Mariners' Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mariners' Church of Detroit |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Location | Detroit, Michigan |
| Country | United States |
| Denomination | Anglican Church in North America Reformed Episcopal Church |
| History | |
| Founded | 1842 |
| Founder(s) | Julia Anderson |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Mid-America |
The Mariners' Church of Detroit is a historic church in Downtown Detroit, Michigan. It is located at 170 East Jefferson Avenue. This church was started in 1842 with a special goal: to help sailors and travelers on the Great Lakes.
The church follows Anglican traditions in its worship services. For many years, it was part of the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan. However, in 1992, a court decided that it was an independent church. The Mariners' Church was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1971 because of its important history.
Outside the church, you can see a bronze statue of George Washington. He is shown wearing an apron, like a master mason. This statue is a copy of an earlier work from 1959 and was placed here in 1966.
Contents
History of Mariners' Church
How the Church Began
The Mariners' Church started because of a generous gift from a woman named Julia Anderson. She gave the land where her own large house stood. At that time, the Erie Canal had just been finished, which meant many more ships and sailors were coming through the area. Julia Anderson felt these sailors needed spiritual support and care.
So, the Mariners' Church was officially started in 1842. The building you see today was finished and dedicated in 1849. Before this, there was an older wooden church building. This original building was sold for $200 to another church, Historic Trinity Lutheran Church, which then moved it to a different street.
A Stop on the Underground Railroad
Before the American Civil War, the Mariners' Church played a secret and important role. It was a stop on the Underground Railroad. This was a network of safe places that helped enslaved people escape from the South to freedom in Canada.
In 1925, the church also started Mariners' Inn. This place helps people who are experiencing homelessness. It provides them with a safe place to stay and support services.
Moving a Church Building
In 1955, the church faced a big challenge. It was planned to be torn down to make way for a new city center. But a church trustee and newspaper writer named George Stark had an idea. He asked his readers to donate small amounts of money, like $5 or $10, to help save the historic building.
His appeal worked! Enough money was raised to move the huge 60,000 pounds (27,000 kg) (about 27,200 kg) limestone church building 880 feet (270 m) (about 268 meters) east. This amazing move was even featured in Life magazine. During the move, workers found a hidden tunnel under the church. This tunnel was likely part of its past as a stop on the Underground Railroad. Today, the church sits partly over the Detroit–Windsor Tunnel.
The new spot for the church on Jefferson Avenue also has its own history. It was once the site of the Indian Council House, built after a big fire in 1805. This house was used for meetings with local Native American tribes. It was also where the first Protestant church services in Detroit were held. Later, it became an office for the Army Corps of Engineers, an office started by Colonel John Anderson, who was Julia Anderson's husband.
Church Independence
In 1990, the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan filed a lawsuit against Mariners' Church. The diocese claimed that Mariners' Church was part of their group. However, Mariners' Church argued that it was an independent church, free from other church organizations. The courts agreed with Mariners' Church in both the first case in 1990 and an appeal in 1992.
The church uses older versions of the Book of Common Prayer for its services, from 1662 and 1928. For many years, from the 1950s to the 1980s, their services were even broadcast on the radio station WWJ (AM).
Church Design and Features
The Mariners' Church building is made from a special stone called Lannon stone, which comes from Wisconsin. It is built in the Gothic Revival style, which looks like old English churches. The building is about 49 ft (15 m) (15 meters) wide and 94 ft (29 m) (29 meters) long.
Outside the Church
The church's east and west walls are divided into sections by strong supports called buttresses. The south wall has seven of these sections. The east wall has a very large window above the chancel (the area near the altar). This window is about 15 ft (4.6 m) (4.6 meters) wide and 25 ft (7.6 m) (7.6 meters) high, with beautiful stone patterns.
At each corner of the building, there is an eight-sided buttress. The west wall features a large, round window called a rose window, which is 12 ft (3.7 m) (3.7 meters) across. When the church was first built, the north and west sides were hidden by other buildings. After the 1955 move, a new bell tower was added, and the north wall, which now faces Jefferson Avenue, was rebuilt to match the south wall, with new windows.
Inside the Church
The ground floor of the church, where offices and meeting rooms are now, used to have businesses. These businesses helped provide money for the church. The first tenants were a post office and a bank. Later, there was a grocery store, a barber shop, and a laundry. Before the church was moved, the main entrance was also on this ground floor.
The Sanctuary
The main worship area, called the sanctuary, is about 43 ft (13 m) (13 meters) wide and 75 ft (23 m) (23 meters) long. It has an organ gallery at the back. The ceiling is made of wood with visible beams that are painted to look like oak. The walls are covered with a special fabric.
The church has had several pipe organs over the years. The first one was installed in 1849. In 2007, a new organ with 78 sets of pipes was put in.
The beautiful stained glass windows were made in 1955. The large rose window on the west side was a gift from the Browning family. This family was involved in shipping on the Great Lakes. The window looks like a ship's compass, which is a perfect symbol for a church dedicated to sailors. The windows on the side walls show scenes from the history of Detroit and stories from the Bible.
Renovations in 1971
In 1971, the church had more renovations. The Chancel area was made larger. The Altar, Reredos (the screen behind the altar), pews (church benches), and floor were all restored. The lighting, sound, and electrical systems were updated. The wooden patterns of the rose window were replaced with stone, and an air conditioning system was installed.
Remembering Those Lost at Sea
Since it was founded to serve mariners, the church has special services to honor them. Every March, they hold a "Blessing of the Fleet" for those who are about to go out on the water. Every November, they have a "Great Lakes Memorial Service" to remember those who have lost their lives at sea.
In November 1975, the church's bell rang 29 times to mourn the loss of the freighter Edmund Fitzgerald. Each chime was for one of the 29 crew members who were lost. The church continued to hold an annual memorial for the Edmund Fitzgerald, reading the names of the crew and ringing the bell, until 2006.
The Mariners' Church is even mentioned in Gordon Lightfoot's famous song, "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald." The song says: "In a musty old hall in Detroit, they prayed in the Maritime Sailors' Cathedral. The church bell chimed 'til it rang, 29 times, for each man on the Edmund Fitzgerald." In 1985, Gordon Lightfoot himself performed his song at the tenth memorial service for the Edmund Fitzgerald at the church. After seeing the church, he said he would change the line in his song to "rustic old hall" because it fit the church better. On May 2, 2023, the day after Gordon Lightfoot passed away, the church's bell rang 30 times: once for each of the 29 crew members and once for Gordon Lightfoot.
On November 12, 2006, the church expanded its memorial ceremony. Instead of just remembering the Edmund Fitzgerald, they began to honor all the more than 1,000 lives lost on the Great Lakes. In 2006, the bell rang eight times: five times for the five Great Lakes, a sixth time for the St. Clair and Detroit rivers, a seventh for the St. Lawrence Seaway, and an eighth time for military personnel who died.
Leaders of the Church (Rectors)
- Horace Hills 1849–?
- Rufus Murray 1856–?
- Alfred Lee Brewer 1859–?
- A. M. Lewis 1865–?
- E. W. Flower 1872–?
- William Charles 1877–?
- Paul Ziegler 1855–1915
- Hubert W. Wells 1915–1917
- Harry C. Robinson 1917–1921
- John H. Lever 1921–1925
- Harry I. Pearson 1925–1929
- George Backhurst 1929–1942
- David R. Covell 1942–1946
- G. Paul Musselman 1946–1953
- Elmer B. Usher 1956–1964
- Richard W. Ingalls, Sr. 1965–2006
- Richard W. Ingalls, Jr. 2006–2012
- William Fleming 2013–2018
- Jeff Hubbard 2018–2022
- Todd Meyer 2023–Present
From 1925 to 1957, Mariners' Church did not have regular church services. During this time, the Rector (the head priest) also served as the Superintendent of Mariners' Inn, helping to manage the support services offered there.
Images for kids
-
Mariners' Church in 1936, looking northwest from Woodbridge and Woodward Avenue.
-
The Woodward Avenue (east) side of the church in 1936.
-
The church altar before the 1955 move and the installation of new stained glass windows.
See also
In Spanish: Iglesia de los Marineros (Detroit) para niños
