  Realitycheck Member Username: Realitycheck Post Number: 400 Registered: 08-2004 |
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: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:As always, be sure to come back here after visiting! | ||
Pam Member Username: Pam Post Number: 879 Registered: 11-2005 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
Pam, you are talking about the wrong church. | ||
Artistic Member Username: Artistic Post Number: 29 Registered: 09-2006 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
Thanks Rsa for the information | ||
Rsa Member Username: Rsa Post Number: 994 Registered: 10-2003 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
quote: 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 |
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 |
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. |
