Nardin Park United Methodist Church – Farmington Hills, Michigan

Isaac Kremer/ August 9, 1998/ Field Notes, Physical, preservation/ 1 comments

Nardin Park Methodist Episcopal Church was formed in 1927 by the union of two large churches in northwest Detroit – the Grand River Avenue Church (at Grand River and McGraw) and the Ninde Church (at Visger and 28th Streets). Their immediate congregation was 3,000 members. A new building was erected in 1928 at 5151 W. Chicago Avenue and the church was renamed “Nardin Park”. The name was taken from the park and the subdivision where the church was located.

The decision to relocate and to build a new building was made in the early 1960s. Twenty acres were purchased in Farmington Township, with ground breaking in 1963. The Nardin Park congregation met at East Junior High School on Middlebelt Road until the new building at 29887 W. 11 Mile Road was ready in September 1965.

The former building was sold to the Ebenezer African Methodist Episcopal Church in 1963.

In 1972 a building addition provided more Sunday School rooms, a Youth room, Parlor, Choir room, an expanded Fellowship Hall and Kitchen, a Stage and a Scout Room. In 1989 another addition included an elevator, a Children’s Worship Center, a Multi-Purpose Room, Chapel, Music Complex, Courtyard, Office Space, and Offices for the Samaritan Counseling Center.

The Michigan Historic Marker for Nardin Park United Methodist Church was dedicated in 1990. The inscription follows:

In 1927 the Nardin Park Methodist Episcopal Church was formed by a merger of two Detroit churches: the Ninde Church, organized in 1886, and the Grand River Avenue Church, established in 1891. The following year and educational building and gymnasium were constructed on a site across West Chicago Boulevard from Nardin Park. The Depression delayed construction of the sanctuary. In 1937 a building campaign began. The Kresge Foundation donated $50,000. The completed sanctuary was dedicated in 1943. In 1963 the congregation sold the building to Ebenezer African Methodist Episcopal Church. The present church was dedicated on October 17, 1965.

In addition to the church itself, the “back 40” behind the church and parking lot is a large open space. There is a fenced playground and a small creek running through this area. Occasionally it is used for picnics and church events. Making this somewhat challenging is the drainage is not always good and the field can easily become quite muddy.

Plaques

These plaques represent memorial donations for the sanctuary stained glass windows at 5151 W. Chicago Blvd., Detroit, Michigan occupied by the Nardin Park congregation from 1943-1964.

In loving memory of Robert McFate, the window above is presented by Mrs. Robert McFate, 1946

This window above is presented by Mr. & Mrs. Jacob Judson, 1946

In loving memory of departed members the window above is presented by Bible Class “C,” 1946

In Honor of Mr. & Mrs. Will Curtiss, the window above is presented by The Young Men’s Brotherhood, 1946

In loving memory of departed members the window above is presented by Woman’s Bible Class and Men’s Brotherhood, 1946

In loving memory of Mr. & Mrs. Charles W. Leech, the window above is presented by their family, 1946.

In loving memory of S/SGT. Gerald D. Rippett, 1925-1945, the window above is presented by his father and mother.

In honor of Dr. & Mrs. Marshall R. Reed for a rich and fruitful ministry the window above is presented by the congregation, 1946

Pastors

George L. Nuckolls, 1926–1931
Clarence E. Hoon, 1932–1934
Marshall R. Reed, 1934–1948
Verner S. Mumbulo, 1948–1961
John Adams, 1961–1963
Dr. William C. Mercer, 1963–1980
Dr. William A. Ritter, 1980–1993
Rev. Richard A. Peacock, 1993–1997
Rev. Benjamin Bohnsack, 1997–2006
Dr. Dale M. Miller, 2006–2016
Rev. Melanie Carey, 2016-present