Central United Methodist Church (Detroit) facts for kids
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Central United Methodist Church
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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Central United Methodist Church from across Woodward
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| Location | 23 East Adams Street Detroit, Michigan |
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| Built | 1866 |
| Architect | Gordon W. Lloyd; Smith, Hinchman & Grylls |
| Architectural style | Tudor Revival, Gothic Revival |
| Part of | Grand Circus Park Historic District (ID83000894) |
| MPS | Religious Structures of Woodward Ave. TR |
| NRHP reference No. | 82002895 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | August 3, 1982 |
| Designated CP | February 28, 1983 |
The Central United Methodist Church is a historic church in downtown Detroit, Michigan. It was named a Michigan State Historic Site in 1977. In 1982, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Contents
Discovering Central United Methodist Church's History
How Central Church Started in Detroit
The story of Central United Methodist Church began in 1804. That year, the first Methodist preachers, called circuit riders, visited Detroit. One preacher, Rev. Nathan Bangs, had a tough visit. After some pranks, he left, saying he would not return.
But in 1809, Rev. William Case arrived. He found few "serious people" but some wanted to start a church. In 1810, Rev. William Mitchell helped form the First Methodist Society of Michigan. This made Central the first organized Protestant church in the Michigan Territory.
Early Church Buildings and Growth
The first church building was a log cabin built in 1818. It was located outside the city, near the Rouge River. Before that, the group met in the territorial council house. The church officially became a legal organization in 1822.
In 1826, the first church building inside Detroit was finished. It was at the corner of Gratiot and Farmer streets. This building was later replaced in 1833 and again in 1849.
Central Church's Fight for Justice and Peace
Central United Methodist Church has a long history of working for "Peace and Justice." In 1830, a church member, Sheriff Thomas S. Knapp, quit his job. He refused to carry out a public hanging. Many church members joined others who were upset by the event. They demanded an end to the death penalty in Michigan.
Michigan then became the first English-speaking place in the world to stop using the death penalty. This shows the church's early commitment to fairness.
Leaders Who Shaped Central Church
In 1934, Dr. Frederick Bohn Fisher became the pastor. He was a former bishop in India and a personal friend of Mahatma Gandhi. Dr. Fisher wrote a book about Gandhi in 1932.
In 1936, Woodward Avenue was made wider. This meant part of the church had to be taken down. Dr. Fisher helped redesign the church's inside. He added a new pulpit and a beautiful mural of the 12 apostles. He believed beautiful spaces helped people connect with God.
Dr. Henry Hitt Crane was the senior pastor from 1938 to 1958. He believed in peace during both World War I and World War II. He was questioned by government committees for his views. He was a strong supporter of civil rights.
His successor, Dr. James H. Laird, also spoke out against the Vietnam War. Central Church also offered help to young men facing the draft for many years.
Central Church and Civil Rights
In the 1950s, Central Church became a leader in the civil rights movement. It welcomed people of all backgrounds. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. preached from Central's pulpit many times. His last sermon there was just two weeks before he passed away.
Continuing the Fight for Fairness Today
Central Church has continued its work for peace. It has been active in movements against wars. It is often a meeting place for peace rallies and marches. The church also strongly supports workers' rights. It was even the headquarters for a major newspaper strike in the 1990s.
Central Church is known for welcoming everyone. It works to change church policies that are not fair.
Helping the Community
Central Church helps run The NOAH Project. This project helps people experiencing homelessness. It offers meals, social services, and job readiness classes. The church building also has other helpful groups. These include the Swords Into Plowshares Peace Center and Gallery. There is also The Value Shop, which sells affordable items.
Other groups in the church include the National Welfare Rights Organization. There is also a Library of Black Labor History. Westside Mothers and Moratorium Now, which helps people keep their homes, are also there. In 2010, Central Church celebrated its 200th anniversary. Many special guests, like Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr., visited.
The Church Building's Story
Building the Current Church
In 1863, a fire destroyed a nearby church. This led two church groups to combine. They decided to build a new church at Woodward and Adams. The first stone for the main church building was placed on July 3, 1866.
The original church area had the main church, a chapel, an office, and a house for the pastor. The smaller buildings were taken down in 1916. A new six-story church house was built in their place.
Changes to the Church Building Over Time
In 1936, Woodward Avenue was made wider. To make space, a 30-foot section of the church was removed. The west wall and steeple were moved 26 feet eastward. This made the church shorter.
At the same time, the inside of the church was updated. A new altar was carved from Appalachian Mountain White Oak. This beautiful altar has a 30-foot-high carved screen behind it. Detroit artists Elliott and David Skinner painted a mural of the 12 Apostles around the altar.
The ceiling was painted by Thomas Di Lorenzo. It has 230 panels with symbols from different religions. These symbols came from places like the Temple of Heaven in China and the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican. In 1956, beautiful stained glass windows were added. They were made by the Henry Lee Willett Studios in Philadelphia.
Images for kids
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Central United Methodist Church, c. 1899
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Central United Methodist Church c. 1910, looking north along Woodward Avenue. St. John's Episcopal Church can be seen in the far background
See also
In Spanish: Iglesia Metodista Unida Central para niños
