Art & History

Titled “Benevolence,” this window was installed in 1885 in memory of Amasa Stone (1818-1883). Amasa Stone abundantly donated his services and his money to Old Stone and to Cleveland. The window was designed by John LaFarge and was a gift of the Stone family. In 2000, the window was restored by Conrad Schmitt Studios.

Interesting trivia: Amasa Stone’s niece, Emma Raymond, was the first woman to be elected Elder at Old Stone when the Presbyterian Church permitted women to be ordained to that office. She came to live with Amasa Stone when she was orphaned at the age of 14. She was very close to Flora Stone Mather, daughter of Amasa Stone.

“The Recording Angel,” is a memorial to Samuel Williamson Jr. (1808-1884) and the gift of the Williamson family. It was designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany and installed in 1885. Many generations of the Williamson family were active at Old Stone. Samuel Williamson was one of the founders. Samuel Williamson Jr., a lawyer, was a partner of Leonard Case Sr. and, at the time of his death, president of Society for Savings. His son, Samuel E. Williamson, was the main mover to retain the Church on Public Square after the fire of 1884.

The Clark Memorial Window was given by Mrs. Washington Tyler in memory of her parents, James F. Clark (1809-1884) and Eliza A. Clark (1815-1894). The subject is “Christ Blessing Little Children: The Memory of the Just Is Blessed.” It was designed by J. and R. Lamb and installed in 1920. The Clarks lived in a mansion on Euclid Avenue and made many donations to Old Stone. Mrs. Clark gave the baptismal font and also left the first large gift of endowment ($75,000) to the church.

“Beside the Still Water” was given in 1915 in memory of Samuel A. Raymond by his family. It was designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany. The subject was taken from the Twenty-third Psalm, a favorite of the family. In the Church’s 1916 yearbook, Pastor Livingston Fewsmith wrote that the window “as a work of art is perfect” and that it “quiets our hearts as we gaze upon it.”

The Hall Memorial Window was installed by the Tiffany Studio in January 1930.  It was given in memory of Jennie Lyon Hall (1855-1915) and Lucien B. Hall (1848-1925) by their daughter, Mrs. George S. Case.  "The Sower" remembers Mr. and Mrs, Hall in a fitting manner, Mr. Hall served for twenty-six years as elder and trustee during the pastorate of Dr. Hiram C. Haydn, and Dr, Andrew B. Meldrum.  Mrs. Hall served as treasurer of the Frances Goodrich Society and the Women's Society.  She was a member of the Sisters-in-Charge and gave help whenever needed.

The Cogswell Memorial Window was installed by the Tiffany Studios in November, 1930.  The signature of Louis Comfort Tiffany can be seen in the lower right hand corner.  "The Resurrection" is a loving tribute to James H. Cogswell (1849-1925) from his wife, Elizabeth Cogswell.  James Huntington Cogswell had been a loyal and devoted member of Old Stone Church for more than fifty years.

Installed in 1977, Old Stone Church's unique organ was built by Cleveland’s world-famous Holtkamp Organ Company. The instrument employs mechanical action and has three manuals, 42 stops, and two enclosed divisions. The ornate original casework built around the organ dates back to an 1895 instrument built by William A. Johnson.

In recent years, the organ has undergone professional restoration. It is used during each service at Old Stone Church. 

In 2018, Old Stone Church was selected by Community West Foundation to became the home for When I was Hungry & Thirsty; a sculpture by artist Timothy Schmalz, as part of his Matthew: 25 collection, which features six sculptures, installed throughout the city. 

This sculpture is prominently displayed in front of the stairs leading into our sanctuary, bringing to light our work in providing those who need a helping hand the assistance they need.  

To learn more about Community West Foundation's involvement in the Matthew: 25 collection click here. 

Cast and raised to the belfry of Old Stone Church in 1865, this bell rang during the Thanksgiving celebration service at the end of the Civil War. 

It tolled at the time that President Lincoln's cortege stopped at Public Square for a memorial service. 

The bell was removed form the belfry in 1982 and on October 8, 1989 was presented to the City of Cleveland as a gift from Old Stone Church to be a lasting memorial in the history of Cleveland's Public Square. 

The Baptismal font, located in our Sanctuary was presented to Old Stone Church by Eliza A. Clark in 1885.

It is still used today.

The pew was in use in 1865 when President Abraham Lincoln was mourned on Public Square while en route to be buried in Springfield, Illinois. 

Lincoln's pew was the only pew in the sanctuary that withstood destruction during the fire of 1884.

Contrary to legend, Lincoln's family did not sit on the pew mourning!

Griffiths Chapel, the gift of Margaret Rusk Griffiths, was dedicated as part of the new Parish House in 1961. The chapel was a memorial to her husband, Edward S. Griffiths. 

From 1966 to 1983, the chapel served as the worship center for the Cleveland Chinese Christian Church. 

Currently the chapel serves a variety of purposes, from small weddings to special events. The chapel features a beautiful stained-glass window based on Psalm 148. 

In 1997 a columbarium was constructed to serve as the final resting place for members of Old Stone Church who desire to dwell in the House of the Lord forever.