More Similarities than Differences
One of the best things about promoting my books at craft fairs and summer markets is having the opportunity to meet new people and talk about churches and the faith-based greater church community in Ashtabula County. There’s no better “ice-breaker” than having someone find an old picture in the “Historic Churches of Ashtabula County” book of the church they grew up in. Sometimes, they even recognize a family member or a fellow Sunday school student.
Our county’s churches are so diverse. There are simple, country churches like the United Methodist church in Cherry Valley and elegant churches with beautiful architectural details like First Presbyterian Church in Ashtabula and First Congregational UCC in Conneaut (with its abundant marble and stained-glass windows by Tiffany Studios).
Most have fascinating stories about the people who have served and attended there. Several had ties to the Underground Railroad in the pre-Civil War days. Others, such as United Church of Christ in Austinburg, were early supporters of women’s suffrage.
Of course, not all historic churches have survived. However, Ashtabula County has a fascinating collection of repurposed churches, such as Formality Bridal shop in Geneva (the former Geneva Baptist Church and the first home of St. John’s Lutheran Church) and Heavenly Creamery in Conneaut (the former Grace Lutheran Church).
If you’re curious about the churches in Ashtabula County, please join us for the second annual Historic Churches of Ashtabula County tour August 30, 2025. Seventeen churches (so far) have signed up to open their doors between 10am and 4pm and welcome the public with tours, refreshments, music and more. You can visit one church or several. It’s your choice. Our county is too big to be able to visit them all in six hours. (My husband tried it last year.) The tour is free and you’ll get a souvenir program with a little history of all of the participating churches at your first stop.
We may all go to different churches, or maybe you have yet to find your “church home”; however, we have many more similarities than differences!