A fire, apparently caused by lightning, has destroyed the historic Euclid Avenue Congregational UCC building in Cleveland during the morning hours of March 23.
The structure, located next to the Cleveland Clinic, was destroyed, with the Euclid Avenue east-end corridor being closed to traffic Tuesday morning out of concern that the building's front facade could collapse. Only the walls now remain; the rest of the building will be torn down.
Founded in 1843, Euclid Avenue Congregational UCC was one of the first racially integrated churches in the city. The congregation has about 200 members.
Tim Robson, organist at the church for 26 years, posted a message Tuesday morning on Facebook asking for the wider church's thoughts and prayers. "I believe that God will provide for our future," he wrote.
For the near future, particularly Palm Sunday, March 28, and Easter Sunday, April 4, the congregation of Euclid Avenue Congregational Church of the United Church of Christ will worship at the building of the First United Methodist Church at the corner of East 30th Street and Euclid Avenue.
For further coverage, visit: http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2010/03/euclid_avenue_congregational_c.html.
March 26, 2010
United Church of Christ News
