Imagine a spire piercing the sky. It is a testament to resilience. That’s the Fort Street Presbyterian Church. This Detroit landmark stands tall with a 265-foot steeple. It’s one of the tallest churches in the United States.
The Fort Street Presbyterian Church has a rich history. It reflects Detroit’s growth and changes. In the 1830s and 1840s Detroit’s population boomed. Many English Protestants arrived. Reverend Robert Kellogg formed the Second Presbyterian Church in 1849. The 26 charter members first met in the old Capitol building. They then built a church at Lafayette and Wayne Street.
Enter Albert and Octavius Jordan. These architect brothers came to Detroit from Hartford in 1852. They quickly became leading figures in the city. The Second Presbyterian congregation hired them to design a new church. This was despite having only 167 members.
The chosen location was on Fort Street. Back then it was a popular area for prominent citizens. People like Russell A. Alger and James F. Joy were members. After the move the congregation became Fort Street Presbyterian Church.
The original Fort Street Presbyterian Church was finished in 1855. It cost $70000. Interior work was delayed for 15 years. Finally the gallery and pews were installed. These conformed to the original design.
Tragedy struck in 1876. A fire destroyed the building. The roof collapsed and the spire crashed onto Fort Street. But the church was rebuilt. The original plans were used. Construction finished on June 10 1877. Another fire in 1914 destroyed the roof again. It was rebuilt once more. The church remains as the Jordan brothers designed it. Upon completion the steeple was the tallest structure in the city and state from 1877 to 1909.
The Fort Street Presbyterian Church showcases Gothic Revival architecture. It is built of limestone ashlar from Malden Ontario. The facade boasts the tall square tower with its spire. A shorter octagonal turret provides balance. This was modeled after King’s College Chapel in Cambridge. Stained glass illuminates the sanctuary. Flying buttresses and lacy stonework adorn the sides. Tall windows give an airy feel.
Inside the Fort Street Presbyterian Church you discover a three-aisle nave. A horseshoe balcony offers seating for nearly 1000 people. The pews are hand-carved black walnut. The baptismal font is Caen stone. It rests on onyx columns from Mexico. Mary Chase Perry Stratton created the floor tiles. She was the founder of Pewabic Pottery. The brass lectern is shaped like an eagle. It was displayed at the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago.
The Fort Street Presbyterian Church organ was built in 1914. Wangerin-Weickhardt built it. It contains 3253 pipes. These range from 1/4 inch to 16 feet in length. It includes parts of the original 1855 organ.
This church represents revivalist architecture. American architects adapted the English Gothic Revival style. They blended Gothic elements with simple plans. This created the Victorian Gothic style. The Jordan brothers embraced this. The Fort Street Presbyterian Church is a prime example. It has remained largely unchanged despite the fires.
In the early 20th century the church focused on social service. The area became home to people with modest incomes. James Joy donated land in 1908. Mrs Oren Scotten gave $50000. This paid for the Church House construction. It allowed the church to serve new members. The Church House gymnasium became a “health club”. They offered gym classes. The church also sponsored an early Boy Scout troop.
Membership grew until the Great Depression. Afterward it declined. In the 1940s there were plans to close the church. World War II changed everything. The gymnasium became a dormitory for servicemen. They arrived at Fort Street Union Depot. By war’s end the church housed 60000 men.
The Fort Street Presbyterian Church stands as a testament to faith. It embodies architectural beauty and social commitment. It’s a Detroit treasure. It is a place where history and community intertwine.n