The Really Old History
Wakeman Congregational Church has its earliest roots back to the founding of Wakeman in 1819. The first settler was a man named Augustin Canfield (crazy enough, some of his descendants still attend our church!). The earliest settlers were from Connecticut, as they received land in the Wakeman area as compensation for their land in Connecticut being burned by the British in the War of 1812 (hence the entire region in which Wakeman is a part is called the Firelands). The earliest settlers were largely Congregationalists and began worship services from the beginning of settlement.
The Slightly Less Old, But Still Really Old History
Wakeman Church was largely influenced by Oberlin College which is about 15 minutes away. In the 1830s the revivalist movement of the second Great Awakening came to Wakeman and there came a division between members. This led to a group breaking away from the Congregational Church and forming the Second Congregational Church on August 31, 1844. (This is the official birthday of Wakeman Congregational Church).
Slightly More Recent, But Still Pretty Old History
Construction began in 1877 on a new facility which opened in 1879. This historic and beautiful building is still the one we use today. The pipe organ (still in use) was built and the basement area was also built. In 2002, the church bought some surrounding property from the local school district, where we now have a playground, baseball field, a basketball court, a large field, and picnic pavilion. In early 2020 the church bought the remaining building from the school district, to start work on The Outreach Center. Currently part of this building is being used for clothing giveaway.
Who We Are, Where We Are, Where We’re Going
Wakeman Church is part of a very rich historical heritage. Congregationalism goes all the way back to the Pilgrims and Puritans of New England. There is a rich theological heritage there, and we claim some of those great pastors and theologians, such as Jonathon Edwards, as our spiritual forefathers. We’ve also been influenced by the broader movements within Evangelicalism, such as the second Great Awakening. In May 2014, Wakeman Congregational Church, formally reaffirmed our commitment to the authority, inerrancy, and sufficiency of scripture, to the fundamentals of the gospel message, and our commitment to fulfilling the Great Commission to our community and to the world at large. This prompted the members to withdraw from the United Church of Christ.
Wakeman Congregational Church seeks to be Christ-centered, and gospel-centered in all that we do. We want to be people who are filled with God’s Spirit in such a way that it overflows into all of our works and into all of our relationships, that people may know that God is present at Wakeman Congregational Church.
About Wakeman Ohio
Centrally located in northern Ohio, Wakeman is 45 minutes from Cleveland, 30 minutes from Sandusky and 15 minutes from Lake Erie, recreational and cultural activities are within easy reach. There are several colleges within a short drive, giving access to many educational opportunities as well.
The town was founded in 1819 as part of the Firelands area, also referred to as the Western Reserve.
Village of Wakeman
Wakeman is a small village on historic route 20 that runs from coast to coast. A farming community with a lot of history. Some have described Wakeman as friendly and warm, with an “I’ll give you a hand attitude,” it has a quiet rural flavor with lots of “real salt of the earth people” that care about each other, a nice little downtown and attractive countryside.