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Story
November 12, 1955
The Detroit Tribune
Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan
What is this article about?
A Detroit Tribune feature on the 'Neighborhood of Churches' highlights Sunday services, histories, and activities at four major Black churches: Bethel A.M.E., Scott Methodist, Mt. Olive Baptist, and Metropolitan Baptist, focusing on pastoral leadership and community initiatives.
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This community, however, could easily be called the Neighborhood of Churches, for as your reporter roamed through the area he found numerous churches, including four of the oldest and largest of the city. Therefore, this week we will devote our entire "Neighborhood of the Week" feature to Sunday services held at all of these beautiful churches, plus a little of their history, their past, present and future plans as to mold better citizens in the community.
BETHEL A.M.E.
For the sake of continuity, let's start with Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, located at Frederick and St. Antoine.
This Christian institution is noted for Christian guidance also in civic and social affairs, particularly under the leadership of the late Rev. Wm. Peach, founder of the Booker T. Washington Trade Association which strives to boost Negro patronage of race-owned businesses.
The present pastor is the Rev. Joseph L. Roberts.
One of the church's latest projects is joint Thanksgiving services with Second Baptist church of Detroit, pastored by the Rev. A. A. Banks, Jr., who will deliver the special message.
Let's go up a block on St. Antoine from Bethel to Kirby where Scott Methodist Church is located.
SCOTT METHODIST
Your Tribune photographer-reporter team ran into observation of Holy Communion being held at Scott.
The immense edifice was filled to capacity with members continually coming to and fro from the kneeling place before the altar where Holy Communion vows were repeated and blessings were received.
Since the congregation was so large, church officials and members of the organizations on duty had to observe Communion at the night service.
Minister in charge at Scott Methodist is Dr. Alfred Clay, while lay leader is James Rhoden.
MT. OLIVE BAPTIST
Upon leaving Scott Methodist, your reporter-photographer team went to Mt. Olive Baptist church at 540 Farnsworth.
Its leadership roster has the Rev. H. E. Owens as minister in charge, and the Revs. Jack Ealy and U. G. Eaves serving as assistant minister and associate minister in that order.
The church is concentrating on "Women's Day" on Nov. 20 which has an ambitious goal of $2,000. Meanwhile, the members continue to push their own individual church groups, including a collective effort for the United Torch Fund Drive.
As an example of spiritual inspiration in these efforts, the Thanksgiving prayer for the Sunday services read:
"O God our help in Ages past. Our hope for years to come. Our shelter from the stormy blast and our eternal home. Amen."
In encouraging the men as well as the women to make "Women's Day" a success, Rev. Mr. Owens said: "Mt. Olive, we cannot win in this effort. Let us work together and enjoy success together so that we can see what we have done."
METROPOLITAN BAPTIST
Our last and final Sunday visit among the "Big Four" churches was made at Metropolitan Baptist at 153 E. Ferry.
The church was practically humming with activity.
Three more notable events were foremost on its calendar, the first being annually celebrated the night before in the church dining hall. This celebration led a dinner banquet in honor of the pastor and his wife, the Rev. and Mrs. Charles Butler, who had just finished his 15th anniversary at Metropolitan. There were scores of gifts in appreciation.
The second today when the church will honor one of its teen-age members with a banquet at 6 o'clock. Mrs. Ernest Douglas, winner of the Front Housewives League Essay Contest.
Another was the presentation Sunday of a minister's license to the Rev. Delaney C. Putman, youthful member of the congregation. Rev. Mr. Putman was honored by being the morning services speaker.
Not only is the church proud that new members have entered into the ministry, but it also boasts of its assistant pastor, the Rev. Calvin De Bardelaben, doing graduate study at the University of Michigan and still being present on the rostrum each Sunday.
Among the events to come is the Homecoming festival at the church on Nov. 20 with special program planned.
An example of its progressiveness is the joining up of many former teenagers as members of its Metropolitan Youth.
Although this is a smattering of the religious activities and progress of this community, we feel that it is most representative of the forward steps being made by the various churches of all creeds and religions in the area.
Our next report will center mostly on the civic and business aspects of the neighborhood.
BETHEL A.M.E.
For the sake of continuity, let's start with Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, located at Frederick and St. Antoine.
This Christian institution is noted for Christian guidance also in civic and social affairs, particularly under the leadership of the late Rev. Wm. Peach, founder of the Booker T. Washington Trade Association which strives to boost Negro patronage of race-owned businesses.
The present pastor is the Rev. Joseph L. Roberts.
One of the church's latest projects is joint Thanksgiving services with Second Baptist church of Detroit, pastored by the Rev. A. A. Banks, Jr., who will deliver the special message.
Let's go up a block on St. Antoine from Bethel to Kirby where Scott Methodist Church is located.
SCOTT METHODIST
Your Tribune photographer-reporter team ran into observation of Holy Communion being held at Scott.
The immense edifice was filled to capacity with members continually coming to and fro from the kneeling place before the altar where Holy Communion vows were repeated and blessings were received.
Since the congregation was so large, church officials and members of the organizations on duty had to observe Communion at the night service.
Minister in charge at Scott Methodist is Dr. Alfred Clay, while lay leader is James Rhoden.
MT. OLIVE BAPTIST
Upon leaving Scott Methodist, your reporter-photographer team went to Mt. Olive Baptist church at 540 Farnsworth.
Its leadership roster has the Rev. H. E. Owens as minister in charge, and the Revs. Jack Ealy and U. G. Eaves serving as assistant minister and associate minister in that order.
The church is concentrating on "Women's Day" on Nov. 20 which has an ambitious goal of $2,000. Meanwhile, the members continue to push their own individual church groups, including a collective effort for the United Torch Fund Drive.
As an example of spiritual inspiration in these efforts, the Thanksgiving prayer for the Sunday services read:
"O God our help in Ages past. Our hope for years to come. Our shelter from the stormy blast and our eternal home. Amen."
In encouraging the men as well as the women to make "Women's Day" a success, Rev. Mr. Owens said: "Mt. Olive, we cannot win in this effort. Let us work together and enjoy success together so that we can see what we have done."
METROPOLITAN BAPTIST
Our last and final Sunday visit among the "Big Four" churches was made at Metropolitan Baptist at 153 E. Ferry.
The church was practically humming with activity.
Three more notable events were foremost on its calendar, the first being annually celebrated the night before in the church dining hall. This celebration led a dinner banquet in honor of the pastor and his wife, the Rev. and Mrs. Charles Butler, who had just finished his 15th anniversary at Metropolitan. There were scores of gifts in appreciation.
The second today when the church will honor one of its teen-age members with a banquet at 6 o'clock. Mrs. Ernest Douglas, winner of the Front Housewives League Essay Contest.
Another was the presentation Sunday of a minister's license to the Rev. Delaney C. Putman, youthful member of the congregation. Rev. Mr. Putman was honored by being the morning services speaker.
Not only is the church proud that new members have entered into the ministry, but it also boasts of its assistant pastor, the Rev. Calvin De Bardelaben, doing graduate study at the University of Michigan and still being present on the rostrum each Sunday.
Among the events to come is the Homecoming festival at the church on Nov. 20 with special program planned.
An example of its progressiveness is the joining up of many former teenagers as members of its Metropolitan Youth.
Although this is a smattering of the religious activities and progress of this community, we feel that it is most representative of the forward steps being made by the various churches of all creeds and religions in the area.
Our next report will center mostly on the civic and business aspects of the neighborhood.
What sub-type of article is it?
Historical Event
Biography
What themes does it cover?
Moral Virtue
Providence Divine
What keywords are associated?
Bethel Ame Church
Scott Methodist Church
Mt Olive Baptist Church
Metropolitan Baptist Church
Detroit Churches
Sunday Services
Religious Activities
Community Leadership
What entities or persons were involved?
Rev. Wm. Peach
Rev. Joseph L. Roberts
Rev. A. A. Banks Jr.
Dr. Alfred Clay
James Rhoden
Rev. H. E. Owens
Rev. Jack Ealy
Rev. U. G. Eaves
Rev. Charles Butler
Mrs. Charles Butler
Mrs. Ernest Douglas
Rev. Delaney C. Putman
Rev. Calvin De Bardelaben
Where did it happen?
Detroit Neighborhood Including Frederick And St. Antoine, Kirby On St. Antoine, 540 Farnsworth, 153 E. Ferry
Story Details
Key Persons
Rev. Wm. Peach
Rev. Joseph L. Roberts
Rev. A. A. Banks Jr.
Dr. Alfred Clay
James Rhoden
Rev. H. E. Owens
Rev. Jack Ealy
Rev. U. G. Eaves
Rev. Charles Butler
Mrs. Charles Butler
Mrs. Ernest Douglas
Rev. Delaney C. Putman
Rev. Calvin De Bardelaben
Location
Detroit Neighborhood Including Frederick And St. Antoine, Kirby On St. Antoine, 540 Farnsworth, 153 E. Ferry
Event Date
November (Year Unspecified)
Story Details
Reporter visits four major churches in a Detroit neighborhood, describing Sunday services, leadership, history, and upcoming events like joint Thanksgiving services, Women's Day, pastor anniversaries, and youth programs.