The First Congregational Church was organized as a Presbyterian church on December 18, 1834, and incorporated on February 23, 1835. In 1838, forty-four of its members withdrew to form their own Congregational church. The members of this Congregational church were unable to support it and returned to the original Presbyterian church in 1844. Two years later, however, the congregation voted itself out of the Presbyterian church and joined the Congregational denomination.
The first services were held in a brick school house on Vermont Street in Brooklyn, Ohio (annexed to Cleveland in 1894). In 1835, a temporary structure was erected on the southeast corner of Detroit and State Streets. In 1851, during the pastorate of Reverend James A. Thome, a brick structure was erected on the Detroit Street lot. Reverend Henry M. Tenney accepted the position of pastor in 1880. Tenney was an organizer of the Anti-Saloon League and an instructor of English at the Case Institute of Technology from 1888-1889. In 1885, while he was pastor, a new building was erected on Franklin and West 47th Streets.
In 1910, Dr. H. N. Dascomb began his pastorate at First Congregational and it was during his ministry that a parsonage was purchased on West 47th Street. During World War I, Dr. Dascomb resigned and joined the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA). His ministry was followed by that of Dr. William Kedzie in 1918, who served the church for then years, and left only a short time before the stock market crash of 1929. He was replaced by Dr. Earl H. Thayer who served the church through the Great Depression. Like other churches during the Depression, First Congregational provided relief for the needy and social and welfare work in the community.
In 1943, a new parsonage was erected on Clinton Avenue and in May of that year Reverend Earl Ware foster accepted the position of church pastor. In 1944, First Congregational discussed a merger with Highland Congregational Church, but by 1946 the idea had been abandoned. In 1954, financial difficulties forced the church to disband. All assets, including the church's records, were turned over to the Congregational Union of Cleveland. Marriages, however, continued to be held at the church until 1962.
From the guide to the First Congregational Church Records, 1837-1963, (Western Reserve Historical Society)
