A Church of Extravagant Welcome
Welcome to Old South Church, United Church of Christ.
Welcome to believers, to questioners, and to questioning believers. We gather in the hope of creating a safe space where you are free to risk being your authentic self. No matter how you identify or express your race, gender, or sexuality, you are welcome here. For this is God’s house, and God welcomes all ages, colors, cultures, gifts, and abilities.
Your presence here is a gift that challenges us to open our doors as wide as God’s welcome. No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcomed here by the God who made you and loves you just the way you are, and loves you enough to challenge you to keep growing toward that person God made you to be. That together we may choose love and seek justice for all.
Our History
When four men and six women gathered to confess their faith at then South Kirtland Congregational Church on September 5, 1819, the village of Kirtland was 8 years old. All ten had been members of Congregational churches in Connecticut or Massachusetts and were descendants of the first Congregationalists - the Pilgrims and the Puritans.
These original members were staunch believers in God who looked forward to an unknown future. Their faith was built on a rock of faith. (As the hymn proclaims: "Built on the rock, the Church doth stand.")
As Old South United Church of Christ, we continue to build on that rock of faith, embracing the uncharted path that lies before us in serving members in 24 cities and townships in Lake, Geauga, Cuyahoga and Ashtabula counties. In addition, residents in 14 other communities throughout the United States attend and/or support Old South Church.