2025

Westfield Universalist Church

Westfield Center, Ohio

On the Square (Park Circle), Westfield Center, Ohio

Years ago, when living nearby I would off and on pass by the Westfield Center Universalist Church. However, other than appreciating the architecture, I never took much note of it. Now that I am back in Ohio doing a photo essay got added to the bucket-list. Recently, through the generosity of the Westfield Center Historical Society, who now own the building, I was able to take a few photos of the sanctuary, which remains largely unchanged.

The church, built between 1848-49, was used as a house of worship (UUA) until 2020 when it was donated to the Westfield Center Historical Society, sadly less than a year after her 150th year (1). Some recent accounts of the church claim that it is Ohio’s first or second oldest Universalist Church. While it is certainly not anywhere near being Ohio’s first Universalist congregations, it is among oldest of extent Ohio Universalist Churches.

Christian Universalists settlers were part of the late 1700s – early 1800s migration, mostly from Connecticut, in to the Connecticut Western Reserve and the Firelands (2). By the mid-1820s the Universalists, mostly farmers began arriving in the area then known as LeRoy. By 1830 (3), ninety local farmers organized as the First Free Church in Westfield, cooperating with the Baptist in a union meeting hall, both congregations served by itinerant ministers. The first recorded circuit minister to preach at Westfield was Rev. Jonathan Tracy in 1833. By 1847 the congregation had raised enough funds to construct their own church, paying $60.00 to purchase land facing the Westfield Square. The church was constructed between 1848-1849 and dedicated on June 16, 1849 and the first settled minister, Rev. Abbie Danforth, was called. Although not uncommon to have a female minister in a Universalist Church, Rev. Danforth’s appointment caused quite a stir in the area.

In 1854 a division, reason unrecorded, arose between members, but few left the church. The same year congregation was “(re?) fellowshipped” by the Western Reserve Association of the Christian Universalist Church. On November 29, 1978 the church was added to the Register of Historical Places. “



Architectural Detail:

Greek Revival Style – Retains its original symmetry, and elements (pilasters, belfry). The actual building is weatherboard over stucco consisting of a gabled structure with a partial pediment capped with a reticular tower. Each side of the trabeated* entryway features double windows. The roof is steep pyramidal style roof. The side addition was constructed in the late 19th c. Although the architecture of the addition is Stick Style it fits well with the older edifice.

The bell town still contains her original bell, which is still tolled for special events on the square. The 30-inch diameter bell was cast in Sheffield, England by the Naylor Vickers Company ca. 1860.

* "Trabeated" describes a architectural style that uses string horizontal beams/lintels supported by strong vertical columns.

ca. 1848

This photo is a bit of a mystery. The caption added by the Westfield Historical Society reads, “North on Circle 1845 + Methodist Church on left was torn down to build the brick church. Town Hall behind Universalist Church now (WHS) before the addition was built.” The problem is that the "Methodist" church was the Congregational Church until the Methodist purchased it in 1859. The Universalist Church was not built until 1848-49. The dating has to be after that time. Both churches still stands, pretty much as in this photo. The name of the boy is not known. I am still trying to figure out the brick church reference.

Sanctuary

The interior has little changed over the years. The most significant change is the closing of the balcony many years ago. The pews, railings, lecture, altar were donated by members of the church during her early years. Currently, although preserved the sanctuary is being used as a display setting for Westfield history.

N. LeRoy Street Sideview

At one time the church had stained-glass windows. The story is, perhaps apocryphal, that a female member hated the stained-glass windows so much she paid to have them all removed. Whatever the truth of the story it is said that some of the became part of a chicken house on a local farm.

Stained Glass Window Panels

These two panels are in the fellowship hall. They were rescued from the general store when it closed. While of unproven provenance, some claim that they are two of the original panels form the church.

1950s era Post Card

Although the Ohio Christian Universalist Convention recorded the church as “Westfield Universalist” from the beginning, and later Westfield Center, the Village did not change its name to “Westfield Center” until 1971. The two identities may have contributed to confusion in dating the establishment of the church, as there was another Village of LeRoy with a Universalist congregation.



Notes:

1. One of the two keynote speakers for the anniversary celebration was the Rev. Justin Lapoin of Outlaw Bridge, N.C., then editor of the Universalist Herald magazine.
2. The Connecticut Western Reserve was a portion of land (in what is now northern Ohio) claimed by the Colony of Connecticut and later by the state of Connecticut. The Firelands is a portion of that land set aside by the Connecticut legislature in 1792 to compensate citizens whose towns had been burned by British forces during the American Revolutionary War.
3. Ohio Christian Universalist Convention records record the organization of the church as 1830, while local records say 1839.

References:

1. Westfield Center Historical Society
2. Robinson, Elmo Arnold, The Universalist Church in Ohio, Ohio Universalist Convention (1923).
3. Former member accounts

[Image Date: 10.25.25]

[Church history may be updated as new information comes to light.]