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Lakewood Christian Church

12501 Lake Ave
216-221-2716


Mission :

As members of the Christian Church,We confess that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God,and proclaim him Lord and Savior of the world.

In Christ's name and by his grace,we accept our mission of witness and service to all people.

We rejoice in God,maker of heaven and earth,and in the covenant of love.

Through baptism into Christ we enter into newness of life and are made one with the whole people of God.

In the communion of the Holy Spirit, we are joined together in discipleship and in obedience to Christ.

At the table of the Lordwe celebrate with thanksgiving the saving acts and presence of Christ. Within the universal church we receive the gift of ministry and the light of scripture.

In the bonds of Christian faith we yield ourselves to God that we may serve the One whose kingdom has no end.

Blessing, glory and honor be to God forever. Amen.

History :
Informal Beginnings - In May 1872, Reverend James Cannon, his wife Rhoda, and several members of the Franklin Circle Church of Cleveland began a Union Sunday School in the West District School House of East Rockport (now Lakewood), on the site of the present McKinley Elementary School.

The "meetings" were very informal, conducted by traveling evangelists, typically lasting ten days to two weeks. New members and conversions were often referred to as "additions." People of all ages, feeling the need of a local church, came individually and in family groups to worship together. Men could be seen clad in high-top boots, lumber jackets and coon-skin caps, coming from their jobs at sawing and chopping lumber.

Formal Incorporation - By 1878, the congregation decided it was time to secure property and erect a church. A small building called the Rocky River Christian Chapel was constructed west of Park Row on Detroit Avenue. The first service was held January 27, 1878, The Lord's Supper was first celebrated February 10, and a formal dedication was held on June 16th.

Three years later, on January 31, 1881, the congregation became formally incorporated under the name "The Rocky River Church of Christ". On October 20, 1906, new Articles of Incorporation were granted changing the name to "Lakewood Church of Christ". The name "Lakewood Christian Church" came into gradual use and as late as 1915 entries in the records of Official Board meetings can be found with both names.


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