Goodwill Community Church

Tucked away on West Seven Mile Road, Goodwill Community Church stands as a testament to Detroit’s resilient spirit. Goodwill Community Church wasn’t always known by this name. Its story begins over a century ago, in 1915, as Trinity Reformed Church. A small group, yearning for spiritual connection, began meeting in the Greenfield-Union School. Their faith blossomed, and by Easter Sunday 1916, a congregation of 19 souls gathered under a simple tent. The tent soon gave way to a more permanent tabernacle, and in 1919, the cornerstone of the current building was laid. Goodwill Community Church’s architecture is unique. It’s the only known Detroit design by Charles W. Bolton & Son, a prolific church architect. The church was dedicated in 1920 with a grand celebration. The air filled with music and prayer, marking the beginning of a new chapter. Over the years, the church witnessed mergers and name changes, evolving with the changing times. It became Trinity Evangelical & Reformed Church in 1934, reflecting a broader Protestant unity. The congregation thrived, celebrating milestones like paying off its debts in 1945. But the story of Goodwill Community Church takes a dramatic turn in the 1980s. The original Goodwill Community Chapel, located on East Grand Boulevard, fell victim to the city’s controversial Poletown Plant project for General Motors. Displaced from their home, the congregation found refuge in the West Seven Mile building, the former Trinity United Church of Christ. The fight wasn’t over. Goodwill Community Church battled General Motors and the city for fair compensation, eventually winning a significantly larger settlement. Today, Goodwill Community Church stands as a symbol of perseverance, a place where faith and community intertwine. It’s a reminder that even in the face of adversity, the spirit of goodwill can prevail.