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St. John’s meets criteria to be listed as historic
By LINDA M. LINONIS
youngstown
The Ohio Historic Site Preservation Advisory Board unanimously decided that St. John’s Episcopal Church met the demanding criteria for listing on the National Register of Historic Places.
The board recommended that Burt Logan, Ohio’s state historic preservation officer, forward the nomination to the keeper of the National Register of Historic Places, an official with the National Park Service.
The Rev. Dr. Bradley Pace, rector, and Rebecca Rogers, a church member and architectural/landscape historian, traveled to Columbus on Friday for the advisory board’s meeting. They said the forwarding of the nomination is mostly a formalilty.
The historic church (www.stjohnohio.org) was founded in 1859, and the structure at its present location, 323 Wick Ave., was built in the late 1890s. It is earmarked to join more than 80,000 properties listed in the National Register.
“Our information was well-documented,” said the Rev. Dr. Pace, crediting Rogers with the research.
“This is a point of pride for the congregation and the city,” Dr. Pace said.
Rogers said she believed the church had the qualifications to be named to the National Register. She began the process of amassing documentation a year ago.
Rogers is no stranger to the labor- intensive nomination process that includes gathering information on the site including the history, map, photos and detailed description of the property and distinctive elements. She worked on the Mill Creek Park Historic District National Register nomination.
Rogers, a 35-year member of St. John’s, said the church is an example of the “Arts and Crafts” style, reflecting the “handmade look.” She said the “rough hewn” limestone interior of the church is an example of this style.
Rogers said William Halsey Wood, a prominent architect of the time, designed many churches including St. John’s, using the Arts and Crafts style that evoked a medieval character.
Stained-glass windows by Tiffany Studio in New York and Charles J. Connick Studio in Boston also highlight the church.
Rogers said she felt one of the most important is Tiffany’s “Christ in Glory” on the west side of the church.
“I was delighted to do my part,” Rogers said of her input. “St. John’s is important to the history of the city and region.”
The National Register’s website lists 69 sites in Mahoning County including Butler Institute of American Art, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Rayen School and Stambaugh Auditorium.
In Trumbull County, 34 sites are listed including the Barnhisel House, McKinley Memorial and Warren Commercial Historic District.
Columbiana County has 44 sites including East Liverpool Pottery, Lisbon Historic District and Teegarden Centennial Covered Bridge.