First Baptist Church (Detroit, Michigan) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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First Baptist Church of Detroit
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Church facade from Woodward
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| Location | 8601 Woodward Avenue Detroit, Michigan |
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| Built | 1909 |
| Architect | John H. Coxhead |
| Architectural style | Late Gothic Revival |
| MPS | Religious Structures of Woodward Avenue TR |
| NRHP reference No. | 82002898 |
| Added to NRHP | August 3, 1982 |
The former First Baptist Church is a historic church building located at 8601 Woodward Avenue in Detroit, Michigan. It was built in 1909. The church was designed by architect Guy J. Vinton in the Late Gothic Revival style. Today, this building is known as the Peoples Community Church. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on August 3, 1982, which means it's an important historical site.
History of the Church Building
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The First Baptist Church of Detroit was started on October 20, 1827. The first church building for the group was a small wooden structure. It was built in 1831 at the corner of Fort and Griswold Streets.
This wooden building was replaced by a larger brick church in 1835. The church group built even bigger buildings in 1859-63 and 1871-75.
As more church members moved away from downtown Detroit, the church decided to move too. In 1909, they hired Guy J. Vinton to design and build this new church on Woodward Avenue.
After World War II, fewer people attended the church. In 1957, the First Baptist congregation sold the building to the Peoples Community Church. The First Baptist group then moved to Southfield. They built a new church there in 1965.
Design and Look of the Church
The former First Baptist Church of Detroit is a large building made of limestone. It is built in the Gothic style. The church is about 120 feet long and 110 feet wide.
The front of the church has a very large, pointed window with detailed stone patterns. This window is balanced by a big, square tower on one corner. The main entrance to the church is in this tower. Next to the tower is another section, called an educational wing. It has a similar design to the main church. The outside of the church is special because it doesn't have many decorations. Its large size and shape create a strong visual impact.
Inside, the church follows a design called the "Akron plan." It has a large, square main room with a rounded ceiling. Wooden benches are arranged in a half-circle. A wide, curved balcony goes all the way around this main room. This balcony has a design that looks like pointed Gothic arches. The part of the balcony above the main worship area holds the choir and organ pipes. Other sections on both the main floor and balcony can be used as classrooms. They can also be opened up to create more seating if many people attend.
See also
In Spanish: Primera Iglesia Bautista (Detroit) para niños
