CLEVELAND PRESBYTERIAN CHAPEL (9/13/2021) (https://www.facebook.com/ClevelandPresbyterianChapel)
Cleveland Presbyterian Chapel was built by the Roseboro’s in estimated 1889-1890 making the chapel over 132 years old and a chapel with immense history located at 101 Maple Street, Cleveland, NC 27013. It is understood that Mr. Roseboro who built the chapel got the idea for the design (triangular with
cathedral windows) from a church on a grander scale in New York City . The chapel has a bell tower that traditionally has been used to signify the start of Sunday Chapel Service . In the earlier days it was used by the town to alert the residence of a fire or inclement weather. The Educational building located in the back of the chapel was added much later in 1945-1946. Initially in 1884 or 1885, Reverend A. Walker White (Pastor of Third Creek Presbyterian Chapel) began preaching once a month at the Academy in Cleveland, NC before the chapel was built. A small fraction of 3rd Creek Presbyterian Chapel members relocated to attend worship at the Academy and eventually became members of the Cleveland Presbyterian Chapel (estimated 85 members). The reason for the relocation was due to transportation in those days being the horse and buggy traveling on dirt roads during treacherous conditions due to inclement weather creating hardship to travel any distance much less the distance to the 3rd Creek Presbyterian Chapel from the town of Cleveland . That is the reason why there are so many small churches today. Eventually the Pastor for the 3rd Creek Presbyterian Chapel would serve as the minister for both the Cleveland Presbyterian Chapel and Third Creek. (Reference resources: 1) The First 100 Years, 1883-1983, Cleveland, North Carolina, compiled by Evelyn Myer Allison; The Cleveland Presbyterian Chapel and 2) Historic Third Creek Presbyterian by John Kerr Fleming.) Later the Educational Building was built to support Sunday school classes and serve as a place where the congregation members can share comradery serving food and drinks on special occasions like Candlelight Christmas Program. The chapel established a tradition of holding an annual Candlelight Christmas Program in the evening. This program serves our congregation, friends, family, and most importantly a chance to invite the community and a sort of homecoming in celebration of the birth of Christ (Christmas). At the end of the Candlelight Program—participants get a candle and gather in a circle in the chapel sanctuary to sing the last song of the night “Silent Night” and then go to the Educational Building for food and drinks. Also, the Mayor Pat Phifer and Evelyn Looney confirmed that the town’s Christmas tree use to be located on our church lot right off of Main Street right in front of our chapel. The town’s people would decorate it and everyone driving by could enjoy the display. So Mayor Phifer asked us if we would mind starting this tradition again and we think that is an excellent idea. Again the Roseboro family came to the rescue of the chapel facility operations by willing a building in the downtown area in the town of Cleveland to the Cleveland Presbyterian Chapel. Colonel John E. Gray (Army, Ret.) was our senior Elder and Treasurer for over 30 years contracted the United States Post Office to rent this building until 2025 with an option to extend the contract. Unfortunately, the congregation members have slowly dwindled down to 6 members and we are limited in expanding our chapel membership by inviting the public in due to the COVID 19 virus and its’ variants. Mr. Rosoboro had no idea how his donation of his building to the chapel would save the chapel from going under when facing such hard times and struggling to grow. Don’t know how other little churches are surviving these days without other sources of income. We are now only opened on the first Sunday of each month due to COVID viruses and the efficacy of shots and until we know more about this virus limiting public attendance. A survey was conducted recently by Ms. Christine Brown-Auman who is helping to lead a major effort (in the honor of her paternal Grandparents--the Browns) in revitalizing the town of Cleveland. On this survey applicants were asked what landmark they thought about when they thought of the town of Cleveland and the majority of responders indicated the Cleveland Presbyterian Chapel. Currently, we are seeking to make the Cleveland Presbyterian Chapel a historical landmark or establishing the town of Cleveland as an historic district that will include the chapel and any other historical landmark in the town and this would be published in the National Register and then eligible for grants. This effort is underway. The Chapel and the Educational buildings can be rented out as a wedding venue, nonaffiliated funeral service or other uses for a reasonable fee. The chapel can hold up to 130 people and is located just 15 miles south of the historic Salisbury Railroad Station Hall where you can have a wedding reception at the renovated Salisbury Railroad Station Hall . Then afterwards get on a train where your guests can send you off on a train for your honeymoon to the mountains. Your wedding planner can make all these arrangements and book the chapel for your wedding venue by contacting via email [email protected] for additional information in renting out the chapel and the educational buildings.
