First off, Bob Dyer’s “Falling from Grace” series is quickly unfolding as a touchstone of Northeast Ohio journalism. His two-month investigation has pried open a sense of secrecy surrounding Ernest Angley’s Grace Cathedral in Cuyahoga Falls. 

Today’s installment features allegations of sexual abuse brought forth by former parishioners — claims that Angley dismisses curtly in an interview with Dyer. A brief excerpt of Angley’s attitude, which comes out pretty clearly in Dyer’s reporting:

When Angley was asked why he counseled people to stay silent about such matters, he said: “They shouldn’t talk about it, but they can do something about it. But they ought not to spread it abroad, you know, because that hurts others.”

But shouldn’t others be warned?

“Well, yeah, if they’re dangerous,” Angley responded. “If it’s somebody that, you know, makes a habit of that. We get ’em out. We get them out. We just let them know they have to go.”

When asked why he didn’t report such issues to authorities, he said, “That isn’t my place.”

The allegations get fairly grisly, and Angley shows up in various accounts as a victim-blaming paranoiac. 

The series will continue daily through the week.

Akron Beacon Journal Managing Editor Doug Oplinger interviewed Dyer about how the project came about. 

This article appears in Oct 8-14, 2014.

Eric Sandy is an award-winning Cleveland-based journalist. For a while, he was the managing editor of Scene. He now contributes jam band features every now and then.

9 replies on “Bob Dyer’s Reporting Reveals Covered-Up Claims of Sexual Abuse at Ernest Angley’s Church in Cuyahoga Falls”

  1. I love my God and my Messiah Jesus the Christ but such foul creatures as this who pray upon children and people all in the name of religion; In truth is’s all about wealth, power and sexual pleasure at the cost of many are mere pigs in suits on their way to the slaughter house of judgment

  2. Foul and evil wicked spirits of deceptiveness have taken over this reporters mind. Men of God will not be swayed by this vile slander! Stand strong with Rev. Angley.

  3. He’s a slime bag who preys on the weak, just as so many other “Christian” whack jobs do. When you lock the doors to keep people from leaving during a sermon, something is wrong. At least he had guards at the doors. Great work, AB-J!

  4. Samsom, you vile, treacherous dog. Were you one of the abused? Blindly following these false prophets interested only in wealth for themselves makes you an idiot. Use your brain. You probably line up to ride a dinosaur ride ’cause man is only 6000 years old. Except for scientific proof. And think Uncle Ernest is God’s Word. Please, when he offers it to you, drink the Kool Aid.

  5. Homophones can be tricky. There’s a difference between “pray” and “prey,” just as there is a difference between “prophet” and “profit.” Assuming the allegations are true, this fellow apparently does know the difference, whereas his followers apparently do not.

  7. Don’t judge others for you will be judged GOD is the judge I have been to pastor angleys church he is a true man of God

  9. This is a big church, with MANY visitors as well as the regulars. Have went there in the past. Have to say, tho i haven’t gone to church in a long time, that he was a good minister. His motto seems to be, that only death should stop the minister from serving. But there are way too many people there and many workers serving the dif functions, for an old man in his 90s to control.

    Its terrible that with huge crowds and many of the “vile” who actually DO need help, will fall into their bestial habits and do their sick crimes. There are always families there, and a large sitter service in dif parts of the buildings. I also served as a sitter, so I know how it could get. Over crowed at times. Too many children to keep an adequate eye on all as needed as babies require the most attention. That can make it hard to even know when something has gone amiss, until you either hear something or notice a child gone. And with parents coming and going at all times, that makes it even harder.

    Not making excuses, but I can see how it can happen. He would make them leave, once he knew for certain who had done what. He’s not a quick man to judge or condemn, but those who would be criminal in his sphere of things will be turned out. I DO wish tho, that he would allow some of his members to turn them over to the police, and then just pray about it, if he felt led not to bring a railing accusation against anyone.

    That would be why he doesn’t do that. Because Christians are told not to bring a railing accusation against a fellow member, but to take it before the elders of the church. If these who do this, continue to commit their crime, while a member, then they must be dealt with. And they would be ousted.

    I am glad tho, that there is an investigation. It will perhaps bring some of the criminals doing that, to justice. Thats the risk they take, when doing that. And perhaps some of the members will help, once one is behind bars and witnesses are needed.

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