Welsh Congregational Church Renovation Project

Youngstown CityScape is undertaking one of its most ambitious (and coolest) projects to date and needs your help!

We are seeking to relocate and renovate the Welsh Congregational Church on Elm Street (think: small, wooden church next to Saint Columba Cathederal).

At 157 years of age, the church is the OLDEST in the city of Youngstown. It's new home will be Wick Park where, once renovated, it will be converted into an events center for the community to use and enjoy (ex. weddings, arts/culture events, lectures, community meetings, etc).

July 2018: Campaign Kickoff

August 2018: Church Moving Event

Fall 2018 - Completion: Renovation Work Begins

During the middle and late 1800s, Youngstown began to develop as an industrial powerhouse, and its population expanded with the arrival of thousands of western European immigrants. The largest ethnic group was Welsh, many of whom came to work in coal mines at Brier Hill.

Welsh Congregational Church was founded in 1845, but significant growth prompted the members to construct a new building at its current location on Elm Street in 1861. Major reconstruction was performed on the building in 1887, however, few other alterations were made over the next century.

The church was sold to another congregation in 1976 and it served as a place of worship until a fire in 1997 permanently closed the structure. In 1986, the church was listed on the National Register of Historic Places, qualifying both because of its historically significant architecture and because of its place in community history.

In 1990, Youngstown State was commissioned to conduct a renovation study. They estimated renovation costs at $158,220.00, mostly for structural work. In 2006, a coalition of local community members attempted to raise funds to renovate the structure. Some work was completed to the basement, however, a disagreement by the owners about end use of the church prevented the project from moving forward.

In 2015, the church was purchased by the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown for purposes of clearing the land to make way for additional parking and other improvements. Not wanting to demolish the structure but not possessing the funds to relocated and renovate it, the Diocese sought community partners who might be interested and able to do so. This led to a discussion with CityScape.

In 2017, CityScape convened a site visit and meeting with the diocese, mayor, architects and others to assess the feasibility of the project. It was determined that relocation of the church to Wick Park would be ideal given the park’s strong community identification and usage, location in a historic district, recent investments, and proximity to nearby Stambaugh Auditorium, YSU and other institutions which could utilize it for various events.

CityScape began an exploration of the costs associated with moving and securing the structure as well as identifying potential funders. These items were successfully negotiated and a tentative plan for relocation was developed so that it could be presented to the CityScape board for further discussion.

At 157 years of age, the church remains the oldest in the city of Youngstown. Its relocation to Wick Park (and subsequent renovation) would provide the organization with a unique opportunity for a truly legacy project in relation its mission of historic preservation.

Should CityScape choose not to move forward with this project, the church will most certainly be demolished and its history will be relegated to a local landfill as has been the case will so many important structures in the city.

This project will not be a small or easy one but, if successful, could be a major addition to Wick Park and a valuable assest to the community.