The Beginnings: the Bible Christian Church on Bell Street

The history of the Federated Church of Chagrin Falls began with the Bible Christian Church, a congregation that included many immigrants from England. As its membership grew, the congregation outgrew its original one-story frame building on Front Street, now known as Bell Street, at 112–114 Bell Street.

In 1874, church member William Hutchings purchased a lot three doors west on Front Street. The following year, he built a new brick Bible Christian Church to accommodate the growing congregation.

The First Congregational Church of Chagrin Falls

The Bible Christian Church was headquartered in Canada, with only a small number of active congregations in the United States. American congregations were encouraged to unite with compatible Protestant denominations. In 1884, the Bible Christians began a trial unification with the Congregationalists.

That same year, the church building on Front Street (Bell Street) was enlarged to accommodate the Congregationalist congregation and renamed the First Congregational Church.

The imposing brick church measured approximately 60 feet square. Its interior doors, window frames, and wainscoting were finished in red oak. The building included a lecture room, a Sunday school room in the basement, and an audience room that could comfortably seat 350 worshippers.

A 122-foot steeple topped the roof and housed the town clock. William Hutchings is credited with ordering the clock and receiving its delivery.

Although the clock was reportedly delivered, village residents raised the money needed to purchase it. When renovations were completed in 1885, the new church was officially dedicated. The Exponent quoted a visiting clergyman who praised it as the finest church building he had seen in a town the size of Chagrin Falls.

In 1893, the Congregationalists sold their former frame church building on East Orange Street to William Chapman for $850.

The Formation of the Federated Church in 1929

In 1892, the Disciples of Christ began discussions with the Congregationalists to resolve doctrinal differences. The two congregations began a trial merger in 1919.

The Congregationalists and Disciples of Christ officially joined together in 1929 to form the Federated Church of Chagrin Falls, today a United Church of Christ congregation.

As part of the union, the Disciples left their church building on Walnut Street. The former church was torn down during the 1930s.

Church Programs and Community Life

The Congregational Church also supported youth activities and religious education. In 1904, Mrs. Emily Thayer’s Sunday school class formed the Boys’ Brigade of America, reflecting the congregation’s involvement in community and youth programs.

Expansion

A new Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall were added in 1965. Space for growth at the Bell Street location was unavailable, so in 2000 the church built the Family Life Center on land it had purchased on Route 306 in Bainbridge Township.

The history of the Federated Church reflects the growth and evolution of religious life in Chagrin Falls, from its English immigrant roots in the Bible Christian Church to the unified congregation that continues the community’s Protestant heritage.