This Gorgeous Church Hiding In Cleveland Is Nothing Short Of Heavenly
Northeast Ohio is fascinating in terms of its architecture. You’ll hear words like “rich” or “stunning” when locals describe it, but some of the area’s churches are downright heavenly. One exquisite destination in Cleveland is a local favorite, coveted by its congregation and community alike. The crazy part? This stunning church was once a mere potato patch, and now it is one of The Land’s most recognizable landmarks.
Cleveland is overflowing with incredible architecture, but one building in particular towers over the landscape like a castle from a fairytale.
Warszawa, known today as Slavic Village, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, as is this beautiful church. Catholic Polish immigration to Cleveland began around the late 1860s, and a few years later this charming congregation was formed.
The congregation traces its roots back to 1873, and they originally occupied a building known as St. Mary's on the Flats.
This church was known locally as Our Lady of the Lake, and it was the first Catholic church in Cleveland. It was dedicated in 1840 and had been abandoned when the St. Stanislaus congregation moved in.
The current church site was purchased in August of 1881, and construction was completed ten years later.
The site the extravagant church stands on was once a potato patch, but today it's a heavenly milieu with a striking presence. It became necessary when an influx of Polish immigrants made the old location far too small for the congregation's needs.
In 1907, a school was built alongside the church... but tragedy struck in 1909.
A tornado tore through Cleveland in 1909, taking with it pieces of the St. Stanislaus roof and twin spires. It was rebuilt, but the city would not allow the spires to be rebuilt at their original height.
In 1998, a $1.5 million restoration was completed in the church, restoring it to its former splendor.
On October 5-7, 2018, you can experience the rich history of this charming destination in person. Of course, Polish delicacies like pierogi and kielbasa will be served. For hours, click here.
This beautiful church is a Cleveland landmark, and its history is truly fascinating.
Our local churches each have their own story to tell, but the story of this shrine is downright incredible. Have you attended mass here, or perhaps known a family member who has wed within its walls?
Nikki is a lifelong Ohioan with a love for literature. She holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Akron and has enjoyed publishing her written work since 2007. She has a love of travel and does so frequently, though she believes that home is where the heart is - she continues to work in and around Cleveland as a digital content specialist to this day, working on everything from commercial scripts and social media posts to grassroots marketing initiatives.
