1849-1857
The First German Reformed (Zion's) Church of Detroit, Michigan was organized by Rev. Abraham Berky on November 20, 1849 and first began meeting in the Detroit City Hall. Throughout history, the congregation was known by several names. These included Zion’s Reformed Church, the German Reformed Church, Reformed Zion Church or simply Zion Church. Shortly after organization, a brick building costing $3,000 was erected on Croghan Street (now Monroe Avenue) and was dedicated on April 12, 1852.
In this church, the following ministers served the congregation:
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1857-1890
In February of 1857, the church property on Croghan Street near Beaubien was sold to the Second Baptist Church of Detroit in the amount of $3,800. The Second Baptist Church continues to occupy this property located at 440 Monroe Avenue.
At this time, several lots on the east side of Russell Street between Sherman and Catherine Streets were purchased for $750. A new church with a parsonage and a school building were erected at a cost of $1,600. In 1862, it was enlarged at the cost of $2,200. Today, Catherine and Sherman Streets no longer exist, but would have been the two streets located north of Mullet on Russell Street. This church building no longer exists. In this second church, the following pastors ministered unto the congregation:
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1890-1917
During the pastorate of the Rev. Carl F.W. Hustedt, in the year 1890, the third church edifice on Chene and Jay Streets was built on a lot then costing $2,100. The buildings erected on this ground cost $7,000. Chene and Jay Streets no longer intersect. Originally, Jay Street was located one block north of Antietam on Chene. This church building no longer exists.
The congregation was in a time of transition in 1896. Rev. Carl F.W. Hustedt started a Sunday School in the village of Hamtramck, and out of this Sunday School spread a new congregation, which became known as Grace Reformed Church. In September of 1896, Grace Reformed Church was officially incorporated and on November 20, 1898 the church building located at 2351 East Grand Boulevard would be dedicated. In 1972, Grace Church would later merge with Zion Church of Fraser and became known as Zion-Grace United Church of Christ. In 2001, Zion-Grace United Church of Christ would merge with Peace United Church of Christ and become known as Hope United Church of Christ. Today, the congregation is located at 35127 Garfield Road, Fraser, MI. |
Two years later, there would a split in the church and the Rev. Carl F. W. Hustedt, along with a group of members would organize Bethel Lutheran Church on March 6, 1898. Bethel began meeting in Albright's Hall on Chene and Pierce Streets. Later, the congregation purchased a little frame church on Arndt Street near McDougall and finally erected a new, brick building at 2455 Mt. Elliot Avenue (now New Harmony Baptist Church). Bethel would later merge with Gloria Dei Lutheran on November 2, 1947 to form Cross of Glory Lutheran Church. Cross of Glory continues in operation today and is located at 16661 E. State Fair, Detroit, MI.
After the establishment of Bethel Lutheran Church, the following pastors ministered unto the congregation:
After the establishment of Bethel Lutheran Church, the following pastors ministered unto the congregation:
- Rev. Christian Baum, 1898-1910
- Rev. Frank H. Rupnow, 1910-1913
- Rev. Edward L. Worthman, 1913-1916
1917-1953
Ground was broken on the new site for the new church in June 1917, and the cornerstone was laid with approximate services on July 8, 1917. On October 10, 1917, an affidavit was filed with the Wayne County Register of Deeds formally changing the name to The First Evangelical Reformed Church. On March 27, 1953, First Evangelical and Reformed along with Bethany Evangelical and Reformed Church decided to merge, thus forming First-Bethany Evangelical and Reformed Church. Services continued in the Bethany Evangelical Church building and the First Evangelical and Reformed Church was sold to New Liberty Baptist Church.
The following pastors ministered unto the congregation:
Our history continues in the chapter titled "First-Bethany."
The following pastors ministered unto the congregation:
- Rev. Carl F. Heyl, 1916-1920
- Rev. Louis D. Benner, 1921-1928
- Rev. Norman C. Dittes, 1928-1945
- Rev. J.P. Meyer, 1946-1951
- Rev. Emil N. Krafft, 1951-1953
Our history continues in the chapter titled "First-Bethany."