The United Church of Christ (UCC) is a "mainline" Protestant denomination that came into being in 1957 as the result of a merger between the Congregational Christian Churches and the Evangelical and Reformed Church -- both of which predecessor denominations were the results of previous mergers. Thus, four traditions contribute to the UCC background: The Congregational Christian Churches, the Christian Church, the German Reformed Church in the U.S., and the Evangelical Synod in North America. The UCC has from its very beginnings, then, been ecumenical and inclusive in nature, as is reflected in the words found in its emblem: "That they may all be one." (John 17:21a) Since 1985, the UCC has enjoyed an ecumenical partnership with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), as well.

The polity of the UCC is based on the congregational model, with each congregation maintaining its autonomy. Individual congregations, however, work together through Associations and Conferences, which in turn relate to the General Synod, which speaks to the whole UCC. At the present time, the UCC includes over 6,000 congregations spread throughout the U.S., with a combined membership of over 1.6 million. The national headquarters is in Cleveland, Ohio. In Lakewood, there are three congregations: First United Church of Christ, Lakewood Congregational Church (UCC), and Liberation United Church of Christ.

The UCC is a "united" and "uniting" church, celebrating its diversity while honoring its traditional roots.

Reverend William E. Nelson

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First United Church of Christ
2150 Warren Road
Lakewood, Ohio 44107
(216) 221-2463
chair lift available

First United Church of Christ (Lakewood) traces its history back to 1848, when it was founded on the near West Side of Cleveland. The First Reformed Church, as it came to be known, was located on West 32nd Street, in a building now occupied by a Spanish-speaking Roman Catholic congregation. In 1923, the church relocated to the rapidly developing suburb of Lakewood and built its present building. In 1957, the congregation, by then the First Evangelical and Reformed Church, adopted its present name to reflect the E&R merger with the Congregational Christian Church, becoming the UCC. The Education Wing was added to the building in 1959.

 

Lakewood Congregational Church
1375 West Clifton Boulevard
Lakewood, Ohio 44107
(216) 221-9555
elevator available

Lakewood Congregational Church was organized December 8, 1905, with a charter membership of 27. The members worshipped in homes, then in a portable chapel situated on the site of the present building. On Palm Sunday, 1915, with a membership of about 200, the church’s lovely new brick structure with its striking columns became the focus of worship and education. In October 1955, a new educational wing and a chapel were dedicated. We have opened our church building to the community, housing our own Haynes Nursery School, and many community groups including adult day care, Alcoholics Anonymous, Scouts, and Meals on Wheels. Our church’s annual Advent Boar’s Head Festival has contributed thousands of dollars in recent years to Hunger Centers. Mission support includes Lakewood Christian Service Center and other organizations in the Greater Cleveland area seeking to meet human needs.

 

Parkwood Congregational Church
13714 Madison Avenue
Lakewood, Ohio  44107
(216) 521-5556
ramp

Originally Parkwood Church, this congregation began when the Cleveland Federation of Churches in 1919 assigned the Congregational Union of Cleveland the task of organizing a church in Lakewood. In June of that year, the Union purchased this site. Sunday School was organized and began meeting in January 1921 at Franklin School. On Easter Sunday of 1924, the first service was held in the newly built church. In 1954, the Scandinavian-style nave and chancel were built, and the north end of the church was remodeled as a chapel and educational-recreational area. In 1971, a new building was added to house a large fellowship hall, six classrooms, offices, lounge, library and kitchen. By the late 1990s, membership had dwindled and could no longer maintain the building. Since 1993, Liberation United Church of Christ had been meeting in rented space at the Hillel Foundation on Case Western Reserve University. In January 1999, the Parkwood congregation bequeathed the building to Liberation United Church of Christ.