First German (Zion's) Reformed Church (Detroit, MI)

Collection

Identifier: Church RG 304

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection contains the original church records of the First German (Zion's) Reformed Church from 1917-1953. Also included are newspaper clippings, published histories, photographs and legal records.

Missing from the collection are the original church records from 1849-1913. Every effort has been made to local these records with no success. It is possible that the records were destroyed when the church had a fire in March of 1914.

Dates

Creation: 1913 - 1953

Creator

First German (Zion's) Reformed Church (Detroit, MI) (Creator, Organization)

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research use.

Biographical / Historical

The First German (Zion's) Reformed Church (Detroit, MI) was organized by Rev. Abraham Berkey on November 20, 1849, and first began meeting in the Detroit City Hall. Shortly after organization, a brick building was erected on Croghan Street (now Monroe Avenue) and was dedicated on April 12, 1852.

In February of 1857, the church building on Croghan Street was sold to the Second Baptist Church of Detroit. Several lots had been purchased on Russell Street between Catherine and Sherman Streets where a new church building, parsonage, and school were constructed and later enlarged in 1862.

A third church building was constructed in 1890 at the corner of Chene and Jay Streets. Under the pastorate of Rev. Carl F. W. Hustedt, a schism occurred and a group of members organized Bethel Lutheran Church on March 6, 1898. In 1916, this building was sold and lots were purchased on the corner of Fischer and Canfield Streets.

Ground was broken for the new church and the cornerstone was laid on July 8, 1917. The church also changed its legal name to the First Evangelical Reformed Church of Detroit on October 10, 1917.

On March 23, 1952, the congregation merged with the neighboring Bethany Evangelical and Reformed Church to form First Bethany Evangelical and Reformed Church.

Ministers

Rev. Abraham Berkey (Berge), 1849-1952
Rev. Charles Becker, 1852-1854
Rev. Willaim Spies, 1854-1856
Rev. H. Hoff, 1857
Rev. Andrew Schroeder, 1857-1860
Rev. Charles Cast, 1860-1866
Rev. Peter Greding, 1866-1870
Rev. John Baumgartner, 1870-1873
Rev. John Niehoff, 1873-1876
Rev. William Hansen, 1876-1885
Rev. Carl F. W. Hustedt, 1886-1897
Rev. Christian A. Baum, D.D., 1898-1910
Rev. Frank Holden Rupnow, D.D., 1910-1913
Rev. Edward Louis Worthman, 1913-1916
Rev. Carl Frederick Heyl, 1917-1920
Rev. Louis Daniel Benner, 1921-1927
Rev. Norman Cyrus-Smith Dittes 1928-1945
Rev. Joaquin Paul Meyer, D.D., 1946-1951
Rev. Emil N. Krafft, 1951-1953

Extent

1.149 Cubic Feet (1 container)

Language of Materials

English

German

Additional Description

Abstract

The First German (Zion's) Reformed Church (Detroit, MI) was a congregation affiliated with the former Reformed Church in the United States. The church was organized by Rev. Abraham Berky on November 20, 1849. The collection contains church records, newspaper clippings, published histories, and legal documents.