just to see a beautiful old church and leave, but Carol invited us in and gave us a fantastic tour! So much history in Cleveland and she knows about all of it! Sit in Lincoln's pew, see the only stained glass window with a football stadium and hear wonderful stories about famous, elite American families from the area, such as the Rockefeller's. And she even told us about the Bud Light beer coolers in bars around the city that would give away free beer if the Browns won (And they did!) if I lived in Cleveland, I'd be attending this church! Thank you Carol for sharing such a special place with us! A definite unexpected highlight! read more

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He identifies himself as a gravedigger first. His name is Jim and he was the kind maintenance-man-turned-tour-guide who walked us through the Old Stone Church in downtown Cleveland on Monday. It's a Victorian Romanesque building by design that sits sandwiched between modern high rises. Established in the 1820s, it planted roots as a Presbyterian church, and housed the city's first pipe organ. After a colorful history of fires, restoration, building additions, identity changes and celebrity, the Old Stone Church remains the oldest building on Public Square, added to the National Registry of Historic Places in 1973. For us, it was a place of mystery. We've walked by this church many times and always wondered what it was like on the inside. Being that we were never there in time for a worship service or support group, we simply admired the exterior. On Monday, something wonderful happened. We had some time to burn before the film festival, so we walked over to the side door of the building and tried to enter. The door was locked. We started to walk away when Jim opened the door and asked if we needed help. When we requested a tour, he gladly obliged. I was surprised by the building addition attached to the original structure - so modern compared to what we saw from the street. It instantly reminded me of our day in Rome (almost a decade ago), and how I marveled then at the marriage of contemporary and ancient architecture. The original church is beautiful. For all of the dark wood that shrouded the light in the room, there was also floor-to-ceiling Tiffany windows and color that made itself known. A main floor lined with old numbered pews and an equally as old (creeeaky!) balcony made up most of the interior, with a staging area and gorgeous pipe organ in the front. When I sat on one of the red cushioned seats, my first thought was to smell the back of the one in front of me. I was tempted to taste it, too. See, the old brick church I grew up in (also Presbyterian) is a much smaller version of this one, but it too has a magnificent pipe organ, stained glass windows, and wooden pews. I have a distinct memory of the pews smelling like Old English furniture polish and tasting like hardwood and lemon. If you grew up in a traditional church, I feel like you're with me on this. Well, maybe minus the wood sampling part. What? I was a curious kid. Behind the back entrance of the parish is an attached little chapel where they have contemporary services. The design and decor were straight out of the 70s, with an Allen organ in the balcony that gets played using a mirror, so the organist can see cues from the pastor and music leaders on the floor. Off to the side of the chapel is a door marked "Columbarium." Inside is a small room lined with silver boxes containing ashes of the deceased. There were some pre-marked stalls with the names of those still living, and one that belonged to a former Cleveland mayor. It was an unexpected find, which leads me to believe this church must have secret passageways. Jim was very knowledgable about the church's history. He told us interesting stories and mentioned that his family has ties to the First Presbyterian Society. When I asked him if he ever gets spooked at night, being in the building alone, he said no.. because he used to be a gravedigger (!). As he showed us the art gallery in one of the adjacent buildings, featuring a Tom Denny retrospective, he also casually mentioned that he has two of his own songs copyrighted and filed in the ASCAP library. Seriously? Maintenance man, tour guide, songwriter, gravedigger. I listed these labels off out loud (in genuine wonder), and Jim finished my sentence by claiming "gravedigger" as the profession he identifies with most. Hubby and I walked away from the visit elated, and hungry. We capped off our experience with a shared polish dog from the food vendor on the corner, convincing me that some of the best moments in life are the ones that catch us by surprise. read more

I came here because I grew up Presbyterian. I stayed here because Mark is a preaching genius! Old Stone Church is a historical landmark in downtown Cleveland. They are often the backdrop to some of the classiest weddings and are often ranked as "best wedding venue" On top of it being gorgeous, they have a wonderful outreach program. They have an art gallery featuring local artists, multiple musical outreaches and lunch and soul events. Like I said though, I really dig the minister. Mark is a Canadian that's grown a real fondness of Cleveland and it shows! He is a wonderful orator and every week I leave feeling touched by his words and the message. He also participates in a band and often plays guitar during church. Bonus! So, next time you go to a wedding there, look around and enjoy your surroundings but maybe consider coming back on a Sunday? BTW, services is at 10am. I'm the one sitting quietly in the back. (not typically during Browns season though) read more

The building gets five stars. Beautiful structure inside and outside. Unfortunately the thing that makes it a 'church' doesn't even qualify for one star. The leadership is not Christian in their attitude or approach and as a guide to young people they are completely lacking. They are simply offensive in ever way and are an embarrassment to all who enter who believe in the divinity of Christ. It should be noted that I am a church going who supports the beliefs and morality of the church yet am atheist so I'm no bible thumper. I am a moral person who does not support abortion at any time and for virtually any reason and I do not support the anti semitic views that the 'womens march' advocates as does the leadership of Old Stone Church in Cleveland. Turn it into a coffee shop and at least provide something of value to people. read more

Keep doing my work pastor!! You have allowed me into the walls of of church and into your hearts!

If you are visiting Cleveland or just live nearby and want a change of pace, this is a great experience. Unlike a lot of "City" churches, this is a bustling, healthy church with agreat choir (most of them paid) and a terrific minister!! Mark Guiliano delivers wonderful sermons and projects a warmth to the congregation, and a knowledge of many things beyond scripture, that will make you want to return. be sure to see the four Tiffany stained glass windows and get a tour if at all possible!! read more

The worship here is dignified, yet not boring and uninspired. The choir is great, but when they finish I want to applaud in appreciation to God for the beauty. This is frowned upon, however. being a Gospel musician and singer, I wish they could incorporate that type of music into the services sometime. Coming from a more expressive religious background, and being Black, the service is a little too quiet for me, but I have visited a few times, and will in the future. The sermons are cogent, and the people are friendly. They have a nice repast after worship. A wide variety of people are there each Sunday from Black to white, old young, families and singles. I even have seen an Indian couple each time I visit. The congregation seems engaged, and many can be heard when it comes time to sing the hymns. I've been to many churches where the people don't sing, but when it comes to fellowship hour, you can't shut them up! The building is beautiful, featuring several Tiffany windows. The congregations takes its stewardship over the physical plant seriously. This church is involved in the community, and has several outreach programs. The pastor has an interesting blog. The pastor's wife gave a children's message when I attended the first time. It was nice and the kids seemed very receptive. Shortly after I visited the first time, I received a beautiful, handmade greeting card featuring a couple of the stain glass windows. Real classy! They do church hospitality right. At some churches hospitality seems forced or fake. I recommend this church highly. I am glad it is a part of the life of downtown Cleveland. read more

As a lifelong resident of a Cleveland suburb, I often wondered what this beautiful historic church looked like inside. On Sunday, January 13, 2013 I got my chance. My wife and I caught the last 25 minutes of the 10:00 mass. The service was outstanding! Following the mass, I asked some of the church personnel if I could look around and possibly take some pictures. Not only did they encourage me to do so, but they pretty much gave me an unofficial tour of the building. Everyone was extremely friendly and accommodating. To anyone who has never visited or has seen the churches interior, I highly recommend you to do so. This church is beautiful and well preserved and the staff is incredible. This past Sunday was my first visit, and it definitely will not be my last. My compliments to the staff, the maintenance personnel and the congregation. You are the BEST ! Keep up the excellent work on this historic holy place in the great city of Cleveland, Ohio! read more