Redford Lutheran Church (Detroit, Michigan) Records

This congregation developed under the supervision of the Mission Board of the Michigan District in 1921. Rev. H. A. Quitmeyer, pastor of Tabor Lutheran Church, organized the congregation on January 24, 1921. Land was purchased for a church building in April 1921. Previously, members worshiped in homes. Originally, the name was Bethlehem Lutheran Church, but then was changed to Redford Lutheran Church when incorporated under state law. The chapel was dedicated on August 14, 1921. One week later, Rev. Edwin Mossner was ordained and installed as pastor. A parsonage was built in January 1925. The Christian Day School was opened in September 1924. It was a one room school, taught by the pastor. The congregation became self-supporting in 1927 and a student teacher, Theodore Wacker was called to teach the Day School. The school continued to be subsidized by the Mission Board of the Michigan District. In 1931, due to growth, land for a new church building was purchased, but due to the Great Depression, plans for a new building were delayed until 1934. The groundbreaking service took place on March 31, 1935, and the cornerstone was laid on April 21, 1935. The last service was held at the chapel on September 1, 1935. Dedication of the new church building was held on September 8, 1935. Four years later, the Ladies Aid Society provided for a new organ in the church, which was dedicated on May 7, 1939. The day school increased by one room in 1945. More space was needed for Sunday School, so a house was purchased in 1949. The house also provided living quarters for a caretaker. A building company was hired for construction of a new school in February 1950. The cornerstone was laid on June 11, 1950, and dedicated on October 15, 1950. A new organ was dedicated on June 12, 1955, again provided by the Ladies Aid Society. Rev. Mossner died on December 16, 1956, after serving the congregation for thirty-five years. On July 21, 1957, groundbreaking took place for Mossner Memorial Hall, with dedication on May 4, 1958. This included a gymnasium-auditorium, Sunday School classrooms, and a large kitchen. Though there was continued growth during the 1960s, the congregation decided not to enlarge the facilities and instead added a third service in 1970. The Christian Day School was given the name of Gerhardt A. Zurstadt School of Redford Lutheran Church on September 21, 1975. Mr. Zurstadt was teacher and principal of the school for forty years. The congregation experienced a severe decline in membership from 1975 to 1990. The congregation celebrated its 75th anniversary on October 6, 1996. In 2009, Saint Timothy (Detroit) merged with Redford Lutheran Church. This congregation disbanded in June 2020.

• Rev. H.A. Quitmeyer 1920-1921
• Rev. Edwin Mossner 1921-1956
• Rev. Earl Gaulke 1957-1958 (Assistant)
• Rev. Edward Westcott, Jr. 1957-1971
• Rev. Earle J. Beck 1963-1965 (Assistant)
• Rev. Roger Bronsted 1965 (Assistant)
• Rev. Stephen Lippert 1966-1970 (Assistant)
• Rev. Carl Mehl 1972-1983
• Rev. Terry Rebert 1984-1989
• Rev. Randall Shields 1989-1990 (Vacancy)
• Rev. Dr. Stanley Zyskowski, Jr. 1990-1997
• Rev. Richard Zeile 1993- (Associate)