Original Primitive Baptist Church

October 22, 1968. A significant date for the Original Primitive Baptist Church. This was the day the church officially registered in Michigan. The church, located at 937 Manistique Street in Detroit, has been an active part of the community for over five decades. The Original Primitive Baptist Church traces its roots back to the earliest days of Baptist history in Michigan. Michigan became a state in 1837. Baptist families were among the early settlers, establishing churches in Oakland County. The first four Baptist churches were organized in Pontiac in 1822, Stony Creek in 1824, Troy in 1825, and Farmington in 1826. These churches formed the Michigan Baptist Association in 1827 or 1829. One of the ministers involved was Elder Moses Clark, who began his work in Michigan in 1825. Later, in 1838, Elder Clark also helped establish the Old School Baptist Church in Canton, Wayne County. This history shows the rich tradition the Original Primitive Baptist Church is connected to. The early Baptist movement in Michigan faced challenges. The “modern mission system” caused disagreements among some Baptists. Some opposed these new methods, as seen in the historical records from 1839. One account tells of a group in Canton, Wayne County who “took their stand against the prevailing errors of the day.” They faced criticism for their stance. But they remained firm in their beliefs. Another instance involved the church at Fairfield in Lenawee County. A majority of the church withdrew from the modern mission system. In 1839 representatives from the Canton and Fairfield churches met. They formed the Michigan Corresponding Meeting. Other churches joined this meeting, which gathered regularly. This reflects the dynamic history that shaped the Baptist tradition in Michigan, a history the Original Primitive Baptist Church is part of. Today, Fred Stevenson serves as the registered agent for the Original Primitive Baptist Church in Detroit. The church continues to be a place of worship and community.