Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church (Highland Park, Michigan) Records

When the automoble industry continued to grow in Detroit, so did Highland Park, with the establishment of the Ford Motor Company in the area. Three pastors - G. Claus, F.H. Hertwig and F. Tresselt - urged the Mission and Church Extension Board of the Michigan District to found a mission in Highland Park. Rev. F.A. Kolch became the pastor upon his graduation from Concordia Seminary, Saint Louis, Missouri and arrival on September 6, 1910. Formal organization of Grace took place on August 21, 1911. The congregation acquired a Presbyterian building and moved it to the property they had purchased. This building provided a place for worship and facilities for a school and parsonage. The first worship service in this building was held on January 22, 1911. A day school was started in 1912. The pastor served as the teacher for the first two years, and then Mr. Otto Doroh took over until he retired in 1957. The school closed in 1960. English worship was introduced in 1920. As the congregation grew, a new church was built in the Gothic style. Construction began in 1929, and it was dedicated on June 8, 1930. The membership peaked at about 500 communicant members in 1946, and then gradually declined. Rev. Kolch announced his retirement after 55 years at Grace. He died on December 2, 1967. After the Detroit riots in 1967, membership declined rapidly due to people moving out of the area. Finances became a major issue, and the congregation then decided to close. The last worship service was held on January 30, 1977.