NORTH OLMSTED, Ohio -- The year-long 100th anniversary celebration of Clague Road United Church of Christ includes a special worship service and ceremony Sunday (Oct. 16) in North Olmsted.
“There’s been a lot of excitement, and the congregation has certainly been involved in gearing up for Sunday,” said North Olmsted resident Betty Lord, one of the congregants organizing the centennial celebration.
“We have reservations for about 100 for the afternoon luncheon, and then there will be a few presentations. It won’t be a long program.”
The special event begins with a 10:30 a.m. worship service, followed by a luncheon attended by former members, city officials, United Church of Christ officials, local ministers, past employees, friends and neighbors.
Guests are encouraged to visit the church’s Centennial Room, where pictures, a timeline, historic documents and a newly written history will be available.
“We feel it’s important for people to look through things,” Lord said. “We’ve got old documents, old annual reports and those kinds of things that tell the story of the church.”
Clague Road United Church of Christ is located at 3650 Clague Road in North Olmsted. (John Benson/cleveland.com)
Clague Road United Church of Christ is the second oldest church in North Olmsted. However, Lord pointed out that it’s actually the oldest church still located at its original location.
“People are amazed when I tell them that we’re 100 years old,” Lord said.
Previously, Clague Road United Church of Christ had close to 500 members; however, that figure recently dropped to around 100 congregants.
As for whether the church is ready for another century of service, Lord said: “Definitely, yeah. That’s what we’re hoping for.
“I laughingly say to people, ‘I want you to enjoy it now, because I won’t be here for the 200th -- but somebody will be.’”
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