Christ Church
Detroit
Parish Profile
October 2007
www.christcd.org
MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of Christ Church is to be a diverse, inclusive
community which, through its lively worship of Jesus
Christ and witness in His name, serves the Christ in all
persons, and stands as a beacon of hope in the heart of
Detroit.
Christ Church
Detroit, Michigan Page 2
CHRIST CHURCH DETROIT
PARISH PROFILE
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Welcome
4
Community Profile – The Detroit Metropolitan Area
5
Church History
8
The Episcopal Diocese of Michigan
10
Church Membership
11
Worship
12
Music Ministry
14
Christian Education
15
Parish Organization and Activities
16
Outreach
18
Church Properties
19
Finance and Budget
21
Christ Church Staff
22
Parish Officers, Vestry Members and Search Committee
23
Parish Location
24
Christ Church
Detroit, Michigan Page 3
Welcome to the Christ Church Detroit
Parish Profile
We have created this Profile to give individuals interested in becoming the next Rector of Christ
Church a better understanding of our interesting parish.
Christ Church is an endowed, program-sized parish, located in downtown Detroit. The
congregation has over 500 communicants and an average Sunday attendance of approximately 175
people. Housed in a beautiful 145 year-old church building, the parish has a lively history and a
diverse, inclusive, warm and active congregation drawn from throughout the metropolitan Detroit
area. Eucharistically-centered, the Parish values vibrant preaching, professional service music, active
lay ministry, and quality Christian education for both adults and children.
Showing its commitment to the Parish, the congregation recently pledged $1.9 million to fund
capital improvements, currently underway, to the church properties. Of note, a significant portion
of these funds are being devoted to improved and expanded Christian education space.
After nearly 80 years of decline, the downtown
residential community in the church’s immediate
neighborhood shows signs of revitalization in
the form of new riverfront condominium
developments.
This trend promises new
possibilities for the Parish to become, once
again, more of a neighborhood church.
The congregation seeks to grow through new
programs and initiatives that reach out to the
neighboring community and the wider metro
area. Through growth, the Parish hopes to
increase revenue and lower its endowment drawdown. In addition to numerical growth, the congregation hopes to grow in faith and to find
increased opportunities for lay ministry. We see our new Rector assisting us to become better
equipped for ministry and helping us improve our response to pastoral care needs.
As such, the Parish is looking for an individual who will:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Plan and lead worship & preaching sensitive to the needs of the Congregation
Oversee congregational growth and lay leadership development
Promote Christian formation/spiritual development of all ages
Provide quality pastoral care
Detroit is not always an easy place. Like many urban areas, it has economic problems, a history of
racism, crime and a cold winter. But, we at Christ Church Detroit try to live out our mission
statement -- to be a small beacon of hope in a city of many needs. Is God calling you to Christ
Church?
Christ Church
Detroit, Michigan Page 4
Community Profile
The Detroit Metropolitan Area
Early history of the area
Christ Church’s home was familiar ground to the Native Americans and the early European
explorers. In 1701 the French Canadian authorities at Quebec ordered Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac
to descend from the area of St. Ignace and Mackinac (where Lakes Huron and Superior nearly
intersect), to the lower lakes and build a new fort to extend the French fur trade. He chose the
narrowest part of the more southerly chain of lakes and rivers (between Lakes Huron and Erie),
which he called “le Detroit” (or in English, the “strait” or the “narrows”). Cadillac built the fort
next to the existing Odawa and Ojibwa settlements. Detroit has been a multi-ethnic community ever
since, and includes a close relationship with the people of Windsor, Ontario, Canada, which is just
across the Detroit River on the south bank. Christ Church is located in downtown Detroit, on the
north bank. The riverside of our parking lot was the riverbank, before the filling of the marshy
edge.
Industrialization of the area
In the nineteenth century the natural resources of the upper lakes (lumber, copper, and iron ore)
were brought south by ship; coal came north to Detroit by ship and railroad. These raw materials
were used in the Civil War and thereafter to build railway cars, lake vessels, carriages and engines.
Diversity of the area
To meet the fast-growing city’s labor and professional needs, additional workers were recruited from
Europe, the Middle East, and from the southern United States. Periodic peaks of the economic
cycles brought labor shortages, which allowed racial and ethnic minorities (and, in World War II,
women) to obtain better jobs in the auto and service industries of the city. High wages provided the
Detroit metropolitan area with one of the largest racially and ethnically diverse upper middle class
populations in the entire United States. These same periodic economic cycles brought technological
unemployment, racism and class segregation (including the 1967 riot) and have left a large urban
underclass within the City of Detroit.
Current status of the city
The metropolitan area is one of the least
dense urban areas in the United States. The
city of Detroit has many neighborhoods with
empty spaces due to suburban sprawl, loss of
jobs and the building of the freeway network.
The recent surge of new construction in the
downtown area and the neighborhoods is
desirable if Detroit is to continue to be a
major city. The metropolitan area is the
tenth largest metropolitan area in the United
States as defined by the US Census Bureau
July 1, 2006, estimated census.
The Detroit Skyline: Looking Across the Detroit River from Windsor
Christ Church
Detroit, Michigan Page 5
The wealth generated by the manufacturing industries located in the area has provided the
infrastructure necessary for a modern urban area with the exception of a rapid transit system.
Detroit has high quality religious and cultural institutions, and a highly skilled, educated, technical
and professional work force. Detroit’s diversity, however, may hold the greatest promise for the
future, as modern technology and communication bring the world’s people closer.
Christ Church has drawn the diverse people of the metropolitan area to worship together in our
congregation. Our central location is well positioned to take advantage of downtown Detroit’s city
amenities, while several nearby expressways offer easy access to the neighborhoods and more distant
suburbs. The Civic Center is nearby, along the foot of Woodward Avenue, the north-south axis of
the city. The Civic Center is a complex of buildings, which house business, city and county
government as well as Cobo Hall the site of the 1988 General Convention. The skyscrapers of the
Renaissance Center, an office and hotel complex opened in 1977, include the world headquarters of
General Motors Corporation and one of the world’s tallest hotels, the Detroit Marriott (formerly the
Westin Hotel).
Most of the cultural and educational institutions have developed along Woodward Avenue over the
years. These include:
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Wayne State University – Recent expansion has attracted new businesses and housing
The Detroit Institute of Arts – November 2007, will see the completion of $60 million
worth of capital improvements.
Orchestra Hall – The world class Detroit Symphony Orchestra recently returned to the
newly restored and expanded facilities of this acoustically perfect building.
The Detroit Opera House – The Michigan Opera Theatre, one of the finest regional opera
companies, recently moved to this renovated and restored theatre.
The Detroit Medical Center – This institution is home to the largest medical school on one
campus (Wayne State University) and consists of several health care facilities.
Other venerable institutions on or near Woodward Ave. are the Main Public Library, the Museum of
African-American History, the Detroit
Historical Museum, the Children’s Museum,
the International Institute (which celebrates
the life of new and old immigrants), the
Detroit Science Center, the Fox Theatre and
the Music Hall.
All but one of the major sports venues is
within walking distance of Christ Church.
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Ford Field, a new stadium for the
Lions hosted Super Bowl XL and will
host the NCAA Final Four in 2009.
Comerica Park, home of the Tigers,
is a little older than Ford Field and
hosted the 2005 All-Star Game and
the 2006 World Series.
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Detroit, Michigan Page 6
·
Joe Louis Arena, next to Cobo Hall, has been the home of the Detroit Red Wings for many
years.
The larger metropolitan area boasts Meadow Brook, an outdoor theater where many groups
including the Detroit Symphony Orchestra perform in the summer; Cranbrook Academy with its
science and arts programs, museum and gardens; the Detroit Zoo; and The Henry Ford (formally
known as Greenfield Village and the Henry Ford Museum), with its extensive collection of restored
antique buildings and enormous collection of historical artifacts, machinery and vehicles.
New excitement and vitality is felt in the downtown area. Besides the restoration and renovation of
some of the older institutions in the city, many new developments are underway. Suburbanites and
young people are moving back to the city, many to older buildings being converted to lofts. New
hotels are being built to coincide with the expansion of the three casinos operating in the city. Many
restaurants have opened and downtown couldn’t have been more alive than it was in the fall of 2006
when the Tigers moved from the bottom of the ladder in 2005 to become the American League
Champions and play in the World Series in 2006. Three of the most exciting developments to open
are within walking distance of Christ Church.
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Compuware Corporation recently moved its headquarters to downtown Detroit into a newly
built building housing offices and retail.
Campus Martius Park in the center of the city is a result of a public/private sector
partnership between the City of Detroit and Detroit Conservancy. It has quickly become a
space where all come together to relax, enjoy, play and celebrate Detroit. An ice skating rink
is open in the winter months and concerts and movies are held in warmer weather.
The Riverwalk, a large portion of which opened in the summer of 2007 will, when
completed, provide uninterrupted miles of riverfront access. Already it has become a
favorite place for everyone to enjoy the scenery and river breezes on a summer’s day or
evening.
The Carrousel on the Riverwalk just south of the Church
Christ Church
Detroit, Michigan Page 7
Church History
Christ Church Detroit occupies the oldest, continuously used Protestant religious site in the City of
Detroit. The parish was founded in May of 1845, when a group of people who had been
worshipping at St. Paul’s Church (now the Cathedral Church of St. Paul) decided that their parish
had become too crowded. They purchased the present site on Jefferson Avenue near the heart of
downtown close to the Detroit River. Detroit at that time had a population of 13,000. Founders of
the congregation included Henry N. Walker, owner and editor of the Detroit Free Press, and
Charles Christopher Trowbridge, banker and philanthropist, whose descendents still worship at
Christ Church. After the initial frame structure was completed, the first service was conducted
May 31, 1846.
By the 1860’s Jefferson Avenue was a street of
gracious homes and stately elms. Many of Detroit’s
civic, industrial, and cultural leaders lived in this
neighborhood. The cornerstone from the present
stone structure was laid in 1861 under the urging of
Rector Benjamin Paddock, later to become Bishop
of Connecticut, whose descendents are still in the
area. The church prospered as a neighborhood
parish.
From the start, Christ Church was active within the
community. The church and its congregation have
been especially durable, enjoying many fine years and
weathering many other years when its future seemed
uncertain at best. Jefferson Avenue gradually
changed from an elegant residential neighborhood in
1900 to a decaying semi-industrial sector in 1930.
Christ Church has managed to shift its approaches
to meet the needs at hand. As parishioners left the
neighborhood, Christ Church sponsored five new
congregations, including Church of the Messiah in
Detroit and a chapel, which became Christ Church
Grosse Pointe.
During the Maxon years (the Rev. William Maxon 1899-1933), a group of Syrian families who lived
in the area began meeting in the parish house. They had no Syrian Orthodox priest of their own at
that time, and eventually they joined the congregation. Many of these families have remained, and
we now have 5th generation Syrian families.
It was fortunate that the prosperous years of the late 1800’s and early 1900’s brought Christ Church
a sizable endowment. During the late 1940’s and through the 50’s membership declined, as it did at
many downtown churches, due to the construction of the expressways and exodus to the suburbs of
many members. There was serious discussion about razing the building and moving the remnants
of the congregation to the Grosse Pointe location. The Syrians and a core group of parishioners
Christ Church
Detroit, Michigan Page 8
Christ Church -- Early 1950s
from Indian Village, a nearby historic residential
neighborhood, joined together to keep Christ
Church in the city. During the 1950’s and 1960’s
the church gradually added new members,
including African-Americans and members of the
gay community. Under two rectors, the Rev.
Samuel Shoemaker Johnston (1971-1980) and the
Rev. Ervin A. Brown, III (1981-1995), the parish
enjoyed a growth in spirit and members. In May
of 1995 Christ Church celebrated 150 years of
distinguished service to the community. That
same year saw the publication of the 150-year
history, Christ Church Detroit, A Beacon of Hope,
written by the Rev. Brown.
Since 1995 the parish has had three interim rectors as well as two rectors. All have brought their
own style and perspectives to help us learn what it means to be a Christian and Episcopalian in
Detroit today. We have maintained older traditions such as the Hafli, the Syrian dinner dance
fundraiser, and have begun new ones such as the Journey to Adulthood and Rite 13 programs for
our youth. Following the Rev. Brown, the parish called the Rev. Russell Johnson as its 16th Rector.
His ministry was a challenging one for him and for the parish, and he accepted a new call two years
later. His ministry was followed by an intentional interim until the call of the 17th Rector, the
Rev. Phillip A. Jackson. Under the leadership of Rev. Jackson, the Parish added many new members
and the number of children in our Sunday school program grew. Pledges increased and we
completed a $1.8 million capital campaign. After six years, Rev. Jackson moved to Arizona to allow
his wife to assume a challenging position at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale. While Rev. Jackson’s
departure was a sad event for the Parish, as our recent Questionnaire results show, the congregation
maintains a high level of enthusiasm for the future.
Under our current interim Rector, new life is being brought to the parish committee structure,
tapping new lay leadership and reviving some of the seasoned leaders. The lay leadership and
congregation are ready to form a relationship with a new rector, and continuously search for what it
means to be members of the Body of Christ in the world.
We are optimistic about our future, which looks especially bright given our proximity to downtown
Detroit and its rebirth. In addition to established nearby residential areas known as Lafayette and
Elmwood Parks, more residential construction is underway. For the last forty years our immediate
surroundings have been expressways, light industrial and commercial buildings. Both the state and
the city have committed to redeveloping the riverfront and land that was originally purchased for
casino development will now be dedicated to new residential and commercial projects. Combined
with the new development and interest in urban living, Christ Church is in the fortuitous position of
finding a brand new neighborhood building up around us. “The Lord willing and the creek don’t
rise,” one of these developments, Watermark Detroit, a $60 million luxury residential project, is
scheduled to break ground in the fall of 2007 and when finished will be our nearest neighbor. Other
projects and developments have received approval but have not announced any starting date. We
are looking forward to sharing the Christ Church experience with our new neighbors.
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Detroit, Michigan Page 9
The Episcopal Diocese Of Michigan
The Diocese of Michigan is comprised of 93 congregations located in the southeastern
quadrant of the state of Michigan, and the see city is Detroit. The Bishop, Wendell N.
Gibbs, is the 10th Bishop of Michigan and is in the 7th year of his episcopate.
Christ Church has always been committed to the life of the diocese. We make every effort to
pay our asking in full each year, and members of the congregation serve in diocesan
positions. The Chancellor of the diocese is a member of Christ Church, and we have
members serving on various committees including diocesan council and the board of
trustees. Christ Church is a member of the newly invigorated Detroit Deanery whose
members are the clergy and delegates to diocesan Convention.
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Detroit, Michigan Page 10
Church Membership
Membership trends are never totally predictable, but Christ Church has continually attracted new
members. Perhaps that attraction is due to the fact that we are diverse community of faith coming
from different ethnic, social and economic backgrounds and hold a wide variety of political and
theological ideologies. Current on-the-rolls membership is about 215 families. A steady stream of
newcomers attend Christ Church. The process of identifying and encouraging regular attendance of
these newcomers has posed a challenge.
We draw membership from every geographical zone
within the Detroit metropolitan area. Several families come from 30 to 40 miles away; others
commute from Windsor, Ontario, while others live in the immediate neighborhood. The parish has
a number of families with young children; we see the need to attract more young families in order to
maintain a vibrant parish. Many members are single, divorced, or widowed.
We are basically a middle to upper-middle class parish. Many of our members are hardworking selfachievers who have grown from more humble beginnings. There is wide distribution in terms of
both age and ethnic background which is gratifying for an Episcopal parish. Nonetheless, a majority
of the parishioners are Caucasian, of whom the descendants of the early Syrian-Americans and their
spouses constitute a significant portion, perhaps 25% of parishioners (unless, of course, you don’t
count the day of the Hafli, Syrian dinner dance). Then everyone is Syrian! Approximately 15% are
African-Americans.
The overall membership ranges from relatively conservative to very liberal. This diversity
occasionally requires care and attention on the part of the rector, the vestry and the congregation.
We do wish to remain a diverse community providing a welcome to all.
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Detroit, Michigan Page 11
Worship
A visitor to Christ Church Detroit would have no trouble identifying it as an Episcopal
congregation. From the opening prelude that prepares one for worship to the closing hymn and
blessing that sends us out into the world we are reminded that our chief end is to glorify and praise
God forever. Sermons seldom stray from the appointed lectionary readings and the music is chosen
to support and enhance those readings. Communion is open to all baptized Christians, including
young children who participate with their families. An “extended altar rail” has been initiated with
Eucharistic Ministers assisting in taking communion to shut-ins. We are working to extend the
number of EM’s and the frequency with which our extended congregation has an opportunity to
participate in the Eucharist.
Two Eucharists are held each
Sunday, both utilizing Rite II.
We sometimes use material
from
“Enriching
Our
Worship”. In the last two years
we
have
celebrated
a
Wednesday noon Eucharist
during the school year. The
8:15 Sunday Eucharist, is a
spoken service. The 10:30
service incorporates music.
During the school year the
choir sings at least one anthem
and leads the congregation in
singing the hymns and
responses. Breakfast is served
between services and a coffee
hour follows the 10:30 service. Some might say that providing treats at coffee hour has become a
competitive sport as many people have had to cancel brunch plans because they have eaten too
much.
The Sunday School has established a Worship Center for children ages five through eight during the
first part of the 10:30 a.m. service. The children then join the congregation just prior to The Great
Thanksgiving. It is a part of the joy of congregational life that we see the children of this church
participate in worship at various times throughout the year. We witness their baptism, watch them
grow up as they sing on special Sunday’s, begin their performance careers as sheep and work their
way up to speaking parts in the Christmas pageant on Christmas Eve, celebrate the first time they
serve as acolytes, watch them receive communion at the altar with their parents and siblings and give
their senior speech, usually on Mother’s Day. Worshipping together as families and as a part of a
caring community is the core of our life here at Christ Church Detroit.
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Detroit, Michigan Page 12
Special services throughout the year have included:
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The late afternoon family Christmas Eve service that features the “best Christmas pageant
ever.”
A beautiful candlelight Christmas Eve Service with special music.
Christmas Day Eucharist
A Festival of Lights service at Epiphany
Noontime Eucharist during Holy Week
A lamb dinner followed by the Maunday Thursday service that includes the washing of feet
and the stripping of the altar.
Good Friday Liturgy that includes special music usually including a small orchestra
A special service has replaced the 10:30 service on the Sunday in October when the Detroit
Marathon is run since it has proven almost impossible to get to church through the police
blockades.
Blessing of the Animals
The congregation uses resources that enrich the Book of Common Prayer. We are comfortable
with language, images and metaphors that capture the diverse experience of those who gather to
worship, and the sacramental rites which fashion and identify us as the People of God. Christ
Church is a multi-racial, multi-national and multi-ethnic congregation. We are sufficiently traditional
that charismatic and evangelical forms of “prayers and praise” would not be a good fit. On the
other hand, our members of Syrian heritage frequently observe the forty-day commemoration of a
death, and would be interested in the new rite, A Service of Remembrance, provided in Enriching Our
Worship 3, just published this year.
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Detroit, Michigan Page 13
Music Ministry
A quality music program has always been important to Christ Church and a consistent service to
evangelism. Many members would say that the music, the anthems, the participation in the singing
of the hymns, the organ and the beauty of the psalm singing was what initially attracted them to
Christ Church and certainly what brought them back for a return visit.
Instruments used in worship include:
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A 70 rank Casavant organ with a
separate antiphonal organ in the
balcony.
A smaller tracker organ in the nave for
early music.
A grand piano
A harpsichord owned by the present
music director
The chancel choir of about 25 members is
selected by audition. Approximately one-third
are professional vocalists or scholarship students the rest are parish volunteers. The choir sings an
offertory anthem and will most likely sing a Communion anthem also. The choral repertoire relies
heavily on traditional and contemporary Anglican and American anthems and spirituals.
(Instructions to the choir when singing spirituals, “Don’t sound like Episcopalians!”….and they
don’t!)
In 1994, a fund-raising project led to the purchase of a set of handbells. Our handbell choir includes
members of all ages who perform regularly during the church year.
The children are encouraged and enthusiastically received when they sing in church at least twice a
year. Training has been a part of their participation in Sunday School.
Besides the regular Sunday service, the music program offers special services from time to time
throughout the year.
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·
The Christmas Eve service begins with a full half hour of special music for the occasion
usually a shortened version of lessons and carols
The Good Friday service, a meaningful and moving liturgy, has been enhanced by the
presentation of appropriate music. In the last five years the choir with a small orchestra has
sung the Faure Requiem, the Durefle Requiem, the Rutter Requiem, appropriate passages
from Handel’s Messiah, and the Bach Cantata #106 “God’s Time Is Best”.
Parish members often celebrate special occasions in their lives by funding special music. A music
endowment fund has created a small but growing income to assist with the music program.
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Detroit, Michigan Page 14
Christian Education
Christ Church values the importance of a strong Christian Education program. The adult program
supports weekday Bible study, Advent and Lenten series, baptism, confirmation and marriage
classes. The Church hosts one Sunday adult discussion group focusing on Bible study.
The youth church school has an enrollment of 65 members. Classes begin at age four and continue
through senior high school. We provide nursery care. The church school operates for an hour on
Sunday morning with a volunteer staff of 10 teachers. The church school’s mission is defined as
teaching Christian tenets, Biblical history, and Christian responsibility.
The assistant to the rector in charge of Christian Education is charged with the responsibility of
keeping the program running effectively.
Christ Church has implemented the Journey to Adulthood program, for its adolescent youth. Rite
13 is the beginning of a separate program for middle school children. The J2A program for high
school youth is a highly structured program, which provides the church’s young members with
spiritual and educational tools to face the challenges of today’s world. The mixture of fun, travel
and education has resulted in a highly successful program, which our young adults acknowledge as
having a positive influence on their lives. Four successful pilgrimages have been made thus far.
We consider the continuation of a strong Christian Education program a high priority.
A Portion of the Worship Center children & teachers
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Detroit, Michigan Page 15
Parish Organizations and Activities
During the interim period, we are rejuvenating the committee structure to help us in our conscious
growth toward a program size parish. New and/or rejuvenated committees include a web team,
stewardship committee, chapel planning team, building and grounds, membership, finance, and
staffing plan working group. A renewed pastoral ministry team is under the leadership of our
Deacon, Joyce Treppa. Membership on most committees is open to anyone interested in the
subject. Committees meet as often as necessary. Vestry meetings are open, and some parishioners
attend regularly.
Three or four greeters are on duty each week and are officially charged with looking out for
newcomers, although the entire parish is encouraged to welcome guests. The greeters try to
encourage newcomers to come to the coffee hour. Our altar guild is composed of 17 members.
Ushering duties are shared by men, women and children. The Eucharistic Ministers are an active
group, and we have both EM’s and Visitors. There is a rotating group of lectors.
Each spring the parish participates in “The Motor City Makeover,” a city-wide clean-up. We spruce
up the church grounds and the Sperry-Mackey Park adjacent to the parking lot. We also try to
“spring clean” the rest of the block. This is followed by
a Gardening Day in late May when all gardeners young
and old come to church in their “work clothes” and
bring tools for a morning of planting flowers.
The prayer chain began about 20 years ago with a few
parishioners who wished to pray together for friends
who were suffering from illness, loss, or crisis situations.
The number of intercessors has grown along with the
use of the prayer chain, and now people on the list are
being prayed for almost twelve hours a day, seven days a
week.
The Building and Grounds Committee is at this time
being reconstituted to determine future priorities for
building improvements and oversee the maintenance of
this 140+ year old edifice. Gardening Committee
members are active in weeding and tending various
gardens. In 1987 we established a combined library and
archives. One volunteer has maintained it on a weekly
basis since. She updates the book/periodical collection,
organizes the files for “Chronicles”, the monthly
newsletter, files the vestry minutes and Sunday bulletins.
These documents along with the Annual Meeting
minutes and reports are bound each year. They date
back to 1845. All membership records from 1845 to the
present have been recorded on compact discs.
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Detroit, Michigan Page 16
In 1992 we started the “Shepherd Program” to improve intra-parish communication and it is now
being revised to meet the modern age of communication, i.e. e-mail communication to those who
have an address.
A Men’s Group was organized in 1997, which resulted in four Sunday morning breakfast teams.
These teams prepare a breakfast for participants at the 8:15 service, and for those arriving early to
attend Church School.
The Parish Activities Committee is an active group that organizes theater outings, cruises, the annual
Christmas party at the Detroit Yacht Club and other occasional parties and outings. If you want
advice on planning a great party go to co-chairs Harold & Marilyn. They are the hosts with the
most!
The most recent group to form is one based upon a common interest in needle arts. Two years ago
an announcement in the bulletin asking that anyone interested in forming a knitting group should
meet in the parlor in Sibley House. About 25 women showed up! Today between 10-15 women
meet in various homes on a monthly basis for fellowship and to knit or sew shawls for members in
need of comfort or for charities in need of hand made items.
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Detroit, Michigan Page 17
Outreach
Christ Church’s call to outreach to our neighbors and the world has changed over the years. When
we were truly a neighborhood church at the turn of the last century we ministered to our Syrian
neighbors by providing a social worker and activities. As the neighborhood changed so has our
mission.
In recent years we spent hours trying to discern our true calling. We have decided in the short run
to provide financial and people support to organizations that are already doing a good job such as
Habitat for Humanity and Gleaners Community Food Bank. The Outreach Committee is very
active and provides parish members with information about opportunities for service. This past
year the Lenten Study Group focused on the Millennium Development Goals and projects will no
doubt grow from this study.
In the past we had a yoked relationship with Trinity Church a small racially integrated parish located
in one of the more economically depressed areas of Detroit. Although we no longer share that
relationship parish volunteers still staff the soup kitchen at Trinity in the months with a fifth
Saturday.
Over the years, Christ Church has been
involved in a wide variety of other
community outreach programs such as
Crossroads, Combined Episcopal Services
Appeal, Meals on Wheels, Episcopal Relief &
Development, United Thank Offering and
the NOAH Project for which we provide
bag lunches for the homeless.
Christ Church is one of the few downtown
churches that provides a walk-in ministry for
homeless people and others in need of
assistance. This program is staffed by one
loyal volunteer and financed with outreach
money, the loose offering one Sunday per month, as well as individual contributions.
We participate in a “rotating shelter” program for homeless adults and children each year. These
persons are fed and housed at the church during one week in the winter, and over 100 parishioners
volunteer in this endeavor.
For many years, Christ Church has opened its doors to Alcoholics Anonymous, an Al Anon chapter
and Gamblers Anonymous.
The Riverfront East Political Alliance (REAL), a community organization devoted to fair
development of the riverfront area also meets regularly.
Lastly, in 1998 the vestry established a policy that 10% of any bequest to Christ Church greater than
$5,000 is automatically tithed to the Outreach Fund. Currently that fund contains $141,000.
Christ Church
Detroit, Michigan Page 18
Church Properties
For over a century and a half there has been a structure on the property occupied by Christ Church
Detroit today. From a frame structure erected in 1846 to the present day capital campaign project,
stewards of this historic property have been cognizant of the fact that they are fortunate to have
such a beautiful place to worship God. Christ Church campus is made up of four buildings built at
different times to meet the needs of a growing congregation. Two parking lots are also a part of the
church properties.
The main church building, designed by English architect Gordon W. Lloyd, was built in stages from
1861-1864 and is said to be one of the nation’s finest examples of American Gothic architecture. It
has been designated a State and National Historic Site. The bell tower, completed in 1863, holds the
oldest set of chimes in Detroit. Each bell is cast with a biblical inscription and the name of the
donor. The chancel was enlarged and lengthened in 1903, when it became customary for Episcopal
churches to seat fully-vested choirs in the chancel (previously, the choir had been in the transept
balconies). The entire church interior has been described as a great “symphony of carved wood,
stained glass (two windows are from the Tiffany Studios), mosaics and memorial plaques.” A large
complement of needlepoint cushions and altar carpet, stitched by parishioners, adorn the sanctuary
and the chapel. A columbarium is located behind the west transept in the baptistry. As a testimony
to the faith of many members of this congregation and the part Christ Church plays in their life, it is
an inspiration to see many people stop in the columbarium on their way back from communion to
“visit” family and friends.
Ledyard Hall, built in the 1920’s, houses a kitchen,
an assembly room, rest rooms and Sunday School
classrooms. At one time the assembly room was
used as a gymnasium and it is known that Joe
Louis trained and boxed there. The lofty girded
height of that room still reminds us of the days it
was an active neighborhood sports center.
An extension to Ledyard Hall was built in the
1950’s to house Cary Lounge and church and staff
offices which were recently moved.
Facing Jefferson Ave. is Sibley House, built in
1848 by the widow of Solomon Sibley, the first
mayor of Detroit and the first Federal Judge in the
State of Michigan. It is the oldest standing frame
house in Detroit and has served as the rectory as
well as housing church offices from time to time.
The building has also been rented to outside
organizations. The most recent occupant was a
small Jewish congregation.
The church has a parking lot on the west side of Ledyard Hall ­­ Main Space for large gatherings
Christ Church
Detroit, Michigan Page 19
the building and larger parking lot across the street behind the church. The larger lot is currently
rented to the University of Detroit/Mercy School of Law for their students when not being used for
church functions.
We rejoice that we have such a beautiful place to worship but we are aware that there are
responsibilities attached to maintaining an historic building and challenges related to adapting space
to meet the needs of today. Over the years the congregation has prioritized wants and needs and
managed to design successful capital campaigns to address those needs. The current project that
will be completed by Advent 2007 achieves the following objectives:
·
·
·
A new entrance from Woodbridge that would have equal importance to the Gordon Lloyd
Jefferson entrance
An entry to the sanctuary that allows for unimpeded flow into the Church and all parts of
the facility which are barrier free
Significant attention to and expansion of all aspects of the Christian Education spaces
In the process of addressing the above, the following issues evolved and were specifically addressed:
·
·
·
·
Moving the business, Rector’s and other offices to Sibley House
Abatement of hazardous materials
Significant upgrades in safety, electrical and HVAC
Improved access to Sibley House
The by product of any study such as the one we have undertaken in the last five years is that
additional projects are identified and await funding. Maintaining, preserving and improving our
facilities is a never ending responsibility as we continue our witness here in downtown Detroit.
Christ Church
Detroit, Michigan Page 20
Finance and Budget
Christ Church Detroit is one of the few Episcopal churches in the city of Detroit that is financially
viable and one of the strongest parishes in the Diocese financially. The strength of our financial
health can be attributed to many factors including:
The average pledge has increased in the last five years from $1,700.00 in 2002 to $2,200.00 in 2006
even though the number of pledges has fluctuated from a high of 173 to a low of 156.
Christ Church has been blessed with many gifts to the endowment over the more than a century and
a half of its history. The managers of that endowment have been good stewards and the
approximately $2.3 million available at the end of 2006 is at an amount that is not so big that we can
be complacent in our own stewardship or not so small that we cannot afford to spend some to
achieve worthwhile goals. While we have relied on withdrawals from the endowment to meet the
expenses of the operating budget for many years, the actual amount of the withdrawal has decreased
from a high of $203,000 to last year’s draw of $194,000. When expressed as a percentage of the
budget paid by the endowment we have decreased that reliance from 35% to 29%.
In response to one of the statements in the questionnaire that was distributed to the congregation,
100 out of 114 said that they agreed that there is a sense of excitement about the future of Christ
Church and that the morale of the congregation was positive. This confidence in the future has
been tangibly demonstrated by the success of two capital campaigns in the last 18 years. The first
campaign organized to celebrate the Sesquicentennial raised $800,000 and addressed many urgent
structural repairs to the church building and the restoration of the large stained glass window behind
the altar. In 2005 the congregation, after three years of study, undertook a campaign to raise money
to address three of the most important identified priorities (see details in Church Properties section).
At the completion of the fund drive $1.5 Million had been pledged or donated to be paid over a
three year period and at the end of the first year of the campaign over 58% had already been
collected. In addition the vestry voted to dedicate some recent undesignated bequests for the
capital campaign. Construction began in April on this $1.85 million project and should be
completed by Advent 2007.
While past performance would support a cautiously optimistic view of the financial future of Christ
Church we are aware that we are faced with many challenges to insure that future. Although we are
hopeful and are planning for congregational growth, that expectation is not guaranteed. Regardless
of our expectations for the future we realize that in order to be a vital, vibrant congregation in 2020
we must work to achieve these long term goals.
·
·
·
·
·
Reduce the draw on the endowment to pay operating budget expenses
Continue to increase pledge and plate contributions via well organized stewardship
campaigns
Increase the number of pledging units and the number of pledging units that tithe
Identify and increase additional sources of revenue, i.e. facilities fees and project specific
fund raising activities
Provide information and seminars on planned giving
Christ Church
Detroit, Michigan Page 21
Christ Church Staff
Christ Church’s staff currently includes an Interim Rector, an Assistant to the Rector in Charge of
Christian Education, an Assistant to the Rector for Music, office administrator, an administrative
assistant, a sexton, a security guard, and a housekeeper/cook. There are a number of clergy (some
of whom are members), including a deacon, who assist as needed. In the past, we have had full-time
and part-time assistants.
There are numerous “permanent” volunteers, including the church treasurer. A volunteer
coordinator arranges for extra office help with a regular schedule of volunteer workers.
There is a tradition of strong lay involvement, which is diverse, well-educated, abundant and reliable.
A volunteer creates the monthly newsletter, “Chronicles,” which keeps parishioners up to date
regarding happenings at Christ Church. The newsletter has received blue ribbons for excellence in
journalism from a diocesan sponsored contest. A group of volunteers regularly processes the
newsletter for mailing.
Current Staff Members:
The Rev. Carol Cole Flanagan, Interim Rector
The Rev. Geoffrey Piper, Assistant to the Rector for Christian Education
The Rev. Joyce Treppa, Deacon
Mr. Jeffrey Walker, Assistant to the Rector for Music Ministry
Mrs. Joanne M. Case, Office & Business Administrator
The Rev. Canon Saundra D. Richardson, Administrative Assistant
Mr. Alvin Clark, Sexton/Security Guard
Mr. Keith Lucas, Sexton
Mrs. Carolyn Lucas, Nursery
Ms. Eloisa Lopez, Housekeeper
Retired Clergy Assisting:
The Rev. Canon William Logan
The Rev. Rollin Norris
Christ Church
Detroit, Michigan Page 22
Parish Officers and Vestry Members
Officers of Christ Church Detroit
Melissa Cragg (2008)
Lamar Richardson (2008)
Janet Weir
Kathryn Ellis
Josephine Mashour
Senior Warden
Junior Warden
Treasurer
Secretary
Volunteer Coordinator
The Christ Church Detroit Vestry
Charles Atwater
Melissa Cragg
Lamar Richardson
Betty Warner
David Chivas
Patsy Coleman
Bill Fleming
David Wood
John Williams
Genet Barthwell
Jon Campbell
Marjorie Hughes
Howard Matthew
Theresa Zajac
(2008)
(2008)
(2008)
(2008)
(2009)
(2009)
(2009)
(2009)
(2009)
(2010)
(2010)
(2010)
(2010)
(2010)
Search Committee Members
Philip Campbell
David Chivas
Miriam Costandi
Tom Cragg (Co-Chair)
David Jackson (Co-Chair)
Howard Matthew
Marilyn Shahly (Co-Chair)
Lisa Staif (Corresponding Secretary)
Betty Warner
Sue Webb
Janet Weir
Theresa Zajac
Christ Church
Detroit, Michigan Page 23
Parish Location
In addition to the small map provided below, we urge interested candidates to use the many map
resources found on the web to locate the church’s location. In addition, the following website
provides an interactive feature that gives a good idea of where the church is in relation to the rest of
downtown Detroit.
http://www.detroit2005.com/mapo/main_area.html
The church is located at the bottom right hand corner of the map.
Christ Church
Christ Church
Detroit, Michigan Page 24