Germantown in Ann Arbor in Washtenaw County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Bethlehem United Church of Christ

Photographed by Joel Seewald, August 30, 2020

1. Bethlehem United Church of Christ Marker

Inscription. In the late 1820s and early 1830s many German Protestant immigrants settled in the Ann Arbor area. Desiring to worship in German, they wrote to Switzerland's Basel Mission to request a pastor. On August 20, 1833, the Reverend Friedrich Schmid arrived to help found one of Michigan's first German congregations. The church was formally organized on November 3, 1833, as the First German Evangelical Society of Scio. The next month, the congregation completed a modest log structure at the site of the present Bethlehem Cemetery. It built a second church at First and Washington in 1849, and in 1896 dedicated the present stone structure. From 1846 to 1916 the church conducted a parochial school. In 1945 the congregation became an Evangelical and Reformed church; it joined the United Church of Christ in 1958.

Erected 1983 by Michigan History Division, Department of State. (Marker Number L1046.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical date for this entry is August 20, 1833.

Location. 42° 16.613′ N,

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83° 44.838′ W. Marker is in Ann Arbor, Michigan, in Washtenaw County. It is in Germantown. It is on South Fourth Avenue, on the right when traveling north. Marker is about 250 feet north of Packard Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 423 South Fourth Avenue, Ann Arbor MI 48104, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Michigan

and in Greater Detroit.

It is also in the American Midwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Power and Transportation (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Everyone Loves a Parade (about 600 feet away); Ann Arbor Streetcars (about 600 feet away); Main Street Shopping Expands (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Main Street Shopping Experience (approx. 0.2 miles away); Changing Retail Patterns (approx. 0.2 miles away); Downtown Movie Theaters (approx. 0.2 miles away); Kempf House

Bethlehem United Church of Christ and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Joel Seewald, August 30, 2020

2. Bethlehem United Church of Christ and Marker

(approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ann Arbor.

Also see . . . Our Story. History of the church on the church's website. (Submitted on August 30, 2020, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)

Photographed by Joel Seewald, August 30, 2020

3. Bethlehem United Church of Christ Marker

Stone above the marker: Evangel. Bethlehem Kirche AD 1895

Photographed by Joel Seewald, August 30, 2020

4. Bethlehem United Church of Christ Marker

Nearby Covenant of Welcome sign.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 30, 2020, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 390 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 30, 2020, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.