Front View of Thomas House

Ward-Thomas Museum

Ohio Association of Historical Societies and Museums

Five images of buildings and grounds

South Side Presbyterian Church

Ward — Thomas Museum
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503 Brown Street Niles, Ohio 44446

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Southside Presbyterian Church - Aug. 1, 1976. This is the oldest standing church in Niles, constructed in 1876

Southside Presbyterian Church - Aug. 1, 1976. This is the oldest standing church in Niles, constructed in 1876. PO1.360

South Side Presbyterian Past Century
From the Niles Daily Times 1984 Special edition

The South Side Presbyterian Church was begun more than a hundred years ago by Welsh Presbyterians, who at the time were the principal residents of the city’s south side, known back in the early days as ‘Goat Hill’.

In 1872, a lot was purchased at 104 West Second Street from David and Hannah Prosser and construction began on the building, under the leadership of the Davis Brothers. The church was dedicated in 1876 with the Reverend John Moses as its first pastor.

The Hungarian Presbyterians purchased the Second Street building in 1924 and Reverend Stephen Czepke was its first resident pastor. In the early 1950s the interior of the church was remodeled. The ceiling was lowered to form an arch and the pulpit was also improved.

Also, during the 1950s the church assumed the name of South Side United Presbyterian Church as an American Congregation has served well the community and its members.

More extensive remodeling was done on the church during the 1960s. Three Sunday school rooms were added and a kitchen installed in the basement.

Present pastor of the South Side United Presbyterian Church is Reverend Csaba Orosz.


Dedication of the church bell for the South Side Presbyterian Church.

Dedication of the church bell for the South Side Presbyterian Church.“Albert and Bertha Moritz donated the bell to the church. The Hosack and Clingan families assisted in locating the bell manufacturer.

At this time the sevices were in Hungarian due to the large number of Hungarian families attending the church.

As the couples had children and the children in the picture grew up but were not bi-lingual, two services were offered: one in Hungarian and a second in English”. Pat Wolfe


St. Luke's Episcopal.

St. Luke's Episcopal.
On November 11, 1870, the first Episcopal service was held in Niles by the Rev. Henry L. Badger of Warren and the Rev. Geo. S. Vallandigham of New Lisbon, Ohio. PO1.346

This crude sketch of the building they met in on the southside was made by one of the older members of the church many years ago.

This crude sketch of the building they met in on the southside was made by one of the older members of the church many years ago. It was probably the same building used by the Welsh Presbyterians before they built their church on Second Street. PO1.347

The Southside Presbyterian Church during the 1913 flood.

The Southside Presbyterian Church during the 1913 flood. PO1.1024


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