HISTORICAL LOOKING GLASS

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

The original Elyria First Baptist Church was a Greek Revival style structure built on the southeast corner of Middle Avenue (known at the time as Cheapside) and Second Street in 1838-39 on land donated by Elyria's founder, Heman Ely, Sr. In 1883, this church was replaced by the second First Baptist Church, a large building designed in the Gothic style of architecture which is the one featured in the Looking Glass. It cost $22,000 to construct this building in 1883 which is roughly equivalent to $1,000,000 in 2025. The building was dedicated on May 14, 1884 and the congregation used the building until 1950 when it moved to its Washington Avenue location still in use today. The Washington Avenue building is still in use today, but it is not the same congregation. That congregation has since moved to LaGrange Road location.  To the right of this church stood the six-story Elyria Masonic Temple, built 1905-06, but destroyed by fire in 1956. This is now the site of the Lorain County Administration Building.

When the Baptist congregation moved to Washington Avenue the old building was in a state of disrepair and was sold to the Northern Savings & Loan Company, which demolished the church and built a bank on this land by 1953. This building itself underwent a number of changes and had several additions over the years to become the building there today. Northern Savings & Loan underwent a series of name changes until it closed for good in 2021, after purchase by Huntington Bank.

This project would not have been possible without the generous support and collaboration of several key partners.

Dive into the past

These photos are a courtesy of the Lorain County Historical Society, Elyria, OH.

Original First Baptist Church

The first is pictured here and was built in 1838 then subsequently demolished to build the one featured in the Looking Glass in 1883.

Two Interior images of First Baptist Church

Images taken at a 1944 wedding which show some interior detail of First Baptist Church.

Second Build of the First Baptist Church

An Image of First Baptist Church from further west on second street shortly after its construction in 1883.

The Northern Savings & Loan Company Building

An image of the Northern Savings & Loan building which replaced First Baptist Church shortly after its construction in the 1950s.

Special Thanks To:

  • The Lorain County Historical Society for partnering with us and providing the powerful historical imagery that brings this story to life. Learn more about their work at lchs.org.

  • Steven Rice, whose thoughtful curation and guidance helped shape the installation's narrative.

  • The dedicated members of the Elyria Community Partnership Board, who continue to support projects that preserve and celebrate our city's heritage.

  • The City of Elyria Administration, whose partnership ensures our downtown continues to evolve with care and respect for its history.

  • The Historical Looking Glass Project is funded in part by the America 250-Ohio Commission.

This installation invites viewers to pause, reflect, and imagine Elyria through a historical lens—connecting our past to our future.

📍 Stop by the First Baptist site, located at the corner of Second Street and Middle Avenue inside Ely Square, and experience the story for yourself.