First German Reformed Church
West End, Cincinnati, Ohio
The First German Reformed Church was located along Freeman Avenue in Cincinnati, Ohio. Constructed in 1850 as the First German Reformed Church,(1) the building was features a front limestone exterior with a side and rear constructed of brick. The northeast corner features a steeple constructed with a limestone facade, and a bay of four large, stained glass windows on the southern and northern walls. A parsonage was constructed in the lot to the south of the church, fronting Findlay Street. The church served the West End, a German-American neighborhood.
First German Reformed became known as the First Reformed Church in 1918, owing to the changing demographics and anti-German fear post-World War I. After the neighborhood began to decline in the 1960s, resulting in a dwindling congregation, the church was forced to sell the property in 1970. The Freeman Avenue United Church of Christ was relocated into the building later that year,(2) although it lasted only five years before closing.(1) The property was then transferred to Seven Hills Neighborhood Houses, Inc. on November 18, 1993.
First German was slated for demolition until Over-the-Rhine Adopt was established and began matching property owners to prospective buyers. The church was marketed for a discount rate, with the condition that the new owners make necessary repairs to stabilize the building and pay all back taxes and fees. On January 20, 2011, Teddy Aitkins, Manny Hernandez and Skye White purchased the church and have begun making repairs to stabilize the property and get it back within city compliance. Windows and doors were secured, and roof repairs were started.
Gallery
Historical
- “German Evangelical & Lutheran Church Records.” Cincinnati & Hamilton County, Ohio Resources. 20 July 2009 Article.
- First Reformed Church. “Church records, 1844-1977.” Genealogical Society of Utah (Salt Lake City) 1993. 22 July 2009. Microform.
Look for a call.
Thanks Rusty
910-5900 (513)
E-mail
miterbox1@netzero.com
I have a Confirmation Certificate from this Church from 1862. I found in attic in my house in Fairfax. It's a shame this Church is gradually falling apart. Thanks for posting the pictures.
Dale Hutchinson
My German ancesters were some of the original founders in 1850s. My family attended this church until the early 1950s. Very excited about the church's renewal!
Does anyone know of any other early congregants? I just saw this church on Saturday. Unbelievable.
Hi,
I have admired this church from afar and a friend told me the other day that someone has taken up renovations…That makes me very happy. I would love to have access for pictures. Would you happen to have contact info?
Thanks,
Amy
Hi Everyone,
I just passed by this today (April 2011) and saw that it looks like there was a fire in this still abandoned church. Can anyone confirm if the restoration project is still going forward? Sadly, it appears to be in a part of Cincinnati that is all but abandoned!
Does anyone know what happened to the birth, death and marriage records for this church?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-BK_pw7l7Q
The story of devastation of First German Reformed Church should be a lesson-learned from everybody. History defines us but over the years, historical places like this was ignored and not taken care of. In effect, we lost the identity. It's nice to hear tha Windows and doors of the church were secured, and roof repairs were started. Looking forward for a far better renovation.
Often times buildings that date back into the late 1800's like this are usually updated and reinforced to help preserve the building in it's natural state. However, this particular church seems to have been neglected for some time. It's good to see the new owners who took it over in 2011 made the repairs necessary to keep the church standing and in stable condition.