Lakeside in Ottawa County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
German Auditorium
(South Auditorium)
Lakeside Heritage Trail
| | Lakeside Chautauqua 150 Years 1873 - 2023 | |
Photographed by Craig Doda, July 24, 2025
1. German Auditorium Marker
For the first 60 years of Lakeside, preaching was bilingual. German services were held from 1883 to 1933.
Erected 2023 by Lakeside Heritage Society. (Marker Number 26.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1883.
Location. 41° 32.492′ N, 82° 44.953′ W. Marker is in Lakeside, Ohio, in Ottawa County. It is at the intersection of Central Avenue and West 6th Street, on the right when traveling south on Central Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 540 Central Ave, Lakeside Marblehead OH 43440, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on the Lake Erie Shore and in the Toledo Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American Midwest, on the Great Lakes, and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France, the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: South Auditorium (a few steps from this marker); Wesley Lodge (within shouting distance of this marker); Wo-Ho-Mis (within shouting distance of this marker); Epworth Lodge (within shouting distance of this marker); United Methodist Church (within shouting distance of this marker); The Fire of October 20, 1929 / The Lakeside Volunteer Fire Protective Association (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Linga Longa (about 400 feet away); Hoover Potato Digger & Lakeside (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lakeside.
Also see . . .
this page online
1. Welcome to the Lakeside Heritage Trail. One hundred and fifty years ago, the founders of Lakeside stood on the shores of Lake Erie envisioning a place for the faithful to gather in community. Since then, millions of people have been beckoned to this beautiful, peaceful sanctuary to deepen their connection to Lakesides timeless mission
To enrich the quality of life for all people, to foster traditional Christian values, and to nurture relationships through opportunities for renewal and growth spiritually, intellectually, culturally and physically while preserving Lakesides heritage.
With the new year, we welcome Lakesides 150th Anniversary a time to honor the past, celebrate the present and look to the future. This exciting Sesquicentennial Celebration connects us to the mission through enriching religious life programs, educational lectures, cultural arts performances and recreational activities. (Submitted on August 11, 2025, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio.)
2. 26. German Auditorium. Then
Rev. Dr. William (Wilhelm) Nast, the founder of the German Methodist Church had two primary objectives in life, to preach the Gospel and to help German immigrants become Americans, not just live as immigrants in a new land.
Following the 1874 Dedication of Lakeside, Dr. Nast and the Central German Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Photographed by Craig Doda, July 24, 2025
2. German Auditorium Marker
For several years, the German Camp Meetings were held either in the open or under a large tent, until a large open-air auditorium was constructed in 1883. The new building was dedicated as German Auditorium on August 15, 1883. One of the first Lakeside buildings to be equipped with electric lights, it was said to be beautiful at night.
The first sermon in the new auditorium was preached by Rev. Henry Liebhart, the editor of the German Haus and Home. It was through his efforts that attendees were encouraged to join the Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circles and to create Lakeside Circles in their home communities to continue year-round learning.
Leaders of the German-speaking churches included Bishops, missionaries, academic and industry leaders who attracted as many as 4,000 people each summer to Lakeside to immerse themselves in hours of preaching. Education, temperance programming, prayer meetings
Photographed by Craig Doda, July 24, 2025
3. German Auditorium Marker
By the early 1930s, use of the German language in the Ohio region had decreased significantly. Dr. Nasts goal of helpings German immigrants become Americans had been accomplished. The German Methodists merged into the English Methodist Episcopal Church in 1933. Although the large German meetings ended, many of them still gathered annually until the early 1940s to hold reunions at Lakeside. They considered German Auditorium as sacred ground.
As time passed, improvements were made to the auditorium. The dirt floor was replaced with concrete and the building was enclosed in 1931. A small extension was added to the north end of the auditorium. In 1953, two unattached wings for meeting rooms were added on the north end of the structure to meet the needs of larger groups and more activities.
Now
South Auditorium retains much of its distinctive period beauty. The auditorium interior consists of one large open room and stage. Decorative Victorian framing and posts support the roof. The spacious interior of the central building, along with the two wings, makes it ideal for an endless variety of events. Summers find it continuously filled with youth activities, musical events, plays, dances, antique shows and recycle sales. (Submitted on August 11, 2025, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio.)
Photographed by Craig Doda, July 24, 2025
4. German Auditorium Marker
Photographed by Craig Doda, July 24, 2025
5. German Auditorium Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on August 26, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 11, 2025, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 69 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 11, 2025, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
