Saint John's Lutheran Church (Adrian, Michigan) facts for kids
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St. John's Lutheran Church
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 Location in Michigan
Location in the United States
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| Location | 121 South Locust Street Adrian, Michigan |
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| Built | 1861 |
| Architect | Matthes, Kaumeier, Steffan |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 84000544 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | December 27, 1984 |
Saint John's Lutheran Church is a historic church building. You can find it at 121 South Locust Street in Adrian. Adrian is a city in Lenawee County, Michigan. This building was recognized as a special Michigan State Historic Site on February 23, 1981. It was also added to the National Register of Historic Places on December 27, 1984. The original Lutheran church group moved to a new place in 2007. Today, the building is home to the Reformed Baptist Church of Lenawee.
Contents
History of the Church Building
The church group itself started a long time ago. It began on October 10, 1847. Reverend Wilhelm Hattstaedt helped create the "German Evangelical Lutheran Church of Adrian, Michigan." Their first church building was finished in 1849. It served a small number of German Episcopalians.
Building a New Church
The first full-time pastor was Reverend Phillip J. Trautmann. He arrived in 1850. Soon, a new church was needed. More and more German immigrants were moving to Adrian. The building you see today was first built in 1861. It was designed in the Gothic Revival style. The architects were C. F. Matthes, John C. Kaumeier, and Pastor Steffan.
Important Features and Changes
This building is special because it is one of the oldest Gothic Revival Lutheran churches still standing in Michigan. It was officially opened on June 29, 1862. The brick building was first a simple rectangle. Later, in 1896, parts called transepts were added. These make the church look like a cross from above. The beautiful stained glass windows were put in during 1914.
New Home for the Congregation
The original Lutheran church group continued to serve the Adrian community. However, on July 8, 2007, they moved to a new location. Their new church is at 3448 North Adrian Highway (M-52). This is about 3.5 miles (5.6 km) north of the old church. The old church building was then sold. The Reformed Baptist Church of Lenawee bought it. They started using the church in late 2007. They still use it today.
Description of the Church Building
Saint John's Lutheran Church is made of red brick. It is built in the Gothic Revival style. The building has a shape like a cross, which is called a cruciform plan. It sits on a strong sandstone foundation. The roof is gently sloped.
Outside Features
The church has a tower that sticks out a little at the front. The main entrance is at the bottom of this tower. You enter through double doors under a curved archway. The tower has an eight-sided bell tower at the top. The corners of the church have angled supports called buttresses. These supports have metal decorations on top. The side walls are divided into sections by piers, which are like columns.
Inside the Church
When you go inside, you first enter a small room called a vestibule. This room is at the base of the tower. Stairs from here lead up to a balcony. Other stairs go down to the full basement. The main worship area, called the auditorium, opens from the vestibule. The auditorium is shaped like a cross. Its walls are made of plaster. The lower part of the walls has dark, wide pine boards. The ceiling has decorative designs. The pews, where people sit, face the altar. The altar is in the apse, which is a rounded part at the end of the church.
