A Guide to Cleveland's Sacred Landmarks

As a developing industrial city during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Cleveland attracted diverse national groups. Their many churches and synagogues served as visual focal points and sociat centers in the city’s ethnic neighborhoods. Today the resulting ensemble of sacred landmarks adds much to Cleveland’s dynamic and visually interesting architecture. This guide, funded in part by the Ohio Arts and Humanities Councils, spotlights more than 120 of these structures with photographs, maps, and descriptive details about each building’s architectural significance, construction, architect(s), location, and congregation. In addition, the guide offers 10 driving tours to the sacred landmarks, all located within the city limits of Cleveland and classified by neighborhood―downtown, University Circle, Ohio City, and Tremont areas, among others. Proceeds from the sale of the book will benefit the Sacred Landmarks Research Group of Cleveland State University. “This book is by far the best available repository of information on the architectural, aesthetic, and cultural resources represented by these buildings. Through this book, Clevelanders can better understand, appreciate, and, perhaps, better manage these priceless resources.” ―Dr. Michael J. Tevesz, Co-Director, Sacred Landmarks Research Group

Foster Armstrong is director of the Urban Design Center of Northeast Ohio, emeritus professor of architecture and environmental design at Kent State University, vice president of the Cleveland Restoration Society, and member of the Sacred Landmarks Research Group. In 1992 he received the Kent State University President’s Medal for exemplary leadership in revitalizing several northeastern Ohio cities. He is also an architect and planning consultant.

Richard Klein, assistant professor of urban studies at Cleveland State University, is an urban archeologist, a fellow with the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, the secretary of the Cleveland Restoration Society, and a private preservation consultant.

Cara Armstrong received degrees in architecture and interdisciplinary studies from Miami University and is currently a graduate student in architecture at Columbia University. She is employed by David Young, Architects, in Hudson, Ohio.

Thomas Lewis, photographer, is a member of the Sacred Landmarks Research Group and a professor and former chair of the geopolitical sciences department at Cleveland State University.

Thomas F. Pike, rector of Calvary and St. George’s parish in New York City, is national chair of Partners for Sacred Places.