Near Ann Arbor in Washtenaw County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Thomas Church / Saint Thomas Cemetery
Thomas Church
In 1833 the Basel Mission Institute of Switzerland sent Friedrick Schmid as its first missionary to the United States. Schmid is credited with founding some twenty churches in Michigan, including the Thomas Church. At first Thomas and Anna Roth hosted services in their home. In 1844 they sold land to the Thomas Church for a sanctuary. According to tradition the church was named for Thomas Roth. The present edifice comprises and 1874 church and 1965 additions. Services in German were held exclusively until 1935, then once per month until the late 1950s.
St. Thomas Cemetery
In 1844 Thomas and Anna Roth, and John and Christina Maser each sold a three-quarter acre of land to the Thomas Church. Members plotted a cemetery and erected a church on the parcel. The earliest burial occurred in 1844. More than one hundred graves date from the nineteenth century and are marked with decorative vertical headstones. German funerary art - weeping willows, clasped hands and parted curtains coupled with German script and plant motifs - prevail here.
Erected 1994 by Michigan Historical Center, Michigan Department of State. (Marker Number L1857.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Churches & Religion • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1844.
Location. 42° 13.523′ N, 83° 55.511′ W. Marker is near Ann Arbor, Michigan, in Washtenaw County. Marker is at the intersection of West Ellsworth Road and Haab Road, on the right when traveling east on West Ellsworth Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 10001 W Ellsworth Rd, Ann Arbor MI 48103, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Zion Lutheran Church (approx. 2.7 miles away); Bethel Church (approx. 3.1 miles away); Jerusalem (approx. 4˝ miles away); Salem Church (approx. 6 miles away); Vermont Cemetery (approx. 6.6 miles away); Bridgewater Town Hall (approx. 7.4 miles away); a different marker also named Bridgewater Town Hall (approx. 7.4 miles away); Blacksmith Shop (approx. 7.7 miles away).
Credits. This page was last revised on June 21, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 1, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 163 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on April 1, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. 7. submitted on June 21, 2023, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.