If you mention the church with the big white pillars to anyone in town there is a 99 percent chance they will know exactly what you are talking about. One of the most recognizable buildings in East Liverpool the building that sits at 400 college street holds a lot more things than I ever thought possible. I never expected to see the things that I saw inside the church when a group of us were graciously allowed to photograph the church one Saturday in November. The church was started in 1888 and met at the corner of Fourth and Elm streets.In 1897 the first building burned down and the building located at 400 college street that you see here was completed in 1912. In it's zenith the church boasted over 1250 members in the years around 1915 through the 1920's. They have always had a popular youth group through the years with many kids participating into the late 80's.
Many old photographs of the many members and youth lined up and down the block can be found hanging in the church offices. One of the highlights of this church is it's wonderful stained glass windows. Each one has a basic and common design on the bottom but also has an individual picture on the top side. There are well over 20 different windows around the church along with round stained glass windows on the gable ends of the roof. One of the most amazing things in this church is a 32 foot stained glass skylight dome that sits about 25 feet above the main sanctuary. It is lighted by both natural sunlight and florescent lighting inside the massive white dome that adorns the very top of the church. There is only one other stained glass skylight of that size in town that I know of and it is gone now. It was located in the top of the old Elks building but has been removed. At one time the white cross on top of the church's dome rotated around driven by a motor located inside. A church leader told me that back in the second world war the dome was lighted 24hrs a day and used by planes as a landmark. The most amazing thing about this church is how well it has been maintained over the last one hundred years.The stained glass skylight is truly a work of art and craftsmanship.
The only way to the backside of it and inside the round dome is up ladders and through the attic. Enjoy the pictures but if you really want to see all of the details you will have to go see it in person.
 |
| A view of the sanctuary from the balcony. |
 |
| The skylight is located in the very center of the sanctuary. |
 |
| One of a kind and hand crafted. |
 |
| As you can tell each window has a different emblem in the circle at the top. |
 |
| A picture of the members circa 1915. |
 |
| This is the backside of the skylight inside of the dome. The whole thing is self supporting and has a slight arc to it. |
 |
| The inside of the white dome. Notice the lights and windows all around. At one time these windows were stained glass also. |
 |
| This dome can be seen all over town. |
I would like to thank Carl and John for all the info and for letting us take pictures. There was certainly a lot to see both inside and out.
No comments:
Post a Comment