St. John’s Episcopal Church, "Station Hope"
St. John’s began as a small service known as the “Trinity of Brooklyn Township,” until it separated into two sides, “Trinity on the East”, and “St. John's in the West”. The church was designed by Hezekiah Edridge between 1836 and 1838 and its aesthetics and location were indicative of Ohio’s prosperity at the time. Their congregation at the time consisted of very prominent politicians and industrialists. Very soon after construction, the church became a prominent stop in the Ohio Underground Railroad. Due to its location near Lake Erie, the bell tower in the church was used as a lookout tower for boats coming in from Canada to take fugitives from slavery to their freedom. Due to the church’s role aiding the enslaved, it came to be known as “Station Hope.” There have been rumors swirling that the basement was used to house fugitives from slavery; however, no evidence has been found to support this. St. John’s, as well as Ohio City and the Tremont neighborhood in Cleveland surrounding the church, has had a very rich history in fighting against any system that dehumanize underrepresented people in the United States.
Churches throughout recent history have changed dramatically in the way that people treat each other, especially in the realm of non-whites and women. Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, churches, particularly in North Eastern states, have gone through what are known as “great awakenings.” These periods were dubbed “awakenings” due to the vast changes in structure and thought, such as the act of smaller churches separating from mainstream hierarchical churches and directing their focus on themselves and the spirit of their own lives. Churches began helping the poor and even fugitives from slavery by helping them to achieve their dignity and freedom. Many churches, Episcopalians included, began reaching out to the marginalized and fought against the prejudices and unjust system of the time.
Ohio was one of the most prominent states involved with the Underground Railroad with around 3000 miles of routes used for self-emancipated people from slavery. This was in part due to the fact that Ohio is flanked by Virginia and Kentucky, two prominent slave states. This coupled with the fact that Ohio is the closest state with the most direct route to Canada through Lake Erie, which allowed Ohio to became a mecca for fugitives from slavery and abolitionists on the Underground Railroad.
Although St. John’s played an invaluable role in the protection of the fugitives during the 19th century, it was not this church alone that takes all of the credit. Churches throughout the state of Ohio, more specifically the greater Cleveland area, worked together to provide a sturdy foundation for the cause. According to Rev. Bill Merriman, the churches, aside from providing palpable hiding spots, merely inspired the heroic actions taken by individuals and their families for aiding the enslaved in the latter's quest for freedom. Citizens worked together to accommodate the enslaved in their attics, barns, and even coal sheds. The primary role of the churches as a whole was to provide the much needed leadership, often times with the support of politicians, to help coordinate and delegate the matters at hand.
The influence and leadership of the church helped legitimize the work done by the individuals, while providing a communal collective for its purpose. During our interview with Reverend Bill, he told a story or rather a local legend, that expressed just how involved people in this neighborhood became as a result of the church’s fight for freedom: an unnamed enslaved man, while venturing across Lake Erie from the Westside of Cleveland to Canada, was shipwrecked by a powerful storm. Fortunately enough, this man survived the capsizing wreck and washed up ashore. The man ironically fell right into the hands of bounty hunters who then attempted to take him right back to the confines of which he escaped from. While journeying south through Ohio, the bounty hunters and their prize were spotted by a group of abolitionists. As they ventured through the forests of a small town, which is now modern day Independence, the civilians ambushed them. According to Rev. Bill, the good village people did “beat the shit out of the bounty hunters, and got this guy in another boat. That’s how involved people were." Although this is merely one story amongst countless others, this particular legend demonstrated the impact that the network of churches had on the people and their missions to help in any way possible.
Along with the prominent role during the time of slavery, churches have continued to work hard for the better awareness of underprivileged groups throughout their communities. In particular, the St. John’s Episcopal Church has greatly influenced the growth and stabilization of the Cleveland neighborhood known as Ohio City. St. John’s began a free meals program for underprivileged families in 1969 and this still continues to this day through various other churches including St. Patrick’s, St. Coleman’s, and St. Malachi’s. St. John’s has worked hard for the rights and health of minority groups such the Native Americans through programs that aided in sobriety and alcohol awareness. The influence of the church has also inspired the community outreach in the assistance of national crises; most recently in response to the hurricanes that have devastated Puerto Rico in 2017. Food and supplies have been gathered and sent to the people in need, thus further proving the impact St. John’s has had on the surrounding community.
Churches in the history of the United States have proved to be valuable in many aspects of everyday life. Cleveland is home to a wide variety of churches and they have demonstrated the extensive impact that they have on their communities. The St. John’s Episcopal Church in particular has exhibited positive outreach since its date of construction back in the 19th century. From aiding in the effort to emancipate the enslaved to its efforts here in the 21st century, St. John’s has provided the Cleveland area with exceptional influence and its impact will be noted for years to come.
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Created by Robert Bowles, Mitchell Coe, Matthew Corrigan, Matthew Hogrefe, Connor Hosier, and Jeromy Nget
Dec. 2017
If you want to quote this page,
[MLA]
Corrigan, Matthew, et al. "St. John's Episcopal Church, 'Station Hope'." Quilting African American Experiences In Northeast Ohio, http://scalar.usc.edu/works/quilting-african-american-experiences-in-northeast-ohio/st-johns-episcopal-church-and-underground-railroad. Accessed date month year.
