Downtown in Cleveland in Cuyahoga County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
The First Christmas Tree in America
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 18, 2021
1. The First Christmas Tree in America Marker
The First Christmas Tree in America publicly lighted and displayed in a church Christmas service stood where the Cleveland Public Auditorium now stands, a designated Cleveland Landmark.
On that site once stood the original Zion Lutheran Church where on Christmas Eve, 1851, its pastor, Henry Schwan (1819-1905) introduced that first historic Christmas tree, a tradition he brought from Germany and which spread from that site throughout America.
The present location of Zion Lutheran Church is 2062 East 30th Street.
Erected 1975 by Cleveland Landmarks Commission; and Rotary Club of Cleveland.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Churches & Religion. In addition, it is included in the Rotary International series list. A significant historical date for this entry is December 24, 1851.
Location. 41° 30.175′ N, 81° 41.678′ W. Marker is in Cleveland, Ohio, in Cuyahoga County. It is in Downtown. Marker is on West Mall Drive south of Lakeside Avenue East, on the left when traveling south. Marker is located along the sidewalk, overlooking the Cleveland Mall. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Cleveland OH 44114, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Slovenians, Thomas Jefferson and The Declaration of Independence (here, next to this marker);
this page online
Also see . . .
1. America's "First" Christmas Tree. Although Pastor Schwan was not the first person to decorate a Christmas tree in North America, he was the first to introduce one into a church. Within a day or two, Schwan's Christmas tree was the talk of the town, and the talk was not good. A prominent local newspaper called it “a nonsensical, asinine, moronic absurdity, besides being silly.” It editorialized against “these Lutherans . . . worshipping a tree . . . groveling before a shrub.” On Christmas Eve 1852, Schwan's church again displayed a Christmas tree. But this time it was not the only one in Cleveland. In fact, decorated trees appeared in homes all
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 18, 2021
2. The First Christmas Tree in America Marker
Cleveland Mall & Cleveland Public Auditorium in background.
2. Brief History of the Christmas Tree in the United States. The tradition of using evergreens and trees in celebration likely began in the northern parts of Europe. The trees had been a tradition in German homes since the 16th century. Their popularity led to the tradition becoming established in England and the United States. By the first half of the 19th-century it was still usual to find a Christmas tree in any American town square or home. This began to change with the influx of German immigrants who brought their own traditions to the new country. (Submitted on September 19, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
3. How Christmas Trees Became a Popular Tradition. By the end of the 19th century, Christmas trees had become a widespread tradition throughout America. (Submitted on September 19, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Detail from 19th century engraving published in Leipzig
3. A 19th Century German Christmas Tree
Credits. This page was last revised on February 4, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 19, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 1,186 times since then and 55 times this year. It was the Marker of the Week December 18, 2022. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 19, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 3. submitted on December 17, 2022, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. Wide area view without arrow added. • Can you help?
