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Stated Clerks |
Church History |
Executive Presbyters
Presbytery of Detroit
A discussion of the history of the Presbytery of Detroit must of necessity begin with
the arrival of Presbyterianism in the Territory of Michigan. For unless there are
ministers and churches available to be organized in to a presbytery there can be no
presbytery.
In 1827, there was a sufficient number of ministers and churches
in the Detroit area to constitute a Presbytery. Accordingly, the
General Assembly took the following action during its meeting in
May of 1827:
Overture No.8, viz., an application from certain Ministers and churches
in the Territory of Michigan to be constituted a Presbytery.
The following facts from independent sources throw some light on
the presbytery of Detroit:
1. The General Assembly of 1828 lists Detroit Presbytery with William
Page as Stated Clerk.
2. Theodore Marsh, who was nearer the sources than we are, states
that Detroit Presbytery was organized in 1827.
3. Silas Farmer in his History of Detroit gives 1827 as the date
when the Presbytery was organized.
After its organization in 1827 the growth of the Presbytery of
Detroit was very gratifying. After 1825 many of the settlers to
the territory were already seasoned Christians, trained in church
work. Of the current churches in the presbytery of Detroit, 28 were
organized during the 1800's.
The Church exists for those who do not yet belong to it. Throughout
the 20th Century, this fundamental conviction has motivated the
Presbytery of Detroit to study the meaning of mission, and of the
Church in mission, and to fulfill its task in a growing metropolitan
area. In addition to planting new churches, the Presbytery has engaged
in a variety of ministries directed toward the social needs of the
population. From the community houses of the early 1900's to the
camp and conference ministries and the establishment of Presbyterian
Villages begun the 1940's; from the Detroit Industrial Mission of
the 1950's and 60's, to the urban church redevelopment and racial
ethnic ministries of the 70's and 80's, the Presbytery of Detroit
has sought to embody the Gospel of Jesus Christ in this ever-changing
metropolitan area.
The Presbytery of Detroit looks to the future in terms of strengthening
partnerships between congregations throughout the metropolitan area,
and through the connectional church in local, regional, and global
mission. Unique programs like the The Grandale Mission Center, Barnabas
Youth Opportunities Center, and the Presbyterian Development Corporation
minister to people of all ages with a range of social and economic
needs. A renewed emphasis on New Church Development and Congregation
Redevelopment will hopefully provide a wider Presbyterian presence
in this metropolitan area.
The Church like its Master is not to be ministered unto, but to
minister, to serve in the world, and to become a ransom for those
who know not Christ. While we celebrate the past, the Presbytery
of Detroit stands ready for the future!
From the Compilations of
The Rev.Edward D.Gehres,Jr.
Former Executive Presbyter
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