The cornerstone was laid on July 6th, 1893, on donated land and the church was completed for a total cost of $135,000. The building is an excellent example of the Richardsonian Romanesque style, named for Boston architect Henry Hobson Richardson. The masonry construction is of a brownish red sandstone from Jacobville, Michigan. The original color is still visible under the front portico. The towers have round-arched windows, rose windows, corner buttresses, and pyramidal roofs.

The northeast tower stands at 150 feet and houses one brass bell, cast by McShane Bell Foundry in Baltimore, and repaired in 1998. The central east tower is enclosed without a bell. Large stained-glass windows fill the north and east gables.

Pilgrim Congregational UCC is generally regarded to be the “masterpiece” of architect Sidney R. Badgley (1850-1917), a prolific Cleveland designer of churches. Badgley designed the Epworth Memorial Methodist Church (demolished), the Lincoln Park Methodist Episcopal (now St. George Antiochian Orthodox), Scranton Avenue Baptist, and First United Presbyterian (now St. Timothy Missionary Baptist).

In 1894, the building was dedicated, the first building west of the Cuyahoga River to use electricity (we had our own power plant). True to Victorian fashion, gas piping and gas lights were also installed as back up. You can see examples of this feature in the front entrance chandelier, the balcony stair newel light, the wall sconces, and the Little Theater chandelier. As if to celebrate the exciting arrival of electricity, bare light bulbs once lined each arch and filled the golden rosettes where the arches meet.

The stained-glass dome, designed by Elizabeth Parsons, was originally lit by a skylight, but later was converted to artificial lighting. Four semi-circular arches support the 24′ diameter dome. Flanking the organ are two stained-glass windows (bearing a resemblance to Tiffany Studios but likely produced by another studio), both featuring images of St. Cecilia.

In the 2001 renovation of this beautiful sanctuary, the dome was repaired, re-lit, and the wood trim regilded. The wall sconces were reproduced and replaced, and three more were added to the balcony area. In addition, all general and accent lighting was rewired and improved.

The west wall of the sanctuary features a Farrand-Votey pipe organ, one of only a few still playing in the United States. The instrument is an impressive 40 rank organ with 61 stops and 2,262 pipes in a carved wood case.

In 1992, the pipe organ was restored to capture the original tone, voice, and balance. The façade of the pipes was restored by 60 volunteers who hand stenciled the final design. The Angel Gabriel was regilded and reinstalled to sit at the top of the organ.

A new project is planned to replace the workings of the organ console and refurbish the reed stops.

Pilgrim is also a prime example of the “Akron Plan,” and, according to author Lloyd Ellis in A Guide to Greater Cleveland’s Sacred Landmarks, influenced the building of thousands of American churches in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.” (The Kent State University Press, 2012, p. 202-204). First employed in First Methodist Episcopal Church of Akron in 1866-67, the plan allowed for moveable walls and partitions that allowed for large group devotionals and small group lessons to occur with ease. At Pilgrim, the south sanctuary wall was originally a large operable panel on a pulley system and could be raised allowing for additional seating. With all the walls raised and windows open, the church could seat 1,250. To accommodate such a large crowd, the seating is curved on a ramped floor over two levels enhancing sight lines and acoustics. Likewise, stained glass windows rise in the balcony to reveal a smaller theater.

While sitting in the sanctuary, notice that the elevated chancel area for worship contains original furniture. Observe the architectural echoes in pulpit and communion table design, as well as an emphasis on natural elements and forms that continue throughout the interior design.

In 1995, the chancel was restored with hand-painted paper in its dome, new lower wall coverings, and the original furnishings were reinstalled.

Wainscoting, railings and pews are all made from golden oak. The refurbished main floor and balcony pew cushions are original and are made of mohair stuffed with kapok. The arrangement of the pews has changed several times over the years, and during the past renovation with the installation of new carpeting they were repaired, reassembled and placed more accurately.

All interior surfaces are painted plaster and were originally decorated with hand-stenciled patterns. (Note example behind glass in window cove at rear.) Throughout 2000 and 2001, the walls were repaired and painted with historically compatible color schemes, stenciling, and materials.

Volunteers gathered to hand paint and stencil 478 feet of paper that now covers the main arches. (See Restoration and Renovation for details.) The bosses were regilded and a new floor was installed in the choir loft.

Main Theatre – Coffered with oak beams and glass ceiling panels for natural light, the theatre is ringed by 12 small gallery rooms with risers for seating and operable doors opening onto the theatre and sanctuary.

Little Theatre – The upper theatre connects to the sanctuary with interior pocket windows and displays a large rose window. It still hosts an original electric/gas light fixture.

Lower Hall – In 1994, Pilgrim began the renovation of the lower hall where you will find classrooms, meeting rooms, offices, the kitchen, a parlor, restrooms, and a boiler room. In each outer room, tall exterior windows bring natural light. Interior transom windows continue to spread natural light to the interior halls. Pilgrim’s boiler room contained a steam engine to power a generator for electricity, the moving wall system, and ventilating fans. A hand-fired coal boiler was replaced with natural gas in the 1950s.

Attic – The attic contains huge wooden beams and roof trusses that were assembled on site. The original cable and counterweight systems used to control movable walls are still present and dramatic catwalks encircle the dome from above.

Community Building – In 1919, a community building was added for more recreation space. Originally, the loft contained a boxing ring. The ground floor contained a 4-lane bowling alley, which now houses offices for Adoption Network Cleveland. The first floor has a gym (which continues to be used by the community), showers and restrooms.

The congregation has vigorously and generously supported major restoration and renovation throughout the years. The renovation work in the sanctuary cost approximately $300,000. Our worship space is similar now to its original design, and full of power to inspire, welcome, comfort, delight, and glorify God.

Volunteers met 45 times over 13 months for at least 1,955 hours to roll on background color, draw and cut stencils, stencil, paint, highlight and trim the 478 feet of paper that now covers the main arches in our sanctuary. Eight volunteers spent 72 hours trimming 2,538 feet of border paper in 4 days. The design of the décor has been guided by Victorian restoration specialist Dale Smith.

A new entrance and elevator, which provide a higher level of accessibility to the building, were dedicated on June 1st, 2008. Funds for the addition to the church were raised through the generosity of Pilgrim people and through the Pilgrim Rising Campaign.

We treasure our building as a legacy and trust, a place of witness and service that has housed, enlivened, and enabled vital ministries for over 130 years. And although a church is always more than a building, much of our ministry is made possible because our wise forbearers built a church home where faith could be put into action. Projects are constantly underway to maintain and improve our historic building so that Pilgrim can continue its tradition as the Church of the Open Door, the Open Heart, and the Open Mind.