Michigan Church History

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Catholic History

• History of the Archdiocese of Detroit
• Diocese of Gaylord
• History of the Diocese of Grand Rapids
• History of the Diocese of Lansing
• History of the Diocese of Marquette

For information concerning Catholic records, see:

• Inventory of the Church Archives of Michigan, The Roman Catholic Church, Archdiocese of Detroit. Detroit, Michigan: Michigan Historical Records Survey, 1941. FS Catalog book 977.4 K2hca. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library.

Timeline of Lansing, MI Churches

1836 – Biddle City plotted by brothers Jerry & William Ford, located south of the Grand
and Red Cedar Rivers. It consisted of 48 full blocks and 17 fractional ones.
While lots were sold the plat was abandoned and the “city” ceased to exist.

1845 – First Methodist sermon preached at the log house of Joab Page.

1847 - Town of Michigan, Michigan established as the new state capital.

Catholic Church - The Mass was celebrated for the first time in the log
home of Thomas and Eleanora Saier. Saiers later donated land on
Chestnut Street for a church to be built which was begun in 1856.

1848 – Name changes to Lansing. The Methodists and Presbyterians held services in the
School House, the former holding service in the morning and the later in the
afternoon. 1848-50 Methodist services were held in the Representation Hall.

by 1849-11 churches existed:
1. First Methodist Church, Wall St., Rev. D.D. Gillett, pastor, (METHODIST)
2. Presbyterian Church, Washington Ave., Rev. C.S. Armstrong, pastor (PRESBYTERIAN)
3. Episcopalian Church, Washington Ave., Rev. H. B. Burges, rector (EPISCOPAL)
4. Free Will Baptist Church, Kalamazoo St., Rev. L. B. Potter, pastor (BAPTIST)
5. Second Methodist Church, Washington Ave., Rev. D.D. Gillett, pastor, (METHODIST)
6. Baptist Church, Capitol Ave., Rev. Charles Johnson, pastor (BAPTIST)
7. United Brethern in Christ’s Church, Capitol Ave. (BRETHERN)
8. Universalist Church, Grand St., (UNIVERSALIST)
9. Romas Catholic Church, erecting midtown) (ROMAN CATHOLIC)
10. German Lutheran Church, Filborn St., Rev. A. Buerkle, pastor (LUTHERAN)
11. German Methodist Church, Saginaw St., Rev. Adolph Hoffman, pastor (METHODIST)

1850 - June 1, - Lot 6, Block 96 on which the present church now stands was deeded to
the First M.E. Church and subsequently to the Central M.E. Church.

1859 - First Baptist Church dedicated, corner of Washington Ave. & Ionia St. Prior to
construction services held at Franklin Street Tavern

1862 - The Central Methodist Episcopal Church was erected.

1863 - Universalist Church dedicated, corner of Grand & Allegan.

1887 – First Presbyterian Church, corner of Allegan and Capitol Ave.

1894 - First Baptist Church, new construction

1904 - A new temporary Catholic Church and hall were built in 1904 on
Walnut Street.

1911 - Construction begun on Immaculate Conception of St. Mary’s on Seymour St.

1922 - Church of the Resurrection opened. (CATHOLIC)

1939 - St. Mary’s became the cathedral of the Lansing Diocese.