Code,999051,
Subject,"Chris Martin, John Wheeler",
Date,6/25/2008,
Interviewer,Erin Bell,
Abstract,"This interview is conducted with Pastor Chris Martin and John Wheeler of Epworth-Euclid United Methodist Church.  They discuss the history of that church in Cleveland, its architecture, the role it plays in the community, and the ways it tries to stay relevant in a changing world.",
Tags,,
Special Notes,,
Minutes:,1:14:33,
0,Wheeler grew up on a farm in Massilon and came to Cleveland to teach in 1969,
1,Wheeler has been a member of Epworth-Euclid United Methodist Church since 1971.  Martin grew up in East Cleveland--graduated at Shaw High.  Appointed as pastor at Epworth-Euclid in 1997.,
2,Martin begins talking about the East Cleveland Schools--Shaw a grteat place to got to high school.  Calls East Cleve a very progressive community.,
3,Martin continues discussion Forest Hills Park.    ,
4,Wheeler talks about the Wade Park Methodist Church merging in the 60s with Epworth.  Sale of  Wade Park's church resulted in the education wing of Epworth in 1961.  ,
5,Wheeler says the history of Epworth dates back to 1831 and near the current location  (Doan's Corner).  ,
6,Later in the 1830's the church building was constructed on E 105th.  He discusses the various early locations of the church.,
7,Wheeler continues discussing the merging early congregations that came together to form the church.  Talks about the Epworth League (grew into a world-wide Methodist youth group). ,
8,Wheeler continues discussing the purposes of the Epworth League.,
9,Wheeler discusses the church's relationship with Euclid Ave.  The church wasn't a 'landmark' building on Euclid.  ,
10,"As congragations moved east in the early 20th century, Epworth Memorial at E 55th and Prospect, and Euclid Ave Methodist Episcopal began difficult negotiations to merge (both had established churches).",
11,"As the larger building, Epworth Memorial building was chosen, and it became known as Epworth-Euclid.  Worshipped there from the early 20's until 1928.  Wheeler says the church is known as the 'Holy Oil Can'.",
12,Wheeler begins discussing the architecture of the building.  Bertram Goodhew was chosen as the architect.,
13,"Goodhew sudddenly died shortly after taking up the commission, however.  His firm continued the work.  Building is not one particular style.  Cornerstone was laid in 1926, first services in 1928.  So it pre-dates Severence Hall.",
14,"It has strong Gothic, English and Art Deco elements all merging.  Made of Plymouth granite.",
15,Discusses some of the cast concrete figures on the church.,
16,Wheeler discusses Goodhew's inspiration for the building.,
17,Wheeler explains why the church is referred to as 'Holy Oil Can'. ,
18,"Wheeler explains the various services conducted at the church, and how the interior architecture facilitates that.",
19,Wheeler continues discussing the interior dimensions/architecture.,
20,Martin discusses the educational programs at the church.  Has a full gym in at the church.,
21,"Martin relates a story about a congregant who uses the gym--he was in the Bataan Death March, and often returns to the Phillippines.  Discusses other programs.",
22,Martin continues discusssing the mentoring program that uses the gym.  Wheeler explains how Case students use the church.,
23,Discuss how the mentoring programs might be similar to earlier programs directed at immigrants to help them adjust to American life. ,
24,Martin explains that institutions in Universtiy Circle 'share' people and much of the growth of the area now is because of that cross-fertilization.,
25,"Martin supplies specific examples of sharing--while the Cleveland Institute of Music's renovations were taking place, most of their recitals took place at Ep-Euclid.",
26,Martin expalins that the relationship with CIM continues today.  Begins explaining the involvemnet with CircleFest and Parade the Circle.,
27,Martin continues explaining the church's involvement in those two events.,
28,Martin continues explaining how the various institutions of Univ Circle have good working relationships and support each other.,
29,Wheeler discusses the Skinner organ in the church.  ,
30,Continuation of the organ discussion.,
31,Wheeler continues discussing the organ and various renovations on it.,
32,Martin says there are other Skinner organs in the area--Severence etc.,
33,Martin goes back to Parade the Circle and explains what it is.,
34,Parade the Circle discussion continues.,
35,Martin discusses the Parade the Circle Village in particular and the events that take place there.,
36,Martin says Ep-Euclid is the only church that participates in Parade the Circle Village.,
37,Martin says the tent at Parade the Circle allows them to promote the church.,
38,Martin discusses the craft project the church does at the Parade the Circle Village tent.--making hats.,
39,"The hats are popular, but wasn't an original idea.",
40,Martin believes other churches will eventually get involved in Parade the Circle--takes a substantial investment.,
41,Church tries to market itself in less expensive ways.  ,
42,"Wheeler discusses Judith Craig, a Christian education director in the late 1960s at Ep-Euclid, and she became a full bishop--an inspiration to others.",
43,Martin discusses the role of the church in promoting ordaining women.,
44,Continues discussing the ordination of women.,
45,Craig's portrait hangs at Ep-Euclid even though she was never the pastor there.,
46,Wheeler discusses the United Methodist stance on civil rights.  Martin expalins that the United Methodist church has always been socially active.,
47,Martin relates a story about a member of Ep-Euclid extending an invitation to protestesting 'flower children' in the 60s to join the church.,
48,Martin is not a protester--did not burn his draft card etc.,
49,"He did not serve in Viet Nam, but 9 of his classmates died in the war.",
50,Martin discusses the war protesters in the 60s.,
51,"Martin went to a debate in Washington as a seminary student, and the students were thrown out for heckling--Martin agrees with the decision to throw those students out.  The church does not condone war, ever.",
52,Martin claims that anti-war stance does not mean the congregants (and him) are not patriotic.,
53,Martin discusses the importance of the internet to the church--particularly good at communicating with college students.,
54,"Internet also allows the ministers of patients at the Cleveland Clinic that are from other places, contact Ep/Euclid about pastoral care of those patients.", 
55,Martin says the monthly newspaper is now on-line and won't be mailed. A better way to communicate with the congregation.,
56,Martin discusses 'Rowing against the wind'--the difficult financial situation of churches.  ,
57,Martin particularly discusses Ep-Euclid's financial problems.,
58,The financial problems challenge the church to work harder and be more creative.,
59,Martin also says the church must change with the times to stay relevant.,
60,"Martin discusses the ways Ep-Euclid tries to use 'traditional worship', music to attract congregants. ",
61,Wheeler adds how Ep-Euclid is involved in various homeless endeavors such as the 'stand down' and offering meals.  Martin believes these efforts are important to young congregants.,
62,Martin discusses other instances of the church reaching out to others--such as bringing Rwandan refugees to the US.,
63,"Martin says it's difficult to bring refugees to the US since 9/11, and discusses the costs involved etc.",
64,"Martin talks about how a couple of those refugees are doing, and goes on to mention the church's support of missions in Italy.",
65,"Martin discusses local involvements with various agencies--Ronald McDonald House, Hospitality Homes, etc.",
66,Martin discusses how the church reaches out to young people through its missions--working on a habitat house.,
67,"Martin discusses the facilities of the church that support these missions--kitchens, showers, space to sleep over night.",
68,"Martin says there is no debt on the church building which is probably worth $25m.  Ep-Euclid know for music, beautiful location, hospitality and reaching out to others.",
69,"Wheeler relates a story about how someone not from Cleveland just returned to say how he was able to stay at the church during a snowstorm, and came back to visit.  Martin talks about how the church offers it's facilities to other groups.",
70,"Martin says the groups seek the church out because of the location, and the church tries hard to accommodate all who ask.",
71,Wheeler discusses the original role of the gym at the church.  It wasn't unusual at the time.,
72,Martin continues discussing gyms at churches.  The church was for worhip and social aspects.,
73,Wheeler goes back to discuss the unnoticed sculptures (8 angels under the steeple) on the church.  Interesting details that go unnoticed.,
74,Wheeler discusses the fire that destroyed the steeple,