Beneath this very roof, two stories intertwine. The Saint John’s Christian Methodist Episcopal Church stands here today. But its walls whisper tales of a different beginning.
Originally, this building was the North Woodward Congregational Church. It served a different congregation with its own dreams.
The first chapter began in 1907. A small chapel rose here. It was designed by Malcomson and Higginbotham.
As the congregation grew, so did their vision. Construction of the main sanctuary started in 1911 and finished in 1912. The architect Hugh Clement designed the building. He created a Gothic red brick church. Limestone trim added to its beauty. The designs included Prairie and Arts & Crafts influences.
More sections were added over time. The church house, the most recent addition, appeared in 1929.
But times changed for the North Woodward Congregational Church. By the 1950s, many members had moved from Detroit. The congregation sold the building.
In 1955, a new chapter began. Saint John’s Christian Methodist Episcopal Church acquired the building. It became the first Black congregation in the “Piety Hill” section of Woodward Avenue.
Saint John’s Christian Methodist Episcopal Church has a rich history. It was organized on July 8, 1917, as St. John’s Colored Methodist Episcopal Church. The name “Colored” was changed to “Christian” in 1954.
Saint John’s Christian Methodist Episcopal Church holds a special place. It was the first Christian Methodist Episcopal church in Michigan. As of 2009, it remained the largest in the state.
The interior of Saint John’s Christian Methodist Episcopal Church is Basilican. It features a high central nave and lower side aisles. Light streams through large stained-glass windows. Gothic moldings decorate the plaster finish. The organ is hidden behind a pierced wooden screen. Pewabic Pottery mosaic tiles line the baptistery. A Pewabic tile floor and beamed ceiling top it off.
The building does not have a bell tower. Yet its architecture speaks volumes. This is a testament to faith and community. Saint John’s Christian Methodist Episcopal Church stands as a landmark. It reflects Detroit’s evolving story. From its humble beginnings to its present-day prominence, Saint John’s Christian Methodist Episcopal Church remains a beacon of hope.