Imagine this historic structure with a steeple.
Old Council Hall was built in 1856 and has served many purposes throughout the history of Mentor. Originally constructed as the Disciples of Christ church, it was located just across the way at the northeast corner of Jackson Street and Mentor Avenue. Mentor resident and President James A. Garfield – the only U.S. President to also be an ordained minister, was a member and occasionally preached here.
In 1912 the old church, minus its steeple, was moved to its present location at 7250 Jackson Street, to make way for a larger (Disciples of Christ) Mentor Christian Church (which also still stands). The building served as the Mentor Township Hall until Mentor Village and Mentor Township merged to form the City of Mentor.
Over the years, Old Council Hall became run down and was slated for the wrecking ball but the Old Mentor Foundation stepped and persuaded the city to preserve the building as an historic structure which is still in use today.
For other waypoints on the Mentor History Trail, visit www.mentorhistory.com.