First Reformed and First Lutheran Churches
Also known as: First United Church of Christ and First Lutheran Church
Why it's listed
Two red brick Gothic Revival churches stand side by side on East Tuscarawas Street in downtown Canton, near a major railroad crossing. First Reformed, on the west, has a core dating from 1862, with a front facade and western additions of 1899 and a three-story classroom and office wing added in 1926. First Lutheran, on the east, dates from 1869-70 and gained transepts and a chancel around 1925 and a classroom addition in the 1950s. Between them are two 1941 brick parsonages, a garage and a c. 1900 frame caretaker's house. The site is significant for religious history. German-descended Lutheran and Reformed settlers shared church buildings and records in early Ohio, formalized by an 1822 agreement. Disputes over language, temperance and revivalism led to separation in the 1850s, and the Reformed congregation built its own church on the west part of the shared site. The buildings, standing only feet apart, document that connected but divided history.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the two buildings represent a long shared history of German Lutheran and Reformed congregations in east central Ohio. The groups worshipped together in frontier days, then divided in the 1850s and built separate churches a few feet apart. Their continued proximity reflects that intertwined development.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 82003647, listed September 28, 1982. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 901 and 909 E. Tuscarawas St., Canton |
|---|---|
| County | Stark County |
| Listed | September 28, 1982 |
| Reference number | 82003647 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1862; 1869-1870 |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Religion |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Both churches are occupied and in religious use; condition is marked excellent and altered. |
| Acreage | 2 |
| Coordinates | 40.79791, -81.36683 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 82003647.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q60040363
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.