Abandoned Cleveland: Fifth Church Of Christ Scientist

January 28, 2013

I’ve driven by this building thousands of times in my three years in Cleveland. I always thought it was beautiful. I consider it a shame that it remains empty.

The Fifth Christian Science Church served it’s congregation from 1926 (when the building was built) until 1989 when the congregants moved to Rocky River. In 1991, the building was set for demolition before neighborhood activists stepped in to prevent it’s razing. In 1995, Riser Foods, the then owners of the building stripped the building down, removing asbestos and almost all of the building’s 1920′s wood work. In 2002, the building was given to the City Of Cleveland.

There has been much talk of the old landmark in recent months as the strip mall next door, home to Geppetos-Johnny Malloy’s was demolished to make way for a new shopping center called, The Shoppes At Clifton. As I drive by each day I see bulldozers working on the site, and I fear that one morning I will drive by and see the building in ruins, although no official demolition plans have been announced. On January 20th I shot the exterior of the building for posterity, in case the wrecking ball did indeed come.

A few days later I was contacted by a local artist who had arranged, through Cleveland City Council, for several community members to tour the structure and meet with the architect in charge of the new development. He invited me to tag along and shoot the structure on what could be my last chance to see the inside before the structure is razed in the name of progress.

I excitedly accepted and arrived at the scheduled time on Saturday. I was absolutely blown away by what I saw. I have always been in favor of this building being re-developed into a performance/community space, after taking an educated look at the inside of this once grand structure, I understand both the call for it’s demolition, and the activism to save it. It is a complex issue with a lot of expensive propositions on either side.

The one bright spot for this landmark on the Cleveland/Lakewood border is that, if the building ends up being demolished, the archway at the main entrance, which faces the intersection of W 117th and Lake Ave, would, according to the sites architect, likely be preserved. His plan is to see it disassembled and used as an entrance way on the north end of the new site. A classy move indeed.

I was shocked at the condition of the church, and captured the decay for all to see. I find beauty in decay, in stillness, in rot, in what is left behind when mankind moves on and I hope you will find beauty in these photos too. Enjoy.

UPDATE 1/28/13: It was brought to my attention this afternoon that my photos were promoted (and complimented) on Cleveland Scene Magazine’s website! Check that article out here!

Disclaimer: These photographs are in no way affiliated with the architects on the new site, or the fight to save the old building. The opinions contained herein are mine and mine alone and do not reflect the opinions of any other person or organization.

1/26/13: A private tour of the abandoned Fifth Church of Christ Scientist at W. 117th and Lake Ave. (Photo: Christopher J. Beale – Chris-tography CLE)

1/20/13: The abandoned Fifth Church of Christ Scientist at W. 117th and Lake Ave. (Photo: Christopher J. Beale – Chris-tography CLE)

1/26/13: A private tour of the abandoned Fifth Church of Christ Scientist at W. 117th and Lake Ave. (Photo: Christopher J. Beale – Chris-tography CLE)

1/20/13: The abandoned Fifth Church of Christ Scientist at W. 117th and Lake Ave. (Photo: Christopher J. Beale – Chris-tography CLE)

1/26/13: A private tour of the abandoned Fifth Church of Christ Scientist at W. 117th and Lake Ave. (Photo: Christopher J. Beale – Chris-tography CLE)

1/20/13: The abandoned Fifth Church of Christ Scientist at W. 117th and Lake Ave. (Photo: Christopher J. Beale – Chris-tography CLE)

1/26/13: A private tour of the abandoned Fifth Church of Christ Scientist at W. 117th and Lake Ave. (Photo: Christopher J. Beale – Chris-tography CLE)

1/20/13: The abandoned Fifth Church of Christ Scientist at W. 117th and Lake Ave. (Photo: Christopher J. Beale – Chris-tography CLE)

1/26/13: A private tour of the abandoned Fifth Church of Christ Scientist at W. 117th and Lake Ave. (Photo: Christopher J. Beale – Chris-tography CLE)

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Category : Photo Shoots

Tags : 2013, Abandoned, Architecture, Chris-tography, Christopher Beale, Cleveland, Fifth Church Of Christ Scientist, Lakewood, Ohio, Photo, Photographs

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9 thoughts on “Abandoned Cleveland: Fifth Church Of Christ Scientist”

Timothy Johnson on February 27, 2013 at 11:08 AM said:

Please sign the petition for a Town Hall meeting prior to any action that would lead to the demolition of this amazing building. https://www.change.org/petitions/councilman-jay-westbrook-cudell-improvement-director-anita-brindza-requesting-a-town-hall-meeting-prior-to-the-sale-or-demolition-of-fifth-church?utm_campaign=mailto_link&utm_medium=email&utm_source=share_petition

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Peter Bruce photo on February 19, 2013 at 9:05 PM said:

so F——–g sad that cleveland would let this go WHY Architecture is a converstaion of the generations and to let this go will be sad and once gone never to return …. come Cleve pick up the ball.

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TJ on February 8, 2013 at 4:46 PM said:

Maybe you could post your Pictures on Facebooks/Growing up on the Westside Site/Page. I am sure many Old West Siders would love to see these Pictures. Thanks for Sharing.

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Matthew Katz on February 8, 2013 at 1:19 PM said:

Very cool shots! So many people I know are curious about this building. In the case that the majority of this building were to be razed do you know who to contact to try and salvage some of the architectural details or even the stone masonry? Please shoot me an email

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J. Hoffer on February 7, 2013 at 10:24 PM said:

Absolutely stunning. I see a book in the making. But why not turn the building into condos?? Suggest to the architects that they go down to Annapolis, Maryland, and look at the church on Prince Street where they did just that.

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mike on January 28, 2013 at 11:41 PM said:

That’s so cool. I’ve wanted to get inside that place for years. Is there a basement or anything?…secret rooms?

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- Chris on January 29, 2013 at 11:14 AM said:
  
  There is a basement, but we just stayed on the main level due to lack of electricity.
  
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sethsnap on January 28, 2013 at 3:44 PM said:

Wow great job.

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- Chris on January 28, 2013 at 3:44 PM said:
  
  Thank you! It was an honor to get to shoot there.
  
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