A small contingent of Presbyterians that had been meeting for services, probably within their local homes in the New Richmond area, decided to organize a church. On March 11, 1821, they elected a moderator, a clerk and three ruling elders to present to Presbytery authorization to establish themselves as a congregation. With approval in hand on June 15, 1821, the First Presbyterian Church of New Richmond was formed with 23 charter members.
A year later on June 14, 1822, the cornerstone was laid on land donated by Thomas Ashburn at Washington and Union St. Rev. Joshua L. Wilson, of Cincinnati, gave the sermon that day. The original church building served for 34 years. In 1856, the brick church building now on the same site was built. The steeple and bell were added in 1870. After the Great Flood of 1937, the Methodist and Presbyterian churches merged their congregations and the First Presbyterian Church was renamed as Cranston Memorial Presbyterian Church in memory of the Methodist Bishop Earl Cranston on June 6, 1937. Bricks from the flood destroyed Methodist Church were used to build the Fellowship Hall addition.
The church is well known for its abolitionist involvement prior and during the Civil War. Please visit cranstonchurch.org/200-anniversary for more information about the history of the church.
Today, the church is small in number, with an active membership particularly with their outreach work within the community. Our current minister is Rev. David Annett. We would like to invite anyone from the community or surrounding communities to come and experience Cranston as presented any Sunday.
All are welcome to celebrate our 200th anniversary on Sept. 26, 2021. Church service is from 10:45 a.m. to noon. Following the services, there will be a meet and greet along with refreshments and box lunches. The church is located at 200 Union St. New Richmond, Ohio.
If you plan to attend, please RSVP to cranstonchurch.org by Sept. 10.