Elmwood Park in Detroit in Wayne County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
St. John's Presbyterian Church
Photographed By Joel Seewald, July 23, 2017
1. St. John's Presbyterian Church Marker
Inscription.
St. John's Presbyterian Church. . On April 27, 1919, thirty-nine people met in the First Presbyterian Church on Woodward Avenue and organized St. John's Presbyterian Church. Reverend John W. Lee, a field missionary, led the formation of the church to serve Detroit's growing black population. St. John's was the first African-American Presbyterian congregation in Michigan. The first place of worship was located at Madison and Dubois streets. In 1936 churchwoman Anne Lewis led the establishment of the St. John's child care center. In 1940 the congregation moved to a church at Clinton and Joseph Campau streets. In the 1960s government-sponsored "urban renewal" projects forced the congregation to move to a new location. The first service in the present church was held on Christmas Day 1966.
On April 27, 1919, thirty-nine people met in the First Presbyterian Church on Woodward Avenue and organized St. John's Presbyterian Church. Reverend John W. Lee, a field missionary, led the formation of the church to serve Detroit's growing black population. St. John's was the first African-American Presbyterian congregation in Michigan. The first place of worship was located at Madison and Dubois streets. In 1936 churchwoman Anne Lewis led the establishment of the St. John's child care center. In 1940 the congregation moved to a church at Clinton and Joseph Campau streets. In the 1960s government-sponsored "urban renewal" projects forced the congregation to move to a new location. The first service in the present church was held on Christmas Day 1966.
Erected 1991 by Bureau of History, Michigan Department of State. (Marker Number L1781.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Churches & Religion. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical date for this entry is April 27, 1919.
Location. 42° 20.391′ N, 83° 1.731′ W. Marker is in Detroit, Michigan, in Wayne County. It is in Elmwood Park. Marker is at the intersection of East Lafayette Street and St. Aubin Street,
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on the right when traveling west on East Lafayette Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Detroit MI 48207, United States of America. Touch for directions.
View looking to the west along East Lafayette Street.
Photographed By Joel Seewald, July 23, 2017
3. St. John's Presbyterian Church
Credits. This page was last revised on February 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 1, 2017, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 456 times since then and 109 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on August 1, 2017, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.
