Gethsemane Evangelical Lutheran Church facts for kids
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Gethsemane Evangelical Lutheran Church
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| Location | 4461 28th St., Detroit, Michigan |
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| Built | 1891 |
| Architect | Spier & Rohns |
| Architectural style | Carpenter Gothic |
| NRHP reference No. | 82002900 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | April 22, 1982 |
The Gethsemane Evangelical Lutheran Church is a historic church building in Detroit, Michigan. It's located at 4461 Twenty-Eighth Street. This building is very important because it was named a Michigan State Historic Site in 1980. It was also added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. Today, the building is home to the Motor City Missionary Baptist Church.
History of the Church
In the late 1800s, many German-speaking families moved to southwest Detroit. To help these new residents, the Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church was started in 1882. This church quickly grew very large.
In 1890, the leaders of Zion Church decided to create a new church for their growing community. They hired the famous architectural firm of Spier & Rohns. Their task was to design a wooden church that would cost no more than $2,000 to build. This church is special because it's the only known wooden church designed by this firm.
The Gethsemane Evangelical Lutheran Church was finished in 1891. A wooden house for the pastor (called a parsonage) was built next to it in 1892. Later, in 1923, a brick school building was added behind the church. The parsonage and school are recognized as historic buildings by the city. The church itself is listed on both state and national historic registers.
The Gethsemane Evangelical Lutheran Church congregation used the building until 1976. After that, the church group stopped meeting. In 1978, the building was bought by the Motor City Missionary Baptist Church. This new church group was started in 1967 by Rev. John W. Haynes and his wife, Inez.
What the Church Looks Like
The Gethsemane Evangelical Lutheran Church is made of wood and has a style called Carpenter Gothic. This means it looks like a fancy, old-fashioned wooden chapel. It has a main tower in the middle and an entrance area (vestibule) at the front.
The outside of the church still has its original wooden siding. It used to be cream and gold with red and blue details. Now, it's painted white. Each side of the church has five tall, pointed windows made of stained glass. The edges of the roof (eaves) have decorative curved pieces and a flat, paneled design.
Inside, the church is very well-preserved, meaning it still looks much like it did when it was built. The lower part of the walls has vertical wooden panels. The area above these panels is covered with cream-colored painted canvas. The church organ is located on a balcony at the back of the building.
The original altar from Gethsemane Church is now used by another church. It is at Christ our Savior Lutheran Church in Livonia, Michigan.
Images for kids
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The parsonage next to the church.
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The school building behind the church.
See also
In Spanish: Iglesia Evangélica Luterana Getsemaní para niños
