Grace Church Welcomes Bishop As Diocese Celebrates Bicentennial

There’s a celebration taking place all across northern Ohio this year, and no more so than at the corner of Third and Bowman in downtown Mansfield.

2017 marks the Bicentennial for the Diocese of Ohio, the first diocese of the Episcopal Church outside of the original thirteen colonies. For the first decades of its existence, the legal and spiritual home of the diocese was in nearby Gambier, home to Kenyon College. Kenyon was founded by Philander Chase, the first Bishop of Ohio.

In the 1870s, the diocesan headquarters was moved to Cleveland. The magnificent Trinity Cathedral is its home on Euclid Avenue.

Grace Episcopal Church in Mansfield has a long and proud history. It was established in 1846, and its first building was located near the site of the Main Library downtown. The current church at Third and Bowman was built between 1905 and 1914, and features stained glass windows from Munich, Germany. One of Grace Church’s best known parishioners was US Senator, Secretary of State, and Secretary of the Treasury John Sherman. His funeral at the old church was attended by many dignitaries, including President William McKinley.

This Sunday, Grace Church welcomes The Right Reverend Mark Hollingsworth, Jr., 11^th Bishop of Ohio. Bishop Hollingworth will officiate at the 9:30 AM worship service and attend a brunch honoring him and those being confirmed that day.

The Bicentennial is being commemorated in many ways in the 48 counties within the Diocese of Ohio’s boundaries. This is a video which showcases its story.