Reid Avenue called city ‘church center’

A look at the history of religious institutions in Lorain reveals many diverse institutions were found on or near Reid Avenue.

That was the message delivered by David Simmer, president of the Friends of Lorain County Sacred Landmarks Initiative, at “Really Religious Reid Avenue” a March 28 event looking at the importance of the road with its the centers of worship.

“I just felt it is something that is very fascinating,” Simmer said. “I enjoy Lorain history and I feel the churches tell so much of the Lorain story. It is unique that you find the churches on Reid and not the main road. The main road, in Lorain’s case, being Broadway.”

Simmer said the reason for the religious institutions almost exclusively on Reid Avenue was by the

design of Lorain’s forefathers.

“Broadway was desired to be the city’s commercial epicenter,” he said. “You used to have all kinds of

quality stores on Broadway and that’s where everyone was. The churches needed to be centrally located, so they were put on the road that runs parallel.

That’s why Reid became a religious center for the city.”

Simmer said it is also interesting to look at how prominent religious centers were in Lorain.

“Churches in Lorain were the center of much social interaction,” he said. “You really don’t see that anymore. I feel that has to do with the amount of events there are on Sundays. There are travel youth-sport leagues and stores that are open. You simply have other things to do now that nobody would dare schedule on Sunday back in the old days.”

Simmer said it is also important to point out the nationality diversity among the Reid Avenue religious institutions.

“Lorain has a diverse assortment of churches on Reid,” he said. “It has black congregations established at the same time and integrated among predominantly white churches, synagogues and a mosque. Lorain touts itself as a diverse city, and it is hard to argue that claim when looking at Reid Avenue. It’s simply an amazing place and something Lorain should be very proud of.”

ERIC BONZAR — THE MORNING JOURNAL David Simmer, president of the Friends of Lorain County Sacred Landmarks Initiative, gives a presentation on the religious landmarks of Lorain during the Lorain Public Library System Main Branch’s Lunchtime Local History gathering, March 28.