Greetings from the White Memorial Church. We have recently created a project to help repair and restore our church to her former glory, so that she can remain a brilliant lighthouse for lost souls for ages to come.

The canvas on the left is part of a 6 canvas series, created to save the church from disrepair.

By photographing the windows at the right time of day, upscaling them and leaving the scars, dirt, mold and replaced panes visible, we are portraying them how they still sit today and in turn preserving them and making them available to the public. This way, we are securing the church's rich local and national history. 

We wish to restore every part of the building to its original state. Believe it or not, this church's leadership and denomination have very direct ties to the Underground Railroad in this area. Thanks to the fearless and dedicated burning heart of Wesleyan Methodist sister, Laura Smith Haviland. Many men and women came to gain their freedom right from this area! She worked hand in hand with Levi Coffin, the president of the Underground Railroad. They risked their lives by hiding away slaves in barns and wagon bottoms, smuggling them through Canfield and into Canada through Michigan. The slave traders put a $3,000 bounty on her head, dead or alive. Many Christian and non-Christian farmers all around the Struthers area hid slaves, protecting and feeding them.

The windows of this church are haunted with the love and fire of those individuals, a spirit that still lives on inside the hearts of its current congregation. They minister tirelessly, reaching out to the community and they have stood as a lighthouse on that corner since it was only a parking lot, holding an old-fashioned holiness tent meeting in 1934.

Some of these windows were commissioned for fallen pastors by their families. The names on the windows consist of Albert, Lucy and Allan White, Mr. and Mrs. James C. White, Mr. and Mrs. J.A. Van Auker, Rev. and Mrs. Charles C. Cross, and others were donated from historical buildings in the area, such as the old Struthers School building, but more importantly, they need help. And now, through this vision, others can step in and aid them, and at the same time get to own these fine-art, giclée canvases and obtain an original piece of that rich and rare history. 

People are giving money tirelessly to this church in hopes of its preservation. The most recent donation was over $12,000 to put on a new roof because the water damage was getting bad. The church prayed and very shortly after, the funds were obtained. Please, keep obeying God. It's been beautiful to see. God is faithful to this church every day, and in a million different ways. The White Memorial Church is a true testament to faith, grit, and community spirit. Built during the height of the Great Depression between 1934 and 1935, the church’s pastor, Reverend White, single-handedly hand-laid all 27,000 bricks to erect the exterior. Working side-by-side with dedicated congregation members after their daily shifts, and even mortgaging his own household goods to secure building materials. Rev. White poured his own life and labor into these walls.

Today, these canvases capture the haunting beauty of its historic stained-glass windows, preserving a powerful visual monument to the profound sacrifice that built this Struthers, Ohio landmark.

This church and the School building from which the front sanctuary masterpiece came were the center of all education and biblical teaching in the City of Struthers. Many who live in this area will remember some of these windows. They are a part of their youth. This city's very foundations are on this corner. You would be hard pressed to find another gem that should be more cherished and preserved.

This church has faithfully kept the windows that were given to it by the City of Struthers, and the many others that were commissioned and donated, lifted up and in good condition for many years.

But her poor arms are getting tired and she is in need of help and new strength. She is still so breathtaking that almost every single person who has ever attended a service here has commented on her beauty, and that, still to this day! Though she suffers a lot of damage, her insulation is poor, and bills are high, she has stood through years of attendance fluctuation and for the past 10 years has only been held together by a handful of tithers and donors, provided to her by the grace of God, she has been quietly and patiently waiting on the Lord. And those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength and mount up with wings as eagles.

This is all we wish for this church. This is our goal, and this is our faith, our feet and our hands, acting along with our prayers. God has never let this church down before, and we believe He is coming to its aid again. If we all faithfully do our part and if we can somehow match God's desire for this church, just think what the future could hold for it and for the City that God has lovingly gifted it to.

The current pastor and his wife, Reverend Timothy Young and Sister Darlene Young have been faithfully ministering to the Struthers church and community for almost 10 years now, never giving up, tirelessly working and simultaneously taking part in other missions in the North-East Ohio area and also around the globe. Their hands minister in many different countries. Their only desire is to keep the doors of the church open as long as possible, extending an open invitation to all who pass by, to all who see her beautiful windows and meet her loving congregation.

So please, buy as many pieces as you can, for yourselves or as gifts for others and for Christmas. We have lots to fund, and now, thanks to God, we have a rare and beautiful fine art collection and other unique items with which to raise the funds.

These are fine-art, giclée, museum-quality unframed canvases and floating canvases with beautiful black frames. They are absolutely stunning! And they will last for generations to come- an art piece full of history and stories that will last for ages, and the very definition of a conversation piece.

They really do beautify homes in a strikingly different way than your average art piece. And If you have no stained-glass in your own church, these can help you to still achieve that aesthetic. They also prep the hearts and minds of the people while gazing upon them, pre-service. Or even place them on the walls of your educational institutions. These are just some ideas, but we are sure you can help us think of many more as the project evolves!

Please, after you get your canvases, share pictures of them in your home. And share our project with as many individuals as humanly possible! It is just another way that you can give, if you can't financially.

You will never have to worry about defects or damage. If anything gets delivered that wasn't stretched correctly or if it was printed or framed improperly in any way, you can just keep it and we will get another one sent out to you, no worries; the return policy section will show you how.

And if anyone needs to reach us to help or for help in any area, please feel free to email the Church Project Administrator at info@forgedinthefire.store

Please note: Our office is closed on Sundays.

A hearty thank you from the Historic White Memorial Church of Struthers, Ohio!