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 is located at 4461 Twenty-Eighth Street. This beautiful church was recognized as 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.
Contents
The Church's History
Building a New Church
In the late 1800s, many German-speaking immigrants moved to southwest Detroit. To help these new residents, the Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church was started in 1882. This church quickly grew very large.
By 1890, the leaders of Zion Church decided to create a new church for their growing community. They hired the 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 is the only known wooden church designed by this firm.
Completing the Buildings
The Gethsemane Evangelical Lutheran Church was finished in 1891. A wooden parsonage, which is a house for the church's pastor, was added the next year. Later, in 1923, a brick school building was also built behind the church.
The church building is listed on both the National and state historical registers. The parsonage and school buildings are also recognized on the city's historical list.
A New Chapter for the Church
The Gethsemane Evangelical Lutheran Church congregation used the building until 1976. After that, the congregation stopped meeting. In 1978, the building was bought by the Motor City Missionary Baptist Church.
The Motor City Baptist Church congregation was formed in 1967. It was started by Reverend John W. Haynes and his wife, Inez. They continue to use the historic building today.
What the Church Looks Like
Outside the Church
The Gethsemane Evangelical Lutheran Church is a wooden building designed in the Carpenter Gothic style. This style often features pointed arches and decorative wooden trim. The church has a frame structure with pointed roofs, called gables, at each end. There is a tall tower in the center and an entrance area, called a vestibule, at the front.
The original wooden siding, called clapboard, is still on the building. It used to be cream and gold with red and blue accents. Now, it is painted white. Each side of the church has five tall windows with pointed tops, known as lancet arches. These windows have beautiful stained glass. The edges of the roof are decorated with curved brackets and a flat, paneled strip called a frieze.
Inside the Church
The inside of the church is very well-preserved, meaning it still looks much like it did when it was built. The lower parts of the interior walls have vertical wooden panels, called wainscoting. 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 church.
The original altar from Gethsemane Church is now used by the Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church in Livonia, Michigan.
Images for kids
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Parsonage next to the church
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School building behind the church
See also
In Spanish: Iglesia Evangélica Luterana Getsemaní para niños
