Nomination for Independence Presbyterian Church

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

Form No. 10-300 (Rev. 10-74) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES RECEIVED OGT 22 1976 INVENTORY -- NOMINATION FORM APR 1 3 1977 SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN HOW TO COMPLETE NATIONAL REGISTER FORMS TYPE ALL ENTRIES -- COMPLETE APPLICABLE SECTIONS AND/OR COMMON STREET & NUMBER NOT FOR PUBLICATION CITY. TOWN 20 - James V. Stanton - VICINITY OF 3 CLASSIFICATION PRESENT USE X-BUILDING(S) STRUCTURE _WORK IN PROGRESS -PRIVATE RESIDENCE OBJECT -IN PROCESS X YES: RESTRICTED BEING CONSIDERED - YES: UNRESTRICTED 4 OWNER OF PROPERTY 5 LOCATION OF LEGAL DESCRIPTION REGISTRY OF DEEDS, ETC.

REPRESENTATION IN EXISTING SURVEYS DEPOSITORY FOR SURVEY RECORDS 039 035 CODE TITLE DATE LOCATION EDUCATIONAL Cuyahoga COUNTY _ENTERTAINMENT PARK ACCESSIBLE CATEGORY Ohio OWNERSHIP HISTORIC XRELIGIOUS PUBLIC STATE MILITARY PUBLIC ACQUISITION NAME _GOVERNMENT XPRIVATE OTHER: _COMMERCIAL _DISTRICT Cleveland STATUS CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT _TRANSPORTATION Cuyahoga County Records Office 601 Lakeside Ave. COURTHOUSE, DATE ENTERED Independence Presbyterian Church, Inc. DATA SHEET - UNOCCUPIED _INDUSTRIAL Independence _SCIENTIFIC FOR NPS USE ONLY U.S. Route 21 _BOTH -SITE PHO36 AGRICULTURE _MUSEUM 7 DESCRIPTION XORIGINAL SITE X ALTERED DATE DESCRIBE THE PRESENT AND ORIGINAL (IF KNOWN) PHYSICAL APPEARANCE

Description of the property

at entry level, have a single, double-hung, round-arched window capped with top portion of the tower rises above the gable roof and has a single, round- rear of the church, next to it is a petroglyph found during the quarrying of the center of each side of the roof. church is connected to it by a one-story, brick, enclosed walkway. Still CONDITION MOVED RUINS toit. UNALTERED XEXCELLENT Independence Presbyterian Church is a simple, one-story, gable-roofed structure. the cornice.

Along the sides of the church there are four double-hung, round-arched, mullioned this band are stone dentils which continue along the sides of the church under - DETERIORATED stone form a decorative molding along the gabled ends at the roofiine.Beneath roof is covered with slate tiles which form a fish-scale pattern band in the To the rear of the church an education building was completed in 1954.The CHECK ONE intersecting gable roofs.A double course of stone blocks and bandsof darker - UNEXPOSED _FAIR -GOOD block with small, rectangular windows. There is an entry to the left of the later a new church was built to the left of the old one, but is not attached portion of the tower has a small, round window with quatrefoil cut out.

The windows capped with stone molding.The partially raised basement is also stone stone for the church.There is an interior end chimney at the ridgeline.The stone molding. The entrance is reached by three stone steps. The sides of the tower, Built of hand cut stone blocks, the rectangular building faces east. The three- stage central entrance tower has a simple paneled door with mullioned fan and AREAS OF

Statement of significance

In October 1853 the nineteen member congregation began building the Old Stone The church served the community for the next 43 years. By 1905 the local quarries 1600-1699 1400-1499 ARCHEOLOGY-HISTORIC ECONOMICS CONSERVATION ART EDUCATION TRANSPORTATION PREHISTORIC COMMUNICATIONS 1900- ARCHITECTURE PERIOD the congregation. SIGNIFICANCE AGRICULTURE BUILDER/ARCHITECT MILITARY _EXPLORATION/SETTLEMENT INDUSTRY SCULPTURE _POLITICS/GOVERNMENT Jacob Merkle _COMMERCE MUSIC _ENGINEERING X1800-1899 was saved and placed in the rear, exterior wall of the church. Petroglyphs are old church is now used for weddings and special services and is being preserved by Independence Presbyterian Church is a fine example of early stone architecture had outgrown the old church and a new church was built just to the west of it.The the building, adds to its historic interest.

_1500-1599 In 1954 an education building was built behind the church.By 1963 the congregation _1700-1799 Some interior work and the completion of the basement for a furnace were done and the church was rededicated in November of 1925. community which came into being because of the fine quality of the local stone - RELIGION - LITERATURE -LAW building and stone blocks were particularly suitable for a church in this in northern Ohio and is very little altered. The simple, clean lines of the Sharp was the first minister. Designed by Jacob Merkle, the church was constructed the finding in this unique manner. INVENTION large example.It is fortunate and unusual that these early masons preserved group of interested parishioners banded together to raise funds to re-open the church.

were closing down and so did the church.In August 1925 funds were gathered and a petroglyph was destroyed before anyone realized what it was.The remaining portion not common to northern Ohio.This one is believed to bea relatively rare and 9

The rest of the file

Bibliography, boundary description, and the people who prepared and reviewed the nomination.

MAJOR BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES Barnes, Robert M. A View of Independence Presbyterian Church. 1963, Independence,Ohio. June 27, 1937. 10 GEOGRAPHICAL DATA ACREAGE OF NOMINATED PROPERTY _ VERBAL BOUNDARY DESCRIPTION LIST ALL STATES AND COUNTIES FOR PROPERTIES OVERLAPPING STATE OR COUNTY BOUNDARIES STATE - 11 FORM PREPARED BY NAME / TITLE STREET & NUMBER 1982 Velma Avenue (614) 466-8727 CITY OR TOWN 12 STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER CERTIFICATION NATIONAL _ As the designated State Historic Preservation Officer for the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (Public Law 89-665).I hereby nominate this property for inclusion in the National Register and certify that it has been evaluated according to the criteria and procedures set forth by the National Park Service. STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER SIGNATURE Sept.

21, 1976 FOR NPS USE ONLY KEEPER OF THE NATIONAL REGISTER CODE DATE SHPO ORGANIZATION COUNTY TELEPHONE Columbus NORTHING ZONE EASTING Gretchen Klimoski less than one March 1976 Chio Historic Preservation Office UTM REFERENCES GPO 892.453 Cleveland: Fairbanks, Benedict, & Co. I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS PROPERTY IS INCLUDED INTHE NATIONAL REGISTER LOCAL Form No. 10-300a (Rev. 10-74) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE DEC 0 6 1976 NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES DATE ENTERED INVENTOR Y -- NOMINATION FORM APR 1 3 1977 INDEPENDENCE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH CUYAHOGA CO., OHIO CONTINUATION SHEET ITEM NUMBER PAGE RECEIVED VIEW OF ORIGINAL CHURCH surrounded by new church and education complex. FOR NPS USE ONLY Form No. 10-300a (Rev.

10-74) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE RECEIVED OCT 22 1976 -INVENTORY - NOMINATION FORM DATE ENTERED APR 18 1977 Independence Presbyterian Church, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio Old Church education offices PAGE building New Church walkway open CONTINUATION SHEET ITEM NUMBER NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES FOR NPS USE ONLY GPO 892 CUYAHOGA COUNTY, NATIONAL RECEIVED REGISTER INDEPENDENCE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Photos - Cole APR 1 3 1977 OTHER Inventory Working Number 10.22.76.4366 Entered KEEPER Maps Send-back HAER ARCHEOLOGIST CONTROL Re-submit Review Property TECHNICAL HISTORIAN Federal Register Entry National Register Write-up Ohio Independence Presbyterian Church REVIEW UNIT CHIEF BRANCH CHIEF 10.26.26 State 11.30.76 3.28.

ARCHITECTURAL HISTORIAN United States Department of the Interior National Park Service WAso No.7 5-3.77 OCT 22 1976 DJEAPR 1 3 1977 Chester H. Gorczyk Independence Presbyterian Church, Inc. Independence, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio South (facade) and east sides. Tel. 524-2108 filed at Indepencence Presyterian Church 1976, Chester Gorczyk, photographer Photographed by D J E APR 1 3 1977 Tel. 524-2108 1976, Chester Gorczyk, photographer Chester H. Gorczyk Independence, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio filed at Independence Presbyterian Church Photographed by Facade, faces south OCT 22 1976 Independence Presbyterian Church, Inc. OCT 22 1976 3. y 3 D 0 E APR 1 3 1977 Independence Presbyterian Church, Inc. Church.

Independence, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio File Petrogylph in rear exterior wall of CMNH 1968, filed at Independence Presbyterian CLEVELAND SOUTH QUADRANGLE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 7.5 MINUTE SERIES (TOPOGRAPHIC NATIONAL UNITED STATES Indepencence, Cuyahoga Co., APR 1 3 1877 LEVELAND SOUTH, OHIO 6624 PUBLIC SQUARE INDEPENDENCE, OHIO 44131 ROBERT M. BARNES DI- William Jo Murtagh Washington, D.C. 20240 which became Independence, Ohio. taken from many feet under the surface of the earth in being quarried for building the church.

This archeólogical point of view, and from its historical PHONE MINISTER Very truly yours, Dear Sir, Department of the Interior Independence Presbyterian Church Session Member 216-524-6307 Reference: H34-880 National Register, we would like to comment in light Built into the outer wall of the church is a stone, regarding our property which has been nominated to the and the crooked trail of a serpent.The stone was The property which has been nominated is an old stone National Park Service March 14, 1977 importance to the immediate geographical areg. its kind found in Ohio under the soil.It is assumed Thus, we believe this property derives its primary the soil covering the stone.

petroglyph is believed to be the only carved stone of church, built in l855 from hand cut stone found a short In response to your letter of February l8,1977 a quarry near the village, at the time that stone was prints of a moose or large deer, the print of a bear, Keeper of the National Register of the National Register "Criteria for Evaluation." that several thousand years were required to accumulate four feet by seven feet, which shows clearly the foot- years after the first settlers ventured into the area significance from its artistic distinction, from the AFR 13 1977 Chesapeake vicinity Honan, John, House Licking County Independence vicinity Hon. Howard M. Metzenbaum Hon. Clarence B. Miller Hon. Ronald M. Mott). Hon. John H.

Ashbrook Regional Director, Midwest Region Location Name STATE Also Notified 4/18/77 Maplewood ENTRIES IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER Independence Presbyterian Church Episcopal Church of the Resurrection Lawrence County Cuyahoga County Date Entered Cincinnati vicinity Hon.John H.Glena, Jr. DE. Thonaa i. Snith Columbus, Ohio 43211 Ion. Jamea V. Stanton 880 Lanilton County APR 13 1977 STREET & NUMBER CITY. TOWN CONGRESSIUNAL DISTRICT 20 VICINITY OF FEDERAL (AGENCY NAME) : - Substantially intact-1 - not applicable - 7 -Interior, exterior, environs not intact-0 CONDITION - "only" YES -LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE - CONSERVATION _SOCIAL/HUMANITARIAN MUSIC _ socio/cultural _urban & commun _OTHER (SPECIFY) "oldest2 YES Saved?

035 039 now- FEATURES: Independence EXTERIOR INVENTION MIDWEST INTERIOR ENVIRONS OTHER MOVED COMMERCE EXCELLENT Claims "first" Reviewer DATE: Yes-unrestricted EXPLORATION historic district? STATE EDUCATION INITIALS: DETERIORATED SIGNIFICANCE: planning ART DOE LOCATION: UNEXPOSED UNALTERED AGRICULTURE FAIR No access PACIFIC NORTHWEST WITHIN NATIONAL REGISTER HISTORIC DISTRICT? ARCHEOLOGY-HISTORIC -recreation ARCHEOLUGY-PREHISTORIC Unknown _POLITICS/GOVERNMENT WITHIN NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK?

ARCHITECTURE MILITARY -health _PHILOSOPHY .ENGINEERING _entertainment ADAPTIVE USE: LITERATURE -Reconstructed _TRANSPORTATION Ohio _COMMUNICATIONS ADMINISTRATOR(underline) -settlement OWNER OF PROPERTY: (Circle) -ECONOMICS IF YES, NAME: OTHER NANES: -ORIGINAL SITE -counrrCuyahoga code -Unexcavated -INDUSTRY -GOOD FUNCTION (S): (use vocabulary words) - religious _LAW/Gov't/politics _SCIENCE PRIVATE _RUINS (label role DATE OF CONSTRUCTION (Specific date or 1/4 of century): 185 3-55 DATE (S) OF "MAJOR" ALTERATIONS: HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT DATE (S) : FEDERAL AGENCY: SIGNIFICANCE: (maximum two sentences) builder/contractor: COUNTY artist/artisan: DATES: personal OTHER STATE MUNICIPAL institutional NAMES: events landscape/garden designer: engineer: COM MENTS: (include architectural information here) appropriate date) interior decorator: PRIVATE ETHNIC GROUP: LOCAL GOV"T SOURCE: (OF NOMINATION)