“Humble” is the word that comes to mind when you first see Zion Congregational Church of God in Christ. Yet, don’t let its simple facade fool you. It holds a significant place in Detroit’s history.
Let’s delve into the story of Zion Congregational Church of God in Christ. It stands as a testament to the evolution of religious practices in America. This nation embraced faith. Public displays of religious beliefs were common. Denominations shifted. Religious practices changed.
The Church of God in Christ was founded in 1897. Its founders were Charles Harrison Mason and Charles Price Jones. Both were trained Baptist ministers. Amanda Berry Smith influenced them greatly. She was a leader in the Black holiness movement. The Holiness Movement emphasized faith. It stressed that good works alone couldn’t guarantee salvation. Christian baptism could protect from sin. The Holy Spirit could guarantee salvation.
In 1897, Charles Mason had an inspiration. He named his group the Church of God in Christ. This happened while walking in Little Rock. In 1899, the National Baptist Convention expelled Mason. His followers held differing views. Some wonder if their success caused resentment.
Conflict marked the early Church of God in Christ. Disagreements led to splits. Lawsuits arose over the church’s name. By 1907, Mason solidified his church. It became a holiness-Pentecostal religion in Memphis. Pentecost marks the Holy Ghost’s descent. It filled the apostles with grace. This anointing played a vital role in Pentecostal churches.
Mason remained a key leader until his death in 1961. He guided the Church of God in Christ as it grew. By 2012, it was among the ten largest Protestant groups. Early on, the church welcomed both whites and blacks. Racial integration proved challenging. Jim Crow laws promoted segregation. By the 1930s, it became mainly a black denomination.
Blacks migrated north. They carried their religious traditions. Isaiah Winans founded this congregation. He was born in Mississippi in 1875. In 1912, he converted to the Church of God in Christ faith. He became a minister three years later. Winans and his family migrated to Detroit in 1918. He established Clinton Street COGIC in 1919.
Many congregations built churches in Detroit in the 1920s. Members found good jobs in the auto industry. The Clinton Street congregation bought land. This was at Mack and Chene. They got a permit in 1929. It was to build the church you see now. The construction cost around $72000.
Lenders worried about the congregation’s finances. They required the church to be factory-convertible. That explains its practical design. Factory-style windows were installed. The congregation paid off the mortgage.
In 1944, a dispute arose. It was between Winans and the national Church of God in Christ. The congregation split off. They formed a new denomination. It was named The Congregation Church of God in Christ. After Winans’ death in 1968, the name changed. It became Zion Congregational Church of God in Christ.
The building has a utilitarian style. It is two stories and faced with brick. The church’s name is engraved in stone. Brick piers flank the central bay. Arts and Crafts trim is minimal.
This Detroit landmark stands as a testament. It reflects faith. It represents perseverance. It shows community spirit. Zion Congregational Church of God in Christ is more than bricks and mortar. It is a living legacy.