Coldwater in Branch County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

First Presbyterian Church

American Presbyterian and Reformed Historical Site

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, April 11, 2023

1. First Presbyterian Church Marker

Inscription. Organized in 1837, the same year that Coldwater became a village, the local Presbyterian society held services in various quarters until 1844 when it erected its first church. It completed the present Romanesque Revival-style brick church in 1869 at a cost of $40,104. The 185-foot steeple, one of the highest in southern Michigan and the chief landmark of the city, was made possible by a gift from S.M. Seely. The Meneely bell came from West Troy, New York, in 1853. In early times, the church often served as a lecture and concert hall. Sojourner Truth, former slave and early women's rights activist, spoke here in 1877. This church building is now the oldest in the city still in use by its original denomination. In 1986 it was listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Erected 1987 by Bureau of Michigan History, Michigan Department of State. (Marker Number L657A/281.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Churches & Religion. In addition, it is included in the American Presbyterian and Reformed Historic Sites, and the Michigan Historical Commission series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1837.

Location. 41° 56.528′ N, 85° 0.015′ W. Marker is in Coldwater, Michigan, in Branch County

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. Marker is at the intersection of Marshall Street (Old U.S. 27) and Church Street, on the right when traveling north on Marshall Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 52 Marshall Street, Coldwater MI 49036, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Sovereign Wings (within shouting distance of this marker); Frank D. Newberry (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Loomis' Battery (about 500 feet away); a different marker also named Loomis' Battery (about 500 feet away); Branch County World War I Memorial (about 500 feet away); Old Sam (about 500 feet away); Branch County World War II Memorial (about 500 feet away); Coldwater Michigan National Guard Armory Memorial (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Coldwater.

Regarding First Presbyterian Church. First Presbyterian Church was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1986. The church is also an American Presbyterian and Reformed Historical Site No. 281 and one of 445 American Presbyterian and Reformed Historical Sites registered between 1973 and 2003 by the Presbyterian Historical Society (PHS), headquartered in Philadelphia. Approved sites received a metal plaque featuring John Calvin’s seal and the site’s registry number (PHS marker location unknown).

The following text is taken from the Presbyterian Historical

Photographed By Duane Hall, May 17, 2013

2. First Presbyterian Church Marker

Society website:

The First Presbyterian Church of Coldwater was organized in 1837. The congregation built its present Romanesque Revival church in 1866. When completed, it was the largest church in town. Members of the church were active in the Underground Railroad and the movement to abolish slavery. The sanctuary hosted speakers such as suffragist Elizabeth Cady Stanton and former slave and women’s rights advocate Sojourner Truth. Henry P. Collin, minister of the church from 1879 to 1905, pioneered continuing education for adults and served for many years as president both of the city school board and the library. The congregation’s support of Collin in the face of presbytery objections caused it to leave the PCUSA from 1896 until 1907.

Photographed By Duane Hall, May 17, 2013

3. First Presbyterian Church Marker

View to north along Marshall Street

First Presbyterian Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Doda, May 11, 2022

4. First Presbyterian Church

Photographed By Duane Hall, May 17, 2013

5. First Presbyterian Church

View traveling north on Marshall Street

Credits. This page was last revised on April 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 16, 2013, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 499 times since then and 22 times this year. Last updated on August 21, 2018, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. Photos: 1. submitted on April 30, 2023, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. 2, 3. submitted on July 16, 2013, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. 4. submitted on May 13, 2022, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. 5. submitted on July 16, 2013, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.