Ohio City in Cleveland in Cuyahoga County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
St. John’s Episcopal Church
The Underground Railroad
Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, September 24, 2019
1. St. John’s Episcopal Church Marker
side A
Inscription.
St. John’s Episcopal Church. The Underground Railroad. Side A
Called “Station Hope” by many freedom seekers on the Underground Railroad, St. John’s was one of their final stops. Though aiding freedom seekers was a crime and often could not be described in public documents, Sheila T. Hatch (c. 1848- 1935), an historian of Cuyahoga County and a member of St. John’s for her entire life, notes that “in the tower of St. John’s Church were often secreted runaway slaves until such time as they could be shipped to Canada.” From the tower, they watched for lantern signals from small boats that took them to Whiskey Island. There, they boarded the larger boats that sailed to Canada in search of freedom.
Among the founders and early members of St. John’s were several prominent opponents of slavery. Josiah Barber (1771- 1842) was mayor of Ohio City and vice-president of the Cuyahoga County Colonization Society, which held that slaves should be purchased by the federal government and re-settled in Africa. John Beverlin (c. 1813- 1891), a later mayor of Ohio City, was a member of the executive committee of the Free Soil Club, which stood for “free soil, free speech, free labor, free men.” Josiah Harris (1808- 1876), mayor of Cleveland and owner of the Cleveland Herald and Gazette, refused to print notices for the return of runaway slaves.
Side B
The Underground Railroad was neither underground nor a railroad, but a system of loosely connected safe havens where those escaping the brutal conditions of slavery were sheltered, fed, clothed, nursed, concealed, disguised, and instructed during their journey to freedom. Although this movement was one of America's greatest social, moral, and humanitarian endeavors, the details about it were often cloaked in secrecy to protect those involved from the retribution of civil law and slave-catchers. Ohio's history has been permanently shaped by the thousands of runaway slaves passing through or finding permanent residence in this state.
Side A
Called “Station Hope” by many freedom seekers on the
Underground Railroad, St. John’s was one of their final stops.
Though aiding freedom seekers was a crime and often could
not be described in public documents, Sheila T. Hatch
(c. 1848- 1935), an historian of Cuyahoga County and a
member of St. John’s for her entire life, notes that “in the
tower of St. John’s Church were often secreted runaway slaves
until such time as they could be shipped to Canada.” From
the tower, they watched for lantern signals from small boats
that took them to Whiskey Island. There, they boarded the
larger boats that sailed to Canada in search of freedom.
Among the founders and early members of St. John’s were
several prominent opponents of slavery. Josiah Barber (1771- 1842)
was mayor of Ohio City and vice-president of the Cuyahoga
County Colonization Society, which held that slaves should be
purchased by the federal government and re-settled in Africa.
John Beverlin (c. 1813- 1891), a later mayor of Ohio City, was
a member of the executive committee of the Free Soil Club,
which stood for “free soil, free speech, free labor, free men.”
Josiah Harris (1808- 1876), mayor of Cleveland and owner of
the Cleveland Herald and Gazette, refused to print notices for
the return of runaway slaves.
Side
Click or scan to see this page online
B
The Underground Railroad was neither underground nor a railroad, but a system of loosely connected safe havens where those escaping the brutal conditions of slavery were sheltered, fed, clothed, nursed, concealed, disguised, and instructed during their journey to freedom. Although this movement was one of America's greatest social, moral, and humanitarian endeavors, the details about it were often cloaked in secrecy to protect those involved from the retribution of civil law and slave-catchers. Ohio's history has been permanently shaped by the thousands of runaway slaves passing through or finding permanent residence in this state.
Erected by The Friends of Freedom Historical Society, Inc. The Episcopal Diocese Ohio.
Location. 41° 29.395′ N, 81° 42.486′ W. Marker is in Cleveland, Ohio, in Cuyahoga County. It is in Ohio City. Marker is at the intersection of Church Avenue and West 26th Street, on the right when traveling west on Church Avenue. marker is in front of St. John’s Episcopal Church in “Ohio City”. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2600 Church Ave, Cleveland OH 44113, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of
Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, September 24, 2019
Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, September 24, 2019
3. St. John’s Episcopal Church Marker
full view of marker from sidewalk
Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, September 24, 2019
4. St. John’s Episcopal Church Marker
marker as seen from the corner
Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, September 24, 2019
5. St. John’s Episcopal Church Marker
second marker on site
Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, September 24, 2019
6. St. John’s Episcopal Church Marker
third marker
Credits. This page was last revised on February 4, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 25, 2019, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. This page has been viewed 334 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on September 25, 2019, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
