History

In response and celebration of GPMC’s 125th anniversary in 1990, Thomas A. Arbaugh published “Grosse Pointe Memorial Church 1865 – 1990: It’s History, It’s Life.” The Rev. Dr. V. Bruce Rigdon shared in the foreword:

“This brief history invites us all to enjoy and delight in the stories of our past, but also to reflect upon it in order to better understand who we are as a church and where God is calling us to go into the future.”

Click here to dive into a rich history of the light by the lakeshore.

1973	April 1, The new Worship Book of Services and Hymns first used.
1975	Columbarium completed. Interpretation and Support Council established.
1983	September 30, The Reverend Ray H. Kiely retired and became Pastor Emeritus.
1985	January 1, The Reverend Louis J. Prues II became Senior Pastor. November 10, The Reverend Louis J. Prues II resigned as Senior Pastor.
1988	June 19, The Rev. Dr. V. Bruce Rigdon became Pastor.
1989	New Klais organ was installed.
1990	125th Anniversary celebrated. January 3, The Rev. Nancy Allison Mikoski and The Rev. Gordon A. Mikoski became Associate Pastors, developing the Youth Ministry before moving to Atlanta, GA in 1998.
1991	The Rev. R. Michael Foley became Associate Pastor, developing the Stephen Ministry program before answering a call to Snellville, GA in 2001.
1995	Supporting the ministry of Mar Elias Educational Institutions to foster a just peace in Israel and Palestine through education.
1997	Major renovation project completed, funded primarily by the Ministry and Mission for a New Millennium. A new lakeside entry and reception area constructed at former site of church kitchen which was moved to former site of Fellowship Hall stage area. Chancel enlarged and chancel walls restored to original angel choir. New sanctuary lighting, dimming, and sound systems installed. Sacristy created. Classrooms and office spaces renovated, and new elevator installed in center of the building. Parking lot renovated, lighting replaced and property lines realigned through swap with Grosse Pointe Club.
2000	January, The Rev. Joanna L.J. Dunn and The Rev. Thomas F. Rice became Associate Pastors.
2002	December 31, The Rev. Dr. V. Bruce Rigdon retired and became Pastor Emeritus. He would serve for three mores years as President of the Ecumenical Theological Seminary in Detroit.
2007	The Rev. Peter Henry becomes Pastor. An Associate Pastor Nominating Committee is formed to seek an installed Associate Pastor for Youth Ministry.

1865	September 7, The Grosse Pointe Protestant Evangelical Association organized the founding of the church. Grosse Pointe, having been settled by the French, was from the beginning largely Roman Catholic, with St. Paul’s Parish serving its spiritual needs. But by 1865 the area was assuming the character of a summer resort for Detroiters, and there were enough Protestants to feel the need for their own church.
1867	The first church building erected at the corner of Kerby and Lake Shore, on land donated for the purpose by Rufus M. Kerby, one of the founders.
1889	The corporate name changed to “The Grosse Pointe Protestant Society.”
1890	The Reverend John Baldwin installed as the first full-time Minister.
1894	The Little Ivy Covered Church built on the site of the present sanctuary, the land having been given by Joseph H. Berry, whose home was nearby. A frame house in the area to the rear of the church was purchased for the manse.
1920	The membership voted to become Presbyterian, and the church was renamed “Grosse Pointe Presbyterian Church.”
1925	A new church house – today incorporated within the present church-house was dedicated. At this time the name became “The Grosse Pointe Memorial Church.” since funds for the new sanctuary being planned were given by Truman H. Newberry and John S. Newberry as a memorial to their parents.
1927	May 15, The present sanctuary dedicated, built on the site of the Little Ivy Covered Church, which had been torn down.
1928	Youth group of the church was first called TUXIS (Together Under Christ In Service).
1931	January 1, Dr. Frank Fitt began his twenty-seven years as pastor.
1954	The Seabourne Livingstone property between the church and the War Memorial purchased for parking space and future expansion needs.

1956	January 22, The Prayer Chapel (at first called the “Memorial Chapel”) dedicated.
1958	September 30, Dr. Fitt retired and became Pastor Emeritus.
1959	The Allen Shelden Memorial Organ installed, and the Chancel mosaics given in memory of Mrs. Henry B. Joy. October 1, The Reverend Bertram deHeus Atwood became senior minister, serving until June 1969.
1961	Circles started by the Women’s Association.
1962	January 24, Board of Deacons established with 24 members. April 1, The new building, containing Barbour Chapel, Fitt Library, Fellowship Hall, and additional facilities for Christian Education, dedicated. At the same time renovations made in the former church house, “Doctors to India” initiated, whereby members of the congregation volunteered time in their specialized fields to overseas missions, a program still continuing today.
1963	First Women Elders – Mrs. Thomas J. Litle III, (Virginia) and Mrs. Charles Wright (Jan).
1964	First Woman Clerk of Session – Mrs. Thomas J. Litle III, (Virginia). Endowment Fund Established.
1965	100th Anniversary celebrated.
1967	Reorganization of Session into Councils: Worship, Parish Life, Outreach, Christian Education, and Administration.
1969	The Reverend Bertram deHeus Atwood resigned to accept a call to Swarthmore, Pa.
1970	The Reverend Ray H. Kiely became senior minister. Ecumenical Men’s Breakfast began.
1972	The Women’s Association celebrated its 50th anniversary. It had been preceded by a church group known first as The Ladies Union and later as The Women’s Union.

2008	First adult mission trip to Honduras to work with Tim and Gloria Wheeler.
2009	Matthew Parker Wrzeszcz is installed as Associate Pastor for Youth and Their Families.
2010	First summer with Growing with God garden for young children.
2011	James Biery hired as Organist and Minister of Music.
2013	“Building on Our Firm Foundation” capital campaign begins. Trinity Terrace (outdoor worship space) dedicated.
2014	Renovation and restoration work begins on stained glass windows and carillon (bell tower). Sarah Godbehere installed as Associate Pastor for Youth and Their Families.
2015	GPMC celebrates 150 years of ministry. Members and friends pack 150,000 meals for Kids Against Hunger. Dedication of expanded outdoor columbarium.
2016	Session forms Diversity Task Force to initiate interracial and interfaith relationships. High school youth travel to Cuba for mission trip.
2017	Tak-Kin Ho receives the first Esther Porter Ecumenical Minister International Student Scholarship at Princeton Theological Seminary. First Trinity Terrace Triathlon at GPMC.
2018	Renovation of Crib and Toddler rooms begins.
2020	Online services began in response to the pandemic.
2022	Rev. Dr. Jeff Lincicome became Pastor and Head of Staff.
2024	Rev. Heather Thum-Gerber installed as Associate Pastor, and Dr. Logan Hamilton hired as Organist and Minister of Music.
2024	Welcomed back Fr. Elias Chacour, Archbishop Emiritus of the Melkite Catholic Church in Palestine and Dr. Bruce Rigdon, Pastor Emeritus of GPMC to celebrate the Pilgrims of Ibillin, a non-profit organization started at GPMC in 1995, supporting the ministry of Mar Elias Educational Institutions to foster a just peace in Israel and Palestine through education.
2025	Trinity Terrace 2.0 renovation project completed, adding a gazebo, shade sails, new playground equipment, and landscaping. Funded through the generous gifts of the congregation.