Central Woodward Christian Church facts for kids
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Central Woodward Christian Church
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| Location | 9000 Woodward Avenue Detroit, Michigan |
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| Built | 1926 |
| Architect | George D. Mason |
| Architectural style | Late Gothic Revival |
| MPS | Religious Structures of Woodward Avenue TR |
| NRHP reference No. | 82002896 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | August 3, 1982 |
The Central Woodward Christian Church, now known as Historic Little Rock Missionary Baptist Church, is a beautiful church building in Detroit, Michigan. It was built in a style called Gothic Revival. This church is so important that it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1993.
The building was first home to the Central Woodward Christian Church. This church was part of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Later, the original church moved to Troy, Michigan. The building was then sold to the Little Rock Missionary Baptist Church.
Contents
Exploring the Church Building
This church is built in a classic Gothic Revival style. It uses Indiana limestone, which is a strong, light-colored stone. The roof is made of slate, and it has copper details.
Amazing Stained Glass Windows
One of the most special parts of the church is its stained glass windows. These windows are very colorful and tell stories. Some of them were put in by the first church group.
- Two windows were designed by A. Kay Herbert. One shows George Washington, a famous American leader. The other shows Abraham Lincoln holding the Emancipation Proclamation. This important document helped free enslaved people.
- In the 1990s, the Little Rock congregation added more windows. They replaced clear glass with beautiful stained glass.
- One of the most famous new windows is the African American Pulpit window. It shows important leaders like Reverend Richard Allen. He founded the African-Methodist-Episcopal church. It also shows Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Reverend Jesse Jackson, and Reverend C. L. Franklin. Reverend James Holley, who was the pastor of the Little Rock church, is also shown.
A Look at the Church's History
The Disciples of Christ church group first came to Detroit in 1846. Reverend William Nay helped start their first church. By the 1890s, the group had grown a lot. They built a large church in downtown Detroit.
Merging Churches and a New Building
In 1926, two Detroit church groups joined together. These were the Central Christian Church and the Woodward Christian Church. Dr. Edgar Dewitt Jones led this new, combined church. He had been the pastor of Central Christian Church since 1920.
In 1928, a brand new building was constructed. It was built where the old Woodward Avenue Church used to be. This new building was needed for the growing church group. They hired a skilled architect named George Mason to design it. The new church opened its doors in 1928.
New Homes for Both Churches
In the late 1970s, the original Central Woodward Christian Church moved. They went from Detroit to a northern suburb called Troy. They built another church building there. It is located at 3955 West Big Beaver Road in Troy. The church kept its name, Central Woodward Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Many pastors have led this church since it moved. In July 2008, Dr. Robert Cornwall became the ninth pastor to serve the church.
In 1978, the building at 9000 Woodward Avenue was sold. It was bought by the Little Rock Missionary Baptist Church. This church was founded in 1938 and is mainly an African American congregation. Today, the church is known as 'The Historic Little Rock Baptist Church'. A special historical marker from the State of Michigan honors the church.
See also
In Spanish: Iglesia Cristiana de Central Woodward para niños
