  Livedog2 Member Username: Livedog2 Post Number: 273 Registered: 03-2006 Posted From: 24.223.133.177 |
Has anyone done any exploration of Lutheran Cemetery located at Mt. Elliott and Palmer in Detroit? I find it incongruence for a Lutheran Cemetery to be located in what I thought was a predominately Polish and Catholic neighborhood. Anybody have any ideas, thoughts or insights about this necropolis in the middle of what was a thriving residential neighborhood. Livedog2  | ||
Ray1936 Member Username: Ray1936 Post Number: 570 Registered: 01-2005 Posted From: 207.200.116.139 |
Full name is Trinity Lutheran Cemetery. Founded and connected to Trinity Lutheran Church at 1345 Gratiot, Rev. David Eberhard (the former councilman), Pastor. The lower Gratiot area was a German conclave in the late 1800s, early 1900s, mostly Lutheran. I imagine the cemetery loction was pretty well out in the boondocks when it was founded in the 1800s. The cemetery is very well maintained, unlike the adjacent Packard plant. | ||
Jams Member Username: Jams Post Number: 3330 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 68.79.102.113 |
Many of the answers you're looking for will be answered by a trip to Historic Trinity's Library on the third floor. That was the church that established that cemetary. Depending on the decade, the late 1800's/early 1900's, the Lower East Side was made up of Germans (both Protestant, mainly Lutheran, and Catholic). Poles, Belgians, Italians, Irish, Syrians, Jews, and Blacks (add any others I've left out). Each tended to congregate in their own neighborhoods. The cemetaries were established in what at the time were rural areas outside the City. | ||
Karl Member Username: Karl Post Number: 2429 Registered: 09-2005 Posted From: 72.25.177.194 |
Is David Eberhard still around? I knew him well when I lived full-time in Michigan. A hard worker for the cause in the COD, he's been active since at least the 1960's. | ||
Kathleen Member Username: Kathleen Post Number: 1321 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 140.244.107.151 |
Still at Historic Trinity Lutheran: http://www.historictrinity.org / His biography page: http://www.historictrinity.org /debiography.html Stumping for Detroit during Super Bowl Week (see last para): http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs .dll/article?AID=2006601260561 | ||
Jams Member Username: Jams Post Number: 3331 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 68.79.102.113 |
Livedog2, Checkout this website: http://www.oldbru.com There's also a wonderful book about the Detroit Breweries, sorry, I'm in the midst of a potential move so I couldn't find it readily, that will give you quite an insight into the German Community of a 100 years ago in Detroit. Hopefully, another forumite will come up with the title and authour. | ||
Hornwrecker Member Username: Hornwrecker Post Number: 1184 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 63.41.8.122 |
From an aerial view of the Packard plant taken in the 30s.  WSU | ||
Karl Member Username: Karl Post Number: 2432 Registered: 09-2005 Posted From: 72.25.177.194 |
Kathleen - many thanks. I will plan a visit there and with him next time I'm in town. We have a lot to catch up on. | ||
Jams Member Username: Jams Post Number: 3332 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 68.79.102.113 |
Karl, I apologize, I was busy trying to answer Livedog2's question and trying to find a book. Pastor Eberhard is still around, semi-retired and Pastor-Emeritius at Trinity. | ||
Karl Member Username: Karl Post Number: 2434 Registered: 09-2005 Posted From: 72.25.177.194 |
Thank you, Jams - I have enjoyed the pomp and circumstance at Old Trinity when I've attended, especially on national holidays. Pastor Eberhard has been in the trenches for the COD for many years and it will be great to catch up with him next time I'm in town. | ||
Livedog2 Member Username: Livedog2 Post Number: 275 Registered: 03-2006 Posted From: 24.223.133.177 |
You all or is that ya'll are the best! Livedog2 | ||
Kathleen Member Username: Kathleen Post Number: 1322 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 140.244.107.151 |
Jams may be referring to Peter Blum's book "Brewed in Detroit: Breweries and Beers Since 1830" published by Wayne State Press: http://wsupress.wayne.edu/glb/ mihistory/blumbd.htm | ||
Mikem Member Username: Mikem Post Number: 2527 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 68.43.15.105 |
The cemetery opened for "business" on Pentecost Sunday, 1868. A photo of another old brewery on McDougal, Auto City Brewing Co. | ||
Jams Member Username: Jams Post Number: 3334 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 68.79.102.113 |
Thanks both Kathleen and Mikem. I've packed a bunch of stuff up while I'm looking for a new home, so I can't find things easily. Mikem, you simply amaze me, you seem to simply at the touch of a keyboard or a mouse produce answers. | ||
Mikem Member Username: Mikem Post Number: 2528 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 68.43.15.105 |
Should have been a reference librarian or archivist. Good memory, except for names and jokes. | ||
Miss_cleo Member Username: Miss_cleo Post Number: 197 Registered: 05-2005 Posted From: 69.47.85.139 |
I cant seem to start a new post. I went to Epiphany Lutheran Church on 7mi/woodward as kid. I have been trying to find pics of it. Can anyone help me? | ||
Mikem Member Username: Mikem Post Number: 2529 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 68.43.15.105 |
Miss Cleo, is this it? 1 2 3 | ||
Miss_cleo Member Username: Miss_cleo Post Number: 198 Registered: 05-2005 Posted From: 69.47.85.139 |
YES! Thank you, thats it. Is it still there? | ||
Jams Member Username: Jams Post Number: 3337 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 68.79.102.113 |
Damn, there's a lot of Lutherans on this site. | ||
Lowell Board Administrator Username: Lowell Post Number: 2623 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 66.167.58.162 |
This is the place for the best vista of the Packard Plant, a must see for all Detroit-o-philes. It says it all, it is a metaphor for post industrial Detroit. The combination of this restful wooded cemetery as foreground for the massive ruins of Packard is so poignant it risks being cliche. The monuments with their mostly German names makes one wonder how many worked their whole lives in the dead factory looming over their graves.  | ||
Karl Member Username: Karl Post Number: 2435 Registered: 09-2005 Posted From: 68.230.22.99 |
According to the 1966 Galaxie in the last pic of Epiphany LC the phote is from then or later. Will be interesting to hear what Mikem says about that place today. Miss Cleo, approx what years did you attend that church? Was it LCMS? | ||
Mikem Member Username: Mikem Post Number: 2530 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 68.43.15.105 |
It's still there. I'm not Lutheran and I don't know if it is still open or if it has changed denominations.  | ||
Miss_cleo Member Username: Miss_cleo Post Number: 199 Registered: 05-2005 Posted From: 69.47.85.139 |
I probably attended late 60's early 70's | ||
Jams Member Username: Jams Post Number: 3341 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 68.79.102.113 |
Mikem, I'm disappointed, you of early telephone directories. In the current directory, Epiphany is listed at 933 W. Seven Mile. Ph (313) 368-1260. Just to doublecheck, I called them. Services are 10:45 am Sundays. | ||
Miss_cleo Member Username: Miss_cleo Post Number: 200 Registered: 05-2005 Posted From: 69.47.85.139 |
I remember attending sunday school and reg. church services there. My parents got married there and I remember attending my uncles wedding there as well | ||
Karl Member Username: Karl Post Number: 2440 Registered: 09-2005 Posted From: 68.230.22.99 |
Sounds like Epiphany has moved. Wonder who the new owners are? | ||
Hornwrecker Member Username: Hornwrecker Post Number: 1185 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 63.41.8.12 |
1891 map showing the cemetery. If you'll notice that the north end of it was not incorporated into it yet. Looking at the 1910 Sanborn maps, there was J. Beyer coal and wood fuel supply on the east end, and some houses west of it.  From the 1930s street map, that area is in the cemetery. Looking at the 1915 Sanborn, the cemetery absorbed it. There are no detail of the cemetery in any of the maps. Posting this map to show the minor changes in the streets, mainly due to the expansion of the Packard factory towards the south.  | ||
Ray1936 Member Username: Ray1936 Post Number: 573 Registered: 01-2005 Posted From: 207.200.116.139 |
Wife's great grandparents are buried there. On his death certificate in 1906, it shows the name of the Cemetery as "German Lutheran Cem.". On his wife's certificate in 1929, it states "Lutheran Cemetery". Little changes in names like that can drive genealogists nuts.  | ||
Thecarl Member Username: Thecarl Post Number: 775 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 69.14.30.175 |
he just baptized my baby girl last sunday! and...dr. eberhard is as cantankerous and over-achieving as ever. i have gotten to know a lot about him while attending historic trinity and serving on a couple committees. what he manages and accomplishes each and every day, red hair still ablaze, is truly astounding. the energizer bunny has nothing on him. i'll tell him "karl with a k" says hello! | ||
Barnesfoto Member Username: Barnesfoto Post Number: 1997 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 66.2.148.99 |
Was just in that cemetery a week ago, taking more or less the same shot that lowell posted. Livedog will be outraged to learn that those stubborn German Lutherans had many of their gravestones written in German instead of English. Mutter und Vater? Nein! It's Mother and Father, volkes! | ||
Karl Member Username: Karl Post Number: 2442 Registered: 09-2005 Posted From: 68.230.22.99 |
The stories that could be told about Pastor Dr! David Eberhard  I first met him in the '60's when he had a clinic in Detroit, along with his ministry. He knew how to get pennies here and there to keep that place going, and I knew then that he was a remarkable man. Never forgot him, and ran into him many times thereafter. Thecarl, is Old Trinity still the ONLY place to be on a summer Sunday holiday, with drum & bugle corps etc? Next time I'm in town...... Congrats on your daughter's baptism - always a happy time in Lutheran households. How many members does OT have at this time? Holding steady? Growing? | ||
Livedog2 Member Username: Livedog2 Post Number: 276 Registered: 03-2006 Posted From: 24.223.133.177 |
I wonder if Emma Schuknecht from the “Does anyone remember???” thread is buried in the Trinity or German Lutheran Cemetery we are talking about in this thread. Schuknecht is certainly a German name, Trinity or German Lutheran Cemetery is located at Mt. Elliott and Palmer and Emma Schuknecht lived at 2488 Mt Elliott Ave. It’s got to be an easy one mile walk from Emma’s home to Trinity or Lutheran Cemetery. I’d bet $5 to a bucket-of-shit that Emma is buried there! Now, all I need to do is figure out how to find out. Hmm, maybe an obit in one of the Detroit dailies might have it listed where she is buried. Or, maybe the Trinity or Lutheran Cemetery has the burial records and since we know she died in 1952 that should be easy or at least relatively easy to find out. Livedog2 having more fun than a human being should have… | ||
Karl Member Username: Karl Post Number: 2450 Registered: 09-2005 Posted From: 72.25.177.194 |
You are on the right track, Livedog. If I'm not mistaken the death cert also shows it - or at least the funeral home that handled the arrangements. Assuming they are still in business, they will know for sure. | ||
Viziondetroit Member Username: Viziondetroit Post Number: 493 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 68.42.176.190 |
My mom, and grand parents are buried there... | ||
Chris_rohn Member Username: Chris_rohn Post Number: 237 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 69.220.233.37 |
Epiphany Lutheran Church is still there, still Lutheran, still LCMS. Unless it closed in the last couple of years, which is doubtful. | ||
Livedog2 Member Username: Livedog2 Post Number: 278 Registered: 03-2006 Posted From: 24.223.133.177 |
Karl, I would be shocked if the funeral home that handled her arrangements is still in business. Back in those days usually a neighborhood or church related funeral home handled the arrangements. I doubt very seriously if any funeral homes in that neighborhood back then are even still in business because that neighborhood has been so blighted since then. It got so bad in that neighborhood that St. Bonaventure Monastery and Soup Kitchen had to hire Security Guards and close the church during certain hours. The biggest indignity -- they had to put up bullet proof glass in the reception area. Detroit has gone the way of Rome!  Livedog2 sad about what the "barbarians" have done to his city... | ||
Karl Member Username: Karl Post Number: 2454 Registered: 09-2005 Posted From: 72.25.177.194 |
Chris_rohn (sounds very German!) What church is now where Epiphany was? Someone said earlier ELC has moved to 7 Mile? Livedog - you'll be surprised, quite a # of FH's are still in business. Sorry to say, but one thing the D has always produced steadily is bodies. Regardless, the records should not be difficult to find starting with the obit. Most large cemeteries have an office of some sort. Is this cemetery still taking "deposits"? | ||
Chris_rohn Member Username: Chris_rohn Post Number: 238 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 69.220.233.37 |
As far as I am aware Epiphany Lutheran Church has always been on 7 Mile, just east of Woodward. | ||
Karl Member Username: Karl Post Number: 2455 Registered: 09-2005 Posted From: 72.25.177.194 |
Sorry Chris - I'm getting my locations mixed up between the cemetery, Old Trinity and Epiphany - you're right, and it has never moved. Another place I've gonna visit next time. | ||
Ray1936 Member Username: Ray1936 Post Number: 575 Registered: 01-2005 Posted From: 207.200.116.139 |
When I was searching for the wife's gt grandparents, I wrote a letter to Trinity Lutheran Cemetery at the address in an earlier post, including a SASE. They responded promptly with the information. Anyone really interested in Emma Schuknecht could do the same. | ||
Nedab3 Member Username: Nedab3 Post Number: 84 Registered: 01-2004 Posted From: 71.28.147.244 |
East side Detroit was very much Lutheran in the 40's and 50's. Our Savior, East Bethlehem, Mt. Calvery, Bethany, and Peace on E. Warren and Balfour. My dad taught there from 1944-1961. Gilbert Otte was pastor at Old Trinity for many years. I was a friend of his son Greg during our Walther League years. I am still a beer drinking German Lutheran now living in Seward, Nebraska. | ||
Karl Member Username: Karl Post Number: 2470 Registered: 09-2005 Posted From: 207.200.116.139 |
Nedab3, perhaps we have many friends in common. Do you know anyone in Seward named von Kampen? I attended Guardian for many years, Emmanuel for a few, then moved to Lansing (Good Shepherd). Now in largest LCMS-ED parish W of Mississippi (the one in Detroit was on Grand River - can't recall the name - Grace?) Hard to believe ED still exists, ha ha. Old ideas die hard. | ||
Nedab3 Member Username: Nedab3 Post Number: 85 Registered: 01-2004 Posted From: 71.28.147.244 |
Yes Karl, Kurt and his family sit close to us each Sunday at St. John. Is a joy to have Concordia music on a regular basis. | ||
Deegee Member Username: Deegee Post Number: 25 Registered: 11-2004 Posted From: 68.249.239.189 |
Epiphany is still at the same location, still open,and still LCMS. The racial make up is mostly African-American. I haven't been in Detroit long enough to know when it started changing. I attend Berea Lutheran Church (west side Detroit) but Ephinany's doors are still open to all. | ||
Deegee Member Username: Deegee Post Number: 26 Registered: 11-2004 Posted From: 68.249.239.189 |
Ooops, my first mistake on the forum! Epiphany'congregation is 20% African-American. |
