Grace Presbyterian Church dates back to 1916 when Lakewood Presbyterian Church was asked to sponsor a new congregation in the southwestern portion of Lakewood.  In July that year, the Presbyterian Union purchased land at Rosewood Avenue and Hilliard Road.  In the spring of 1917, Grace Chapel, a small, white frame building, was erected on the site of the current building.  It served as the church until 1928 when that building was moved to the rear of the property and a basement built for a large Gothic-type structure.  In 1920, 68 members of Lakewood Presbyterian Church were dismissed to Grace Presbyterian Church and the new church was organized by the Presbytery of Cleveland with 99 members.  On Oct. 3, 1920, Grace Church was formally chartered with 97 members.  Rev. Lee H. Richardson was the first pastor, and served from 1917 to 1923.  On Feb. 3, 1928, the congregation approved a campaign to build a basement church.  The little white building and the basement church, which was dedicated in December 1928, served for all church and Sunday School programs until 1954.  The frame building was moved north of the basement church and served as the Sunday School unit.  Rev. Eugene E. House was pastor from 1923-1927 and was followed by Rev. Frank W. Duggan from 1927-1932.  When the Depression hit, several members put up their Homes as collateral for a $5,000 loan to complete the church.  The $5,000 loan was paid off in 1931 and interest-only payments were made on the $12,000 owed to Cleveland Trust.  It was paid off on March 3, 1939.
      In 1932, invitations were extended to the Community Church to explore plans for a possible merger.  Rev.Frank N. Nelson was pastor during this time, from 1932-1942, coming from the Community Church, which merged with Grace Church in 1933.  For awhile, the church was called the Community Presbyterian Church of Lakewood.  On March 3, 1939, the mortgage was burned with help from the Presbyterian Union.  In 1942 a new Hammond organ ($2,390) was ordered with a down payment of $100.  In 1943, it was discovered that the church has not been incorporated under the new name following the merger.  The constitution and by-laws had been misplaced or lost and because so many still called this church "Grace Church," the Session called a congregational meeting in May to choose between the two names.  While minutes of this meeting do not exist, shortly thereafter, the Session minutes are recorded as "The Grace Presbyterian Church."
      In the 50s, two building funds realized $25,000 and a manse was purchased and plans were made for a new sanctuary to be built on top of the basement structure.  Rev. Edward L. Schalk was pastor from 1942-1952.   By 1954, the church had amassed $105,000 to start construction. A total of $60,000 was raised then.  The congregation had $25,000 and was promised $15,000 from the Presbytery of Cleveland.  The Sanctuary ultimately cost $123,500. A contemporary English cottage design was chosen, updating the original plans for a Gothic design.  The unique building was featured on the "Today" TV show with Dave Garroway.  The new sanctuary was dedicated on March 20, 1955.  Rev. Dr. J. Harold Gwynne was pastor during the campaign and for several years afterward, 1952-1966.  By 1957, church membership was at a high of 500 and Sunday School enrollment was 225.   The need for a Christian Education building was apparent and on Nov. 24, 1957, a campaign was started for the project, estimated to cost about $125,000.   In 1959, the building was dedicated.  The mortgage was burned in 1970 at the 50th anniversary.  A new Allen organ was dedicated in 1965, following a $10,000 donation from a longtime member.
      Rev. Dr. Roy F. Schutz was called as pastor in 1966 and served until 1995.  In the 1970s, property adjoining the church was purchased for future use.  This consisted of three lots.  Two of the houses were rented until 1994.  The third had been torn down.  A renovation project in the church's Social Hall, the former basement church, was done through a gift in 1985.  A chapel for small weddings and services was completed through a special gift also.  At this time, a church library was started, which soon outgrew its quarters and moved to a larger space.  A Lenten Drama series began in 1979.  A community meal program began in 1983 under the direction of the deacons.  On May 16, 1993, a $316,000, three-year campaign was started to build a parking lot, handicapped access and other improvements.  Ground was broken for the parking lot on April 24, 1994, and construction started on Sept. 1, 1994, with the demolition of the two houses.