Berea in Cuyahoga County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

First Congregational United Church of Christ of Berea

Photographed by Christopher Light, November 3, 2007

1. First Congregational - United Church of Christ of Berea Marker

Inscription. Seven original members, who were staunch abolitionists, organized the First Congregational Church of Berea in the nearby Union School House on June 9, 1855. These members publicly articulated opposition to slavery and their desire for a church with full local autonomy. The church purchased this property and erected this sanctuary in 1869, the oldest still standing structure used as a church in Berea and the original Middleburg Township. It is constructed of locally manufactured brick with a foundation from the Berea sandstone quarries. The 100-foot spire was added in 1954 to celebrate its 100th anniversary since the founding of the church in 1855. The church joined the newly formed United Church of Christ in 1961. During its long history, the church has developed many programs to assist person in need in the Berea area and developed collaborative ventures with other churches and civic groups.

Erected 2005 by First Congregational United Church of Christ, Berea Historical Society, The Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 18-82.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR

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• Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection series list. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1837.

Location. 41° 22.03′ N, 81° 51.105′ W. Marker is in Berea, Ohio, in Cuyahoga County. It is at the intersection of Seminary Street and Church Street on Seminary Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Berea OH 44017, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Cleveland,

on the Lake Erie Shore,

and in the Western Reserve.

It is also in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once 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: Lyceum Square (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Chapel Square Memorial Garden (about 400 feet away); United States of America Navy Department

Photographed by Christopher Light, November 3, 2007

2. First Congregational - United Church of Christ of Berea Marker

(about 400 feet away); Civil War Memorial (about 400 feet away); U.S.S. Maine Memorial (about 500 feet away); Berea Veterans Honor Roll (about 500 feet away); Albert E. Baesel (about 500 feet away); The Berea Triangle (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Berea.

More about this marker. By the numbering conventions of the Ohio Historical Society, this should be marker number 82-18.

Photographed by Christopher Light, November 3, 2007

3. First Congregational - United Church of Christ of Berea Marker

Photographed by Christopher Light, November 3, 2007

4. First Congregational - United Church of Christ of Berea Marker

Photographed by Craig Doda, February 28, 2026

5. First Congregational United Church of Christ of Berea Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on March 18, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 13, 2007, by Christopher Light of Valparaiso, Indiana. This page has been viewed 2,822 times since then and 47 times this year. Last updated on March 7, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 13, 2007, by Christopher Light of Valparaiso, Indiana. 5. submitted on March 7, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.