“What if these walls could talk?” they might whisper tales of a community’s evolution. We are standing before the Church of Our Savior in Detroit. This church has witnessed significant changes. It began as a simple mission. Later it transformed into a cornerstone of faith in the Leesville community.
Before Detroit was the metropolis we know, it included rural hamlets like Leesville. Charles Lee established Leesville before the Civil War. A small farming community grew around what is now the Church of Our Savior. Catholics attended Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary parish. It was located at Gratiot and East Six Mile. Leesville Methodist Church served other denominations.
John and Esther Aspinwall Cooper settled in Leesville in 1853. John Cooper was a farmer and brick maker. He made bricks in his backyard. He likely supplied materials for most brick structures in Leesville. Leesville even had a post office. It opened and closed a few times due to community efforts. Finally it closed permanently when Detroit annexed Leesville in 1896.
In the mid-1860s, Episcopalians wanted their own parish. This started as a Gratiot Avenue mission of St. John’s Episcopal. Early meetings occurred in a local school. In 1874, the group acquired land at Harper and Cadillac. The land was donated on the condition it be used for a church.
William Cooper, son of brick maker Henry Cooper, designed and built the church. It is a simple rectangular building with a pointed arch doorway. Cooper also designed brick hoodmolds for the windows. Originally a belfry stood here. However, storm damage led to its removal and it was never replaced.
The Church of Our Savior remained an active Episcopalian parish until 1966. Finding detailed information about the church and Leesville is challenging. Detroit’s Local Historic District recognizes Leesville. Apart from this church, few original structures remain. The University of Michigan’s Bentley Library holds parish records from 1885 to 1966. A dedicated researcher could uncover more of its story.
Built in 1874 and 1875 by William Cooper, this building is a designated historic district. As of 2012, it became the home of the Living Truth Temple. Though not listed on the State of Michigan Registry or the National Register of Historic Places, its local significance endures.
The Church of Our Savior stands as a reminder of Leesville’s past. It represents the enduring power of community and faith. It continues to serve as a place of worship. Its walls echo with stories of those who shaped this corner of Detroit.