History of the Church of the Covenant

The Church of the Covenant was formed by the merger of three congregations. The Euclid Street Presbyterian Church (organized in 1853) merged with Beckwith Memorial Presbyterian Church (organized in 1885) and became the Euclid Avenue Presbyterian Church in 1906. In 1920, Second Presbyterian Church (organized in 1844) joined the Euclid Avenue Presbyterian Church and the name was changed to the Church of the Covenant (See The Encyclopedia of Cleveland History).

Covenant's carillon tower was named in honor of Alexander McGaffin.

James D. Williamson, the pastor of Beckwith Memorial Church and president of the society of the Euclid Avenue Presbyterian Church, became president of the society of the Church of the Covenant. Paul F. Sutphen of Second Presbyterian Church and Alexander McGaffin of the Euclid Avenue Presbyterian Church served as associate pastors of Covenant until Philip Smead Bird was installed as the first minister of the combined congregations in 1928.

Philip Smead Bird (1886-1948) firmly united the two congregations which, though they had merged eight years earlier, still thought of themselves as members of "Second" or "Euclid". He met the challenges of economic depression and world war, built bridges to the neighboring institutions of University Circle, and took high-profile roles in interdenominational activities and as a champion of international peace. More than any other person, perhaps, he set the direction for today's Church of the Covenant with his emphasis on vibrant worship, community outreach, and strong support for mission.

Panels of the reredos depict the Nativity, the Last Supper, and scenes from the Hebrew Scriptures and Christian Testament.

Among Bird's first initiatives, begun in 1929, was to remodel the Williamson Chancel and to construct Christ Chapel in the east transept of the church. The redesigned chancel features a handsome reredos of carved Philippine mahogany and English limewood.

During Harry Bertrand Taylor's (1908-2004) pastorate from 1949 to 1966, the Church of the Covenant moved to be more inclusive, admitting women as elders and opening its doors to the first black members. During the 1950's amid a surge of interest in religion nationally, the Covenant enjoyed a decade of steady growth. It then faced not only declining membership but also dramatic sociological changes in its East Side neighborhood.

Albert LaDue Jeandheur (1929-) was pastor of the Church of the Covenant from 1967 to 1988. He introduced creative new forms of worship and increased the Covenant's involvement with social and human-rights issues. During Jeandheur's pastorate, a new education-community building was constructed, which gave Covenant a more efficient facility for Christian education and a new opportunity to reach out to the community. The building is used for regular church activities and community groups.

While pastor from 1989 to 2003, James F. Dowd (1938-) broadened Covenant's membership, diversified the pastoral and office staff, and rededicated the church to its social ministries. He also reemphasized the church's mission as a "family of faith" by expanding opportunities for fellowship among the Covenant's widely dispersed congregation. During Dowd's pastorate, the church building was made handicapped-accessible.

As we enter the twenty-first century, we are challenged to assure that the Church of the Covenant successfully continues the tradition that has been evident over the last 150-plus years.

Sources:

Carol Poh Miller. Church with a Conscience: A History of Cleveland's Church of the Covenant 1844-1995. Cleveland: The Church of the Covenant, 1995.

The Covenant Tradition, in the 1994-1995 Anniversary Year Directory.