First United Methodist Church (Highland Park, Michigan) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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First United Methodist Church
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First United Methodist Church, seen from across Woodward
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| Location | 16300 Woodward Avenue Highland Park, Michigan |
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| Built | 1916 |
| Architect | William E. N. Hunter |
| Architectural style | Late Gothic Revival |
| MPS | Religious Structures of Woodward Ave. TR |
| NRHP reference No. | 82002918 |
| Added to NRHP | August 3, 1982 |
The Soul Harvest Ministries building, located in Highland Park, Michigan, is a historic church that was originally known as the First United Methodist Church. It was built in 1916 and is recognized as an important historical place, added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. You can find it at 16300 Woodward Avenue in Highland Park.
A Look Back: The Church's Story
The story of this church building began even before the current structure was built. In 1868, a simple wooden chapel was constructed behind where the church stands today. This chapel was used for services by different Christian groups.
However, fewer people attended this chapel in the 1880s. By 1885, it became an Episcopal chapel. Then, in 1892, the chapel was sold to the Methodists for just $1. They also agreed to take over the chapel's existing debts.
The Methodist church received financial help from important people. These included Michigan Senator Thomas Palmer and Thomas Stevens, a retired sea captain. Their support allowed the Methodists to build the beautiful Gothic-style church you see today. Construction took place from 1916 to 1917.
Later, in 1956, the original wooden chapel was taken down. A new, modern building for education was built in its place. Since 1995, the building has been home to Soul Harvest Ministries.
What the Church Looks Like
The church building has a Gothic style, but it also shows influences from the Arts and Crafts movement. It is made from red brick and has details trimmed with light-colored limestone. The church is shaped like a rectangle, measuring about 108 feet long and 95 feet wide.
The side facing Woodward Avenue has three stories and a pointed roof. It features many large, leaded windows. Strong brick pillars with limestone decorations connect these windows. A square tower with a flat roof stands at one corner of the building. This tower has openings with louvers, which are angled slats, for a bell tower.
The main entrance to the church is on the Church Street side. It is covered by a wide arch at the base of the tower. This side of the church also has two sections with tall, arched Gothic windows and small gabled roofs above them. You can see decorative brickwork all over the outside of the building.
Inside, the church has a special layout called a modified Akron Plan. This means it has a two-story main area with floors that gently slope downwards, like a theater. This area has theater-style seating. Around the edges of this main space are classrooms and extra seating areas.
The main worship area is slightly raised and covered in dark oak wood panels. It has a pitched ceiling with exposed beams. Inside, you'll find a beautifully carved wooden altar, a lectern (where readings are given), and an organ. The interior also features tiled floors, oak woodwork in the Arts and Crafts style, and brick wainscoting (a decorative paneling on the lower part of the walls) with special Pewabic tiles.
