Grace Church

Grace Church was founded in downtown Willoughby in 1870. After World War II, needing more room, we began looking for a new location. In 1958 thirty-three wooded acres, one mile south of the original church was purchased and by 1963 our current church and undercroft were erected. In the early 70’s the education wing and rectory were added. Our day care center began in 1978. Being blessed with a beautiful wooded setting and a new rector familiar with Cleveland, we opened an intercity day camp. Our facilities have also been used for campouts, family picnics, parish parties and a host of Boy Scout activities in the past. Our Memorial Garden was consecrated in 1976.

Grace Church experienced, as did may other churches, decline in attendance and financial support, which resulted in deferrd facility maintaence and part time clergy. Grace leadership found the path to remaining a viable parish by entering into a ninety-nine year lease with Ohio Living, formerly known as  OPRS (Ohio Presbyterian Retirement Services/aka Breckenridge), to build 110 senior independent living apartments known as Grace Woods on sixteen acres of the property. The ground breaking for Grace Woods was in July 2008. We now have a revenue stream to implement long delayed capital improvements and support a full time rector. The people of Grace Church believe that the church's  mission centers on being the hands and feet of Jesus in our community and striving to bring God's love and mercy to those God puts on our path. We provide space for 5 AA/NA groups as well as other not-for-profit communiy oganzations.

The Willoughby Community, a suburb of Cleveland, has a populaton of a little over 22,000 souls. Ninety percent of the popultion is caucasian with a median age of 44 years andin 2015 amedian household income of $54,186. Education levels are: High School diploma 93%, Bachelor's Degree 28.3%, and Graduate/Professonal Degree 8.4% . The unemployment rate is 3.4%.

Please call 440-942-1015 for the schedule of special Holy Day services.  We welcome all to come worship and fellowship with us!