The Christian House of Prayer

Gazing upon The Christian House of Prayer, one might sense echoes of congregations past. The Christian House of Prayer, established in 2000, carries a legacy stretching back to 1886. It emerged from the culmination of several churches, each with its own unique story. One of these predecessors, Christ Church, originally Christ Evangelical and Reformed Church, stood at the corner of Myrtle Avenue and Roosevelt Street. Founded in 1886, it served a predominantly German-American community. German remained the primary language of worship until around 1950. By 1940, many German-American members had relocated, leading to a decline in attendance. In 1963, Christ Church opened its doors to its new African-American neighbors. Reverend Cameron Byrd, the first African-American pastor, was appointed. His dynamic leadership brought renewed growth from the surrounding community. Another predecessor, Boulevard Church, was founded in 1896 at the corner of West Grand Boulevard and Warren Avenue. Its congregation consisted mostly of European-Americans with Irish, Scottish, and English roots. Like Christ Church, Boulevard Church also saw a shift in its surrounding demographics. By 1940, the neighborhood became predominantly African-American. In an attempt to maintain its racial identity, the congregation built a new church on Joy Road in 1945. However, by 1960, they were once again surrounded by African-American neighbors. The church resisted integration until the late 1960s, when declining membership led to a new approach. In 1968, they appointed two pastors, Reverend Edgar Flood (African-American) and Reverend John Metler (European-American). Unfortunately, this strategy proved unsuccessful. In 1957, the Evangelical and Reformed Church and the Congregational Christian Church merged to form the United Church of Christ. Both Christ Church and Boulevard Church were members of these denominations. In 1974, Reverend Joseph Earle Lloyd became the pastor of Christ Church. By mid-1976, the remaining members of Boulevard Church called upon Reverend Lloyd to also become their pastor. After nearly 25 years with the United Church of Christ, Reverend Lloyd grew disillusioned with its policies. He withdrew from the denomination, urging the Joy Church congregation to do the same. After much deliberation and prayer, they formed a new congregation: God’s House of Prayer. This congregation later became The Christian House of Prayer, continuing its mission to serve the Detroit community. Reverend Lloyd retired in December 2012. In January 2013, Pastor Warner G. Walker, Sr. took the helm, assisted by Minister Earle M. Lloyd. The Christian House of Prayer stands as a testament to the evolving history of faith and community in Detroit.