Our Stone Church

Our historic building was first conceived by the church members in 1870 with the proposed purchase of property at the corner of State St. and William St. where an edifice of stone was to be constructed. The congregation had raised $12,000 for the purchase of the lot and construction of the stone building. In 1871 a Detroit architect, Gordon W. Lloyd,  was hired to create a Gothic building, a style of architecture just coming into vogue. The building used local fieldstone and the cornerstone was laid in 1872. The church building was dedicated in 1876. The original ornate slate roof was carefully replaced in 2005 to maintain the historic artistry of the original structure.

Inside the sanctuary you will find high ceilings supported by rich dark woodwork of oak, pine, butternut, and other hardwoods. The many stained glass windows depict religious themes and the Wilhelm organ stands in the front of the church, just behind the 1870’s Communion Table, a mixture of new and old traditions. The sanctuary can seat about 350 people in the main sanctuary and in the two transepts and balconies.  The sanctuary was renovated in the 1980’s with careful attention to preserving the rich heritage and beauty of the original building.  

Douglas Memorial Chapel

In 1950, the Lloyd C. Douglas Memorial Chapel was built in the English Gothic style of the same vari-colored local fieldstone with Indiana stone trim as the sanctuary building. A History of The First Congregational Church in Ann Arbor 1847-1976 describes the beautiful little chapel on William Street this way:

“The Memorial Chapel is a lovely Gothic building, seating seventy-five. The heavy oak trusses, relieved by an acoustic tile ceiling, the rich tiled floor, the carved oak altar, reredos, lectern, and spandrel arch blend harmoniously with the stained glass windows. Open every day, it is a place for worship and meditation. The Memorial Chapel is in memory of Dr. and Mrs. Lloyd C. Douglas. Dr. Douglas served as minister of this church from 1916 to 1921.”