Photographer Captures Vanishing Landmarks of Youngstown's Immigrant History

Lisa Frederick's 'Sacred Landmarks' exhibition at the Butler Institute of American Art showcases 12 historic churches facing closure or demolition.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Artist and photographer Lisa Frederick has documented 12 historic churches in Youngstown, Ohio, that represent the city's immigrant heritage and are now facing closure or demolition. The 'Sacred Landmarks' exhibition at the Butler Institute of American Art features images of these majestic structures, some still active and others abandoned, as a tribute to Youngstown's fading architectural and cultural history.

Why it matters

Youngstown was once home to a vibrant network of churches that served the city's diverse immigrant communities, but many of these historic buildings have been lost to consolidation, neglect, and redevelopment. Frederick's project aims to preserve the memory of these 'sacred landmarks' before they disappear entirely, highlighting the need to recognize and protect Youngstown's architectural and cultural heritage.

The details

The 'Sacred Landmarks' exhibition includes 12 churches, some still active and others now empty or demolished. The project began with Frederick's documentation of El Emmanuel Congregation Temple, a synagogue built in 1912 by Russian Jewish immigrants that was later repurposed as an African Methodist Episcopal church before being razed in 2019. Other featured churches include the Welsh Congregational Temple, which was the city's oldest standing church until it was demolished in 2022 after sustaining damage in a 1997 fire.

  • The 'Sacred Landmarks' exhibition is on display at the Butler Institute of American Art through April 25, 2026.
  • El Emmanuel Congregation Temple was demolished in 2019.
  • The Welsh Congregational Temple was demolished in 2022 after a 1997 fire.

The players

Lisa Frederick

An artist and photographer who retired in 2021 as a visual arts teacher in Salem, Ohio. She launched the 'Sacred Landmarks' project to document Youngstown's historic churches before they are lost to closure and demolition.

Butler Institute of American Art

A renowned art museum in Youngstown, Ohio, that is hosting the 'Sacred Landmarks' exhibition.

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What they’re saying

“In downtown Youngtown and downtown Warren, on every corner there used to be a church. We've already lost quite a few churches. There's been a lot of consolidation, but a lot of them are already gone. They've already closed them, they've already torn them down. They're already gone. They're not even around anymore, and it seems like, on the news every time you're listening, there's another church closing, another one's merging.”

— Lisa Frederick, Artist and Photographer (tribtoday.com)

“Out of these 12 churches, only two are registered on the National Historic Places and even on Ohio's Registry of Historic Places. I find that extremely surprising, because when I worked in Salem, and this is back in the late '80s, early '90s, every single building in downtown Salem and every church — and not only every church but the homes on South Lincoln and State streets — was registered in Ohio and on the national registry … These churches have way more historical significance than in Salem.”

— Lisa Frederick, Artist and Photographer (tribtoday.com)

What’s next

Frederick said a second volume of 'Sacred Landmarks' is already in the works, and she would like to work with Youngstown State University's history department to start the application process to get the featured churches added to the National Register of Historic Places.

The takeaway

Lisa Frederick's 'Sacred Landmarks' project shines a light on the rapid disappearance of Youngstown's historic churches, which served as cornerstones for the city's diverse immigrant communities. Her work underscores the urgent need to preserve these architectural and cultural landmarks before they are lost forever.