Kirtland in Lake County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Baptisms on the East Branch of the Chagrin River

Photographed by Craig Doda, May 2, 2026

1. Baptisms on the East Branch of the Chagrin River Marker

Inscription.
During the 1830s, the East Branch of the Chagrin River, which can be seen at the mouth of this brook, had several mill dams that created ponds along the riverbed.

In these ponds, many Latter-day Saints were baptized by immersion, including Newel K. and Elizabeth Ann Whitney, Willard Richards, and Lorenzo Snow.

Elder P. P. Pratt baptized me in the Chagrin River and the Spirit of the Lord sensibly attended the ministration, and I came out of the water rejoicing and singing praises to God and the Lamb.
-John Murdock

Erected by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures.

Location. 41° 37.74′ N, 81° 21.651′ W. Marker is in Kirtland, Ohio, in Lake County. It is at the intersection of Kirtland Chardon Road and Chillicothe Road, on the right when traveling south on Kirtland Chardon Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 7800 Kirtland Chardon Rd, Willoughby OH 44094, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in

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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: Tannery (within shouting distance of this marker); Kirtland Schoolhouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Site of the Whitney Red Store (within shouting distance of this marker); Site of the Whitney and Gilbert Livery Stable (within shouting distance of this marker); Mormon Community (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Faith, Family, Community, and Industry (approx. 0.2 miles away); Kirtland Temple (approx. ¼ mile away); a different marker also named Kirtland Temple (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kirtland.

Photographed by Craig Doda, May 2, 2026

2. Baptisms on the East Branch of the Chagrin River Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 1, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 21, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 12 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 21, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.