Grosse Pointe Memorial Church facts for kids
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Grosse Pointe Memorial Church
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| Location | 16 Lake Shore Dr., Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan |
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| Architect | W.E.N. Hunter, Corrick Brothers |
| Architectural style | Late Gothic Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 93001351 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | December 6, 1993 |
The Grosse Pointe Memorial Church (GPMC) is a beautiful church in Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan, USA. It's part of the Presbyterian Church, USA. This special building was recognized as a Michigan State Historic Site in 1990. Later, in 1993, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places, which lists important historical places across the country.
Contents
History of the Church
For a long time, the Grosse Pointe area was mainly Roman Catholic. But by the mid-1800s, many Protestants moved there. They needed their own church.
In 1865, a group of Grosse Pointe residents started the Grosse Pointe Protestant Evangelical Church. It was a non-denominational church, meaning it wasn't tied to one specific Protestant group. Two years later, they built their first church building. The land for it was given by Rufus Kerby.
In 1894, Joseph H. Berry donated more land. This new land was where the church stands today. A second building, called the "ivy covered church," was built there.
Becoming a Presbyterian Church
In 1920, the church decided to become a Presbyterian church. Two brothers, Truman Handy Newberry and John Newberry, gave almost $300,000. This was a very large gift! They wanted the new church to be a memorial to their parents, John and Helen.
The church hired architect W. E. N. Hunter to design the current building. It includes the main church and four other parts. These were built between 1923 and 1927. In 1925, the church changed its name to "The Grosse Pointe Memorial Church." This honored the Newberry family's generous gift. The new main worship area was finished in 1927. It was dedicated to the church's original founders.
In 1962, an educational wing was added. This new space included the Barbour Chapel and the Fitt Library. It also had more rooms for Christian education. The church building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1993. In 1997, the church did a big renovation. They added a new entrance facing the lake. They also made the chancel (the area around the altar) larger.
Grosse Pointe Memorial Church Today
Church Leadership
Today, the Grosse Pointe Memorial Church is led by Jeff Lincicome, who is the Head of Staff. The Minister of Music and Organist is James Biery. The church has about 25 staff members, both full-time and part-time.
Church Projects and Renovations
In 2014, GPMC started a big fundraising effort called a capital campaign. This was to pay for many renovations and new projects around the church. Some of these projects included:
- Stained Glass Windows: Taking out, repairing, and putting back the beautiful stained glass windows.
- Carillon: Fixing the steel frame that holds the bells. They also rewired the connections and added a new, very large bell.
- Community Outreach: Helping to build three Habitat for Humanity houses over three years.
- Columbarium: Expanding the space where ashes are kept. They added about 250 more spots.
- Sanctuary Upgrades: Improving the wiring for lights and fixing the boiler in the main worship area.
- Crib and Toddler Wing: Updating and making this area safer and more welcoming for young children.
- Fellowship Hall and Youth Space: Renovating these areas for gatherings and youth activities.
- Endowment Funds: Setting aside money for the church's future needs.
Outdoor Spaces
The outdoor area behind the church, near Lake Saint Clair, is used for worship in the summer. After the capital campaign, this space was expanded and made flatter. It was also renamed Trinity Terrace. A playground was installed, a garden was planted, and a shed was built. The Kaiser family and the Gallagher-Kaiser company helped pay for these improvements.
Church Architecture
The Grosse Pointe Memorial Church is built in the Neo-Gothic style. It uses ashlar limestone, which is a type of cut stone, with smooth sandstone for trim. The roof is made of slate.
The church building is not perfectly symmetrical. It has a cross-gable roof and a tall bell tower. The front of the church has a gable at the top. Each side of the church has four sections. These sections have pairs of stained-glass windows high up, called clerestory windows. Stone pillars separate these sections.
The main part of the church, called the nave, is shaped like a Latin cross. It has a high, arched ceiling. Aisles on each side are separated from the nave by stone pillars. The clerestory windows are above these aisles. On each side of the church, there are three-story sections with arched entrances and flat-topped windows.
The church has beautiful carvings made by a German sculptor named Alois Lang. The stunning stained glass windows were designed by the Willet Studios.
