This Week in Oberlin History: The Dedication of Second Congregational Church
October 28, 2021
Black and white photo of Second Church's interior from 1885 during the 25th anniversary celebration, facing the altar and balcony.
Exterior side view of Second Church from 1873, including downtown Oberlin.
Black and white exterior side view of Second Church from 1926.
Many people know of First Congregational Church, but did you know there was a Second Church as well?
In May of 1860, over 100 members of First Congregational Church split off to form Second Congregational Church. The Oberlin College Trustees agreed for the Church to be placed on College property on West College Street in exchange for Oberlin students being able to worship freely on Sundays.
151 years ago on October 23, 1870, Second Congregational Church was dedicated and remained in the building on West College Street until 1920, when First and Second Church combined and worshiped in Finney Chapel until renovations could be completed in the First Church building on Main Street.
The College purchased the building in 1927, removed the steeple, and used the building as the home for the Wright Zoological Laboratory until 1959. The building is no longer standing and now Bibbins Hall, part of the Conservatory of Music, stands on the corner of West College Street where Second Congregational Church once stood.