Because of the large nearby buildings, it is challenging to appreciate the
architectural features of this mature Gothic church. And there is no large
space in front of the building to allow you to sense its grandeur. This is
the oldest German Protestant congregation in Detroit, founded in 1833. Apparently,
a minister was traveling to Ann Arbor but had to spend the week-end in Detroit.
German Protestants asked him to preach on Sunday. His oratory must have been
convincing since those who heard him decided to establish a church.
The church you see dates from 1874 and is
an excellent example of High Victorian Gothic style. The City of Detroit
Designated Historic District may includ
e
three buildings: the Gothic Church, a Victorian parochial school of three
stories and a substantial brick Romanesque Revival parsonage. The original
church was
built with bricks, but in 1915, it was remodeled. The architect for the more
recent work, Hans Gehrke, covered the exterior with the Formstone that you
see. Formstone is a plaster or concrete composition made to look like real
stones, limestones in the case of St. John’s-St. Lukes. For some reason,
the elders of the congregation must have decided that a faux
stone exterior would be more attractive than ed bricks. Formstone was once
popular as a facing to put on bricks but, I believe, has grown out of favor.
Quite
a few of the brick row houses in Baltimore are now covered in Formstone.
There is a small tower to the left of the parapeted front gable, while a much more formidable tower is to the left. You see a large lancet window above the gabled vestibule. I have not seen the interior of this church, but have read that it is painted in gold and white with extensive Gothic woodwork. The church houses a Votteler Organ, indeed, the historical significance of that organ may be one of the reasons for the creation of the City of Detroit Historic District. The Historical Register for the State of Michigan reports that this congregation was the mother congregation for 12 other German Protestant Churches in the Detroit Area.
Architect: Julian Hess
Date of Construction: 1874
Architectural Style: Victorian Gothic
Architect for 1915 remodeling: Hans Gehrke
City of Detroit Designated Historic District: The interior of this church was formally designated as a historic location on June 25, 1982.
State of Michigan Registry of Historic Places:
National Register of Historic Sites: # 820002907 Listed April 22, 1982
Use in 2008: Church
Photograph: Ren Farley, September 6, 2008
Description Prepared: December, 2008
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