Realitycheck Member Username: Realitycheck
Post Number: 400 Registered: 08-2004
| Posted on Monday, January 15, 2007 - 12:05 pm: | |
To hang out a neighborly 'street sign' to a worthwhile destination, which I hope Lowell doesn't mind, here's a heads-up that the urban explorer at detroitblog has a fresh post with 10 pix of First Congregational Unitarian Church on Woodward . . .quote:. . . halfway between Midtown and Downtown, and midway between life and death. I know his verbal flourishes (excesses?) aren't to everyone's taste, and even I wince at "the ruins of a once-flowering civilization," but I admire the evocative images and the power of vivid language such as this: quote:The contrast between the past and present of the church -- and the city, for that matter -- couldn’t be more stark, and the reminder of all that has been lost couldn’t be more sad. As always, be sure to come back here after visiting! |
Pam Member Username: Pam
Post Number: 879 Registered: 11-2005
| Posted on Monday, January 15, 2007 - 12:20 pm: | |
I think he got the name wrong. Should be just Congregational, no Unitarian in there. http://detroit1701.org/FirstCo ngregational.htm |
Lowell Board Administrator Username: Lowell
Post Number: 3554 Registered: 10-2003
| Posted on Monday, January 15, 2007 - 12:48 pm: | |
I hadn't realized that church had gone abandoned. No problem linking to that site Realitycheck. It occurs here all the time and his site has been on my Detroit Links list for a long time. His pictures and text are excellent and, while some are sure to object to trespass and potential breaking and entering violations, I have to admit to the guilty pleasure of viewing what he presents. |
Spiritofdetroit Member Username: Spiritofdetroit
Post Number: 154 Registered: 11-2006
| Posted on Monday, January 15, 2007 - 2:11 pm: | |
Wow, I never knew it was abandoned either. Appears to be in decent condition still from driving by. |
Chow Member Username: Chow
Post Number: 342 Registered: 10-2003
| Posted on Monday, January 15, 2007 - 2:22 pm: | |
Pam, you are talking about the wrong church. |
Artistic Member Username: Artistic
Post Number: 29 Registered: 09-2006
| Posted on Monday, January 15, 2007 - 2:33 pm: | |
Does anyone know who owns that church? Is it for sale? It would make a great restoration project. Just a thought. |
Kathleen Member Username: Kathleen
Post Number: 1865 Registered: 10-2003
| Posted on Monday, January 15, 2007 - 2:46 pm: | |
Thanks, Realitycheck, for the alert. This is one church that, beyond its exterior, is largely a mystery!! |
Lilpup Member Username: Lilpup
Post Number: 1601 Registered: 06-2004
| Posted on Monday, January 15, 2007 - 2:53 pm: | |
In Ann Arbor a couple of the nicer churches have been converted to office space - law firms, architects, and the like, but I haven't been in them enough to know how they've handled the sanctuary spaces. |
Rsa Member Username: Rsa
Post Number: 993 Registered: 10-2003
| Posted on Monday, January 15, 2007 - 3:06 pm: | |
i believe the former congregation owns it, artistic. it is for sale. i believe it is listed at around $880k and the agent is chris monsour. |
Artistic Member Username: Artistic
Post Number: 30 Registered: 09-2006
| Posted on Monday, January 15, 2007 - 3:27 pm: | |
Thanks Rsa for the information |
Rsa Member Username: Rsa
Post Number: 994 Registered: 10-2003
| Posted on Monday, January 15, 2007 - 3:36 pm: | |
no problem. i just had a chance to read the entry. things apparently have gotten really bad, really quick. when i walked thru in the fall the building was sealed up quite well and there was very little damage. here's my picture from then with all of the organ pipes intact: the stained glass windows that he speaks of were sold off when the church of christ left the space. i believe the DIA has all but one of them somewhere. rumor has it that the only one they don't have was accidentally broken during removal, but that's only hearsay. |
Goat Member Username: Goat
Post Number: 9160 Registered: 10-2003
| Posted on Monday, January 15, 2007 - 4:14 pm: | |
Nothing is scared to the addicts. How sad? Even in those pictures the church is still in decent shape. Sadly, the building will go down hill very quickly due to the weather (especially spring). |
Artistic Member Username: Artistic
Post Number: 31 Registered: 09-2006
| Posted on Monday, January 15, 2007 - 4:34 pm: | |
I toured the Carlton Lofts this past fall and noticed a Church on the corner of Woodward and ??? in Brush Park. I believe it was for sale, is this that church? |
Gannon Member Username: Gannon
Post Number: 7863 Registered: 12-2003
| Posted on Monday, January 15, 2007 - 5:24 pm: | |
I know every inch of this building...used to be an active member when it was The Church in the City, associated with David and Gary Wilkerson of NYC. Breaks my heart to see it this way. Big room would make a great recording hall. |
Barnesfoto Member Username: Barnesfoto
Post Number: 2932 Registered: 10-2003
| Posted on Monday, January 15, 2007 - 5:32 pm: | |
there's a bit of a mixup here..the church that Pam posted is hardly abandoned...The one that the Detroitblog guy posted is further south on Woodward...both are built out of beautiful stone...one is reddish, the other more purplish. |
Pam Member Username: Pam
Post Number: 881 Registered: 11-2005
| Posted on Monday, January 15, 2007 - 7:12 pm: | |
quote:there's a bit of a mixup here..the church that Pam posted is hardly abandoned...The one that the Detroitblog guy posted is further south on Woodward Chow already pointed out my mistake. The names confused me. I didn't know there was ever a First Congregational Unitarian, I had just heard of First Congregational. |
Detroite Member Username: Detroite
Post Number: 3 Registered: 12-2006
| Posted on Monday, January 15, 2007 - 10:59 pm: | |
Has anyone ever met the man-the myth-the legend Chris Monsour? I can't leave my apartment without being bombarded with his realty signs. That guy must get to see all the cool buildings he lists, lucky. |
Cman710 Member Username: Cman710
Post Number: 216 Registered: 07-2006
| Posted on Monday, January 15, 2007 - 11:24 pm: | |
This is really a shame, and highlights that there is much progress to be made in Brush Park. Personally, I think it is extremely important that this church be saved and rehabilitated in one form or another, both to save a historical building, and to help encourage residential growth in the area. It will be much more difficult for realtors to sell some of the new housing in Brush Park when there is a such a home for crackheads so close. What is odd is that last summer when I visited Brush park and took some pictures, I did not notice the church at all, but did notice the other one. I will have to check it out (from the outside) next time. |