A week later (150 years ago)

Having met together on December 6th and having heard about the gift of land, chapel and church design, the promise of a Rectory, and $1000 towards the building of the chapel, the neighbors of Henry Porter Baldwin met a second time 150 years ago today, December 13th (the Feast of St. Lucy). They had been challenged by Mr. Baldwin to raise another $7500 in subscriptions to actually build this new chapel for new parish in the rural area just north of Detroit (Detroit ended at Grand Circus Park, a few blocks south of St. John's).

As the 50th anniversary book states, "One week later, at the same place (HPB's house), reports were received, and action taken, the Rt. Rev'd Samuel A. McCroskry, Bishop of Michigan presiding. The subscription committee showed pledges amounting to $7600. Articles of Agreement were drawn up, and signed by twenty of those present; the day following 5 more names were added. St. John's was organized."

It would be on St. John's Day, December 27th, that the first parish meeting would be held to elect a vestry and wardens, and it is on this day that the parish name was chosen and therefore the day that we recognizes as our 'founding'.

Having the money pledged, land donated, blueprints already prepared, and Articles of Agreement in place, perhaps we should be celebrating the 150th Anniversary of St. Lucy's Church today! But the celebration will wait two more weeks....

Mark your calendars NOW for our celebration on Saturday, December 27th at 4pm with Christmas Lessons and Carols at ST. JOHN'S Church.