First Congregational Church, Toledo

First Congregational Church dates back to 1833, making it the earliest congregation formed within the city’s original limits. In its early years, the congregation met in a series of three chapels until 1913, when it merged with Central Congregational Church. The current building on Collingwood Boulevard was dedicated in 1916, and it retained pews and eight stained-glass windows from its 1878 predecessor.

The church’s design includes a parish house completed in 1931, notable for its cornerstone sourced from Scrooby, England, a site historically linked with the Pilgrims. Inside, visitors will find examples of stained glass crafted by artists such as Louis Comfort Tiffany, Louis Lederle, and Payne-Speers.

First Congregational Church also occupies a visible place within Toledo’s Old West End, a district characterised by late-Victorian and Edwardian architecture. This location places the church among a range of historic homes and buildings.