First Congregational Church (Detroit, Michigan)

Infobox_nrhp | name =First Congregational Church
nrhp_type =


caption = First Congregational Church from across Woodward
location= Detroit, Michigan
lat_degrees = 42
lat_minutes = 21
lat_seconds = 19
lat_direction = N
long_degrees = 83
long_minutes = 3
long_seconds = 46
long_direction = W
locmapin = Michigan
area =
built =1891
architect= John Lyman Faxon; Albert Kahn
architecture= Other, Romanesque
added = June 04, 1979
governing_body = Private
refnum=79001173cite web|url=http://www.nr.nps.gov/|title=National Register Information System|date=2007-01-23|work=National Register of Historic Places|publisher=National Park Service] The First Congregational Church is located at 33 E. Forest (on the corner of Forest and Woodward Avenue) in Detroit, Michigan.

History

The First Congregational Church of Detroit was established on December 25, 1844. Two church buildings were built near the Detroit river. The third building was constructed at the present site in 1891, and was designed by architect John Faxon. An addition to the church, known as the Angel's Wing, was constructed in 1921 by Albert Kahn. [http://www.friendsoffirst.com/home/content.asp?ID=1 First Congregational Church of Detroit ] History page]

Architecture

The church is designed in the Richardson style, using rough-hewn, warm red limestone. The Woodward facade has a five-bay loggia, with a parapeted front gable. Above that are rounded windows with tracery framed by a rounded arch. The church also features a 120-foot campanile with many narrow arcades. The church is topped by an 8-foot copper figure of the Archangel Uriel. [http://www.detroit1701.org/FirstCongregational.htm First Congregational Church] from Detroit1701]

The church is patterned after churches found in Venice and Ravenna. The sanctuary boasts carved wood, ceiling portraits, rose windows and sumptuous colors.

First Congregational Living Museum

The church offers exhibits about the historical and architectural aspects of the church, its buildings and activities. Visitors can go on self-guided tours of the historic facilities and buildings.

The church also hosts the Underground Railroad Living Museum, a storytelling simulation of the original Underground Railroad.

External links

* [http://www.friendsoffirst.com/home/ First Congregational Church] website
* [http://www.the-ugrr.org/ Underground Railroad Living Museum]

References