The church at the center of Tallmadge Circle in Summit County is celebrating its bicentennial this year. But the plans for the church are even older, predating the city’s settlement.

Tallmadge was founded in 1807 by David Bacon, a Congregationalist minister who journeyed West to convert indigenous people to Christianity. He was assigned to minister a church in Hudson in 1804.

“It was his goal to create a community with a strong religious background – Congregationalist, which he was – as well as education," Tallmadge Historical Society President Christopher Grimm said.

Bacon started designing the original city with a town square, Grimm said.

“In that town square he had designated a church to be built and a facility for education," Grimm said.

Construction of the church began in 1822

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