Immanuel United Methodist Church celebrates 175 years in the community

EASTPOINTE — When entering the front doors of Immanuel United Methodist Church, a wall tapestry greets everyone with the message “Welcome to God’s house.”

The church, located at 23715 Gratiot Ave., has been ministering to the community since 1849.

To celebrate the church’s 175-year anniversary, a special worship service will be held at 3 p.m. Nov. 3, followed by a reception. There are 123 church members, but everyone is welcome at the anniversary service.

The Rev. Albert Rush is “overjoyed” about the church’s milestone anniversary.

“This is awesome to have existed for 175 years in the community,” said Rush, who has been the pastor since 2012. “I am the first African American pastor in the predominantly white church.

“Church is more than a building. It’s people coming together and gathering. We’re called to do as Jesus Christ has tried to teach us to do,” Rush said. “When I give my sermons, I try to take the politics out of the service. God loves us for everything and finds ways to show that love.”

Each week, there are two Sunday services: 9 a.m. (traditional) and 11 a.m. (contemporary).

Many components of being pastor stand out for Rush, one being the food pantry that feeds anywhere from 175 to 250 people each week.

The food pantry is open from 9 to 11 a.m. every other Wednesday, and on alternate weeks from 6 to 7 p.m. every other Thursday. Food donations of canned goods and nonperishable items can be dropped off from 9 a.m. to noon Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, and from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesdays.

Although the church, like most places, was closed during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Rush said Immanuel United Methodist Church found a way to stay connected with its congregation through newsletters, online services and more.    

In 2019, when the church turned 170 years old, Immanuel United Methodist Church historian Karen Marck put together a booklet on the church’s history. She has worked on a new history booklet for the 175th anniversary, which will be ready Nov. 3. Families also plan to bury a time capsule on the church grounds with letters they have written about how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted them and about the basement flooding the church experienced.

“There was a sewer backup throughout our whole lower level,” Marck said. “We couldn’t use it for months. It was just a terrible mess.”

The congregation originated in 1847 when German immigrants preached in a log barn on Toepfer Road. Two years later, the church officially opened in a building on the north side of Nine Mile Road, east of Gratiot Avenue, where the Police Department is now. Marck, of Warren, said the church still has a cemetery behind the Police Department.

In 1851, the congregation moved to its second location north of 10 Mile Road on the east side of Gratiot to become the Roseville German Methodist Church, according to Marck’s research.

“What got us to move was the interurban streetcar,” Marck said. “They wanted to widen Gratiot.”

She also said that the sermons were in German until 1923.

“When other nationalities were moving into the community, it made sense to change it to English,” Marck said.

The current and third location was built in 1933 at 23715 Gratiot Ave. Many members are from Eastpointe and Warren. Marck has been a member for 55 years.

“It’s just a wonderful place. Everyone is so nice. I’ve enjoyed studying the Bible and I’ve sung in the choir ever since I’ve been a member,” she said, adding that “it’s absolutely great” about the 175-year history. “We’re all excited about it. I just think it’s so interesting to know about the people that organized the church. They were so passionate about it.”

Vicki Raybaud has been a member for 46 years and currently is the church secretary, heads the ladies group, has counseled youth and sings in the choir with her husband, Victor.

“I came here as a young married woman and we raised our three children here,” Raybaud, of Eastpointe, said. “I’ve always loved it here. I feel the presence of God and the people that are members here are my family. I look at this as my home.”

For more information on Immanuel United Methodist Church, visit its website at immanueleastpointe.org or call (586) 776-7750.