The use of stone has been prevalent for houses of worship in Northeastern Ohio. As one can see while traveling though the area, or while perusing the pages of Armstrong, Klein, and Armstrong's 1992 Guide to Cleveland's Sacred Landmarks, the majority of the architecturally significant churches in the region are constructed with stone. These sacred structures contrast strongly in composition, as well as height and mass, with the surrounding houses, which are usually constructed of wood. This pattern is not unlike that of ancient Greece or of medieval Europe.

These great stone structures stand as important landmarks and anchors of neighborhoods today. They also serve as vivid reminders of what the people who built these structures found important. These stone churches and temples are also among the most beautiful structures found in the urban setting. As such, they provide inspiration to those who live around them, whether or not they belong to the congregations of those churches and temples.

Of course, wood and brick also have a strong tradition. Wood has traditionally been used for various Protestant denominations in the United States and brick has been the preferred material for churches in Poland (and for Polish churches in Cleveland) since Gothic times. Overall, however, stone has been the preferred material; other materials have been used when economics dictated the use of less expensive materials.

The importance of sacred structures in the urban environment and their impact on neighborhoods and individuals is perhaps most apparent when one of these stone structures is threatened with demolition. The threatened razing of Cleveland's Fifth Church of Christ Scientist has met with much opposition in the past few years (Stainer, 1992; Litt, 1995). (As of late 1999, the church was empty and damaged in part, but still standing.)

Although there is a fair body of literature on stone used for houses of worship in Northeastern Ohio, much of this information is scattered. Specifications and architectural drawings are often lost or do not provide adequate information on stone used. The plans for Cleveland's East Mount Zion Baptist Church, for example, simply note "stone" where a quite distinctive green serpentinite was used for the church. The plans do not provide any clue as to the provenance of this stone. Also, oral traditions regarding the origin of various stone (and there are many of these) may or may not be correct.

The purpose of this guide is to serve as an introduction and field guide to the stone used for Northeastern Ohio's sacred landmarks. Both exterior and interior stones are described. Locations are given so that visitors can find various interior features. Finally, interesting facts having to do with the stones are given in a remarks section and references to sources used in compiling this information are noted.

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