Collections : [University of Michigan Bentley Historical Library]

Detroit clergyman who took the name Jaramogi Abebe Agyeman, founder of the Shrine of the Black Madonna, and advocate of the program and philosophy of the Black Christian Nationalist movement. The collection has been divided into four series: Albert B. Cleage, Jr.: Correspondence, Sermons, and Writings, the files of the Shrine of the Black Madonna in Detroit, Michigan, Church Leaders, and the files of the Shrine of the Black Madonna National Office.

The collection contains correspondence, sermons, and writings of Albert B. Cleage, Jr. (his name would later be changed to Jaramogi Abebe Agyeman); records of the shrine of the Black Madonna; papers of individuals within the church who assisted Cleage; and records of the National Office of the Shrine.

The collection has been divided into seven series: Albert B. Cleage, Jr.: Correspondence, Sermons, and Writings, the files of the Shrine of the Black Madonna in Detroit, Michigan, Church Leaders, the files of the Shrine of the Black Madonna National Office, Sound Recordings, Photographs, and Miscellaneous.

Detroit, Michigan clergyman, pastor at St. Mark's Presbyterian Church, which later became Central Congregational Church. In the 1960s, Cleage and his congregation began restructuring the church's rituals, programs, and theology to conform to the Black Christian Nationalist philosophy. In 1970, the church was renamed the Shrine of the Black Madonna. The collection contains correspondence, sermons, and writings of Albert B. Cleage, Jr. (his name would later be changed to Jaramogi Abebe Agyeman); records of the shrine of the Black Madonna; papers of individuals within the church who assisted Cleage; and records of the National Office of the Shrine.

The collection has been divided into four series: Albert B. Cleage, Jr.: Correspondence, Sermons, and Writings, the files of the Shrine of the Black Madonna in Detroit, Michigan, Church Leaders, and the files of the Shrine of the Black Madonna National Office.

Quarterly conference reports; record books with lists of members, baptisms, marriages, and related information; minute books of trustees and various church groups; scattered historical and background information and photographs.

The microfilmed records of Bethel A.M.E. Church of Detroit, Michigan include church record books and reports, minute books of church governing bodies and organizations, and a scattering of issues of the church newsletter, The Bethel Booster. The original materials include published historical and other background information about the church. There is also a scattering of published church materials, such as bulletins, newsletters, and a membership directory. Finally, the church allowed the library to copy selected photographs of church activities, groups, and personalities.

The Cathedral Church of St. Paul was founded in Detroit in 1824 as St. Paul⿿s parish. The record group spans the period from 1824 to 1995 and includes church registers of services, meeting minutes, and other documentation of the administrative life of the church. The record groups also includes record books of baptisms, marriages, and burials from 1824 to 1936.

The Cathedral Church of St. Paul records span the period from 1824 to 1995 and includes church registers of services, meeting minutes, and other documentation of the administrative life of the church. The record groups also includes record books of baptisms, marriages, and burials from 1824 to 1936.

The record group consists of seven series: Church Registers; Administrative Records; Church Publications, Annual Reports/Annual Meeting Reports, Vestry Records, Topical Files, and Miscellaneous earlier records.

Birmingham, Michigan, businessman and Masonic historian; correspondence, research materials, and writings on freemasonry; also materials on other research interests, notably the history of Royal Oak and Royal Oak Township.

The Charles Fey collection is comprised of correspondence conducted in the course of his research into the history of freemasonry in Michigan and in Oakland County in particular. The collection also includes extensive materials about individual masons. The collection is arranged into the following series: Scottish Rite Masonry in Michigan; Knight Templars in Michigan; Masonry in Oakland County, Michigan; Royal Arch and Grand Arch Masons in Michigan; Early Masonry and Leading Masons in Michigan; Masonic History; and Other research and personal interests.

Church originally established as Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church, then later (date uncertain) as Christ Evangelical and Reformed Church. After 1961, the name became Christ Church, United Church of Christ. The church originally served the German community of Detroit. Church government documents; record books of marriages, baptisms, and funerals; and consistory minutes.

The records (most of which are in German prior to 1926) are arranged in three series: Church Government Documents, Record Books, and Consistory Minutes.

Episcopal church located in Detroit, Michigan; church records include church histories, vestry minutes, annual parish meeting minutes and reports, membership directories and card indexes, scattered correspondence and bulletins, records of church women's organization, and photographs.; also register of baptisms, marriages, burials, and communicants; and registers of church services.

The records of the Church of the Ascension Church span most of this parish's history, though there are many gaps especially in the late 1970s through to its demise in the 1980s. The record group is strongest for the middle period of the church's history. There is unfortunately little material relating to the ethnic changeover of the church in its last decade. The record group has been arranged into the following series: Registers of baptisms, burials, marriages, communicants; Registers of church services; Historical/background information; Vestry meeting minutes; Parish meetings/reports; Church Office; and Church organizations. The Historical/Background Information series includes written histories, newspaper clippings, and photographs of church personalities and activities. The greatest depth of information about the church is found in the run of Vestry meeting minutes and the series of Parish meetings/reports.

Episcopal Church in Detroit, Michigan with long history of involvement in social action activities and urban ministry. Records include minutes, registers, scrapbooks and photographs.

The records of the Church of the Messiah (2.5 linear ft., 1875-1988) span most of it's years -- from establishment in 1874 through several transitional periods and into the late 80s. The collection consists mainly of ledger books and record books, collected material pertaining to church history, scrapbooks of clippings, and photographs. There are four series in the Church of the Messiah collection: Minutes, Registers, Scrapbooks and Miscellaneous Material, and Photographs.

Researchers should note that Church of the Messiah collaborated in ministry with Epiphany Episcopal Church in the early 1970s. The two churches merged in 1974. The Bentley Historical Library holds a small collection of Epiphany records (1 linear ft. and 4 oversized volumes).

Professor of history at Cornell University; recordings and transcripts of interviews conducted in the course of Salvatore's research into the life and career of C. L. Franklin, African American clergyman, long-time pastor of New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan, and active participant in the civil rights movement.

The records of the C.L. Franklin Oral History Project, 1998-2002, consist of audiocassette recordings and typed transcripts of interviews conducted by Dr. Nick Salvatore as part of his research which resulted in publication of the book Singing in a Strange Land : C.L. Franklin, the Black Church, and the Transformation of America. Among the 47 interviewees were family members, parishioners in Franklin's church, ministerial colleagues from Detroit, and civil rights activists. Among the topics covered are personal recollections of Franklin, his preaching style, the role of gospel music in Franklin's ministry and his influence gospel music styles, and Franklin's role as civic and civil rights leader.

Detroit African American clergyman and civil rights activist. Papers accumulated by Franklin's daughter, Erma Franklin, relating to the life and career of her father; include biographical information, transcripts of oral interviews; scattered sermons and correspondence, including letters from daughter Aretha and from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; topical files about his church and civil rights activities; and photographs

The C. L. Franklin collection is a small but significant accumulation of materials relating to the life and career of this Detroit-based clergyman. Although the collection dates from the mid-1950s, most of the materials fall within the period of 1963 to 1984. The collection is comprised of photocopies and copyprints of materials made available to the library by Erma Franklin. The importance of the collection is for the sampling of Franklin sermons that have been preserved, for the scattered documentation of the important March of Freedom that took place in Detroit in the summer of 1963, and for the copyprints made of photographs of Franklin, his family and his friends and professional associates. The collection has been arranged into five series: Biographical Information, Various Papers, Topical Files, Photographs, and Sound Recordings.

Student papers written for courses in architectural history research, mainly about Michigan architects, buildings and communities.

The records consist of student papers prepared for courses in the University of Michigan College of Architecture and Design (later Architecture and Urban Planning), primarily for classes in architectural history research; topics concern the architecture of specific Michigan communities, the architecture of historical buildings and homes, and studies of types of structures in Michigan; papers include historical description and appended visual material. Many of the papers include photos, postcards, and other illustrations relating to the architecture of specific Michigan communities, prominent historical buildings and houses in the state, and types of structures

Organization established to unite gay Catholics and provide a vehicle through which they might be heard within the Church and by the wider Detroit community. Organizational files; Executive Council and general membership meeting records; and programs and other materials of organization anniversaries, retreats, and other activities.

The records of Dignity Detroit include the organization's constitution and articles of incorporation, minutes, correspondence, and other materials documenting its administration and activities. The records have been arranged into the following series: Organizational Files; Executive Council; General Meeting records; and Anniversaries, retreats, and other activities.

Episcopal parish established in 1894 in Detroit, Michigan and merged with Church of the Messiah (Detroit, Mich.) in 1973. Records include minutes, registers and a small amount of administrative material.

The records of Epiphany Church mainly document the history and membership of the church prior to its merging with Church of the Messiah in 1974. It also provides evidence, although scant, of efforts to remain viable and of the disposition of property and memorials when the church was put up for sale. Researchers should note that the Bentley Historical Library also holds the records of the Church of the Messiah (2.5 linear ft., 1875-1988).

The First Unitarian-Universalist Church of Detroit Records comprise over 150 years of records documenting the activities of the church's ministers, administrative bodies, committees and interest groups, and members. The first such denomination in the Detroit area, First U-U traces its history to the mid-nineteenth century and represents the convergence of two like-minded denominations founded on principles of humanism, social consciousness, and civic responsibility. The collection's five series contain materials pertaining to the church's history and development, administration, religious services, educational programs, and community engagement.

The First Unitarian-Universalist Church of Detroit Records comprise the collected documentation of the activities of the church's administrative bodies, committees, and congregation members. The collection contains materials pertaining to the church's history and development, governance, and religious, educational, and community service activities. The collection is divided into five series: Ministry and Membership, Church Administration, Church Committees and Organizations, Church Activities, and Newsletters and Orders of Service.

Church documents and personal papers of Dr. Frederick G. Sampson II, pastor of Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church of Detroit Mich., noted lecturer and keynote speaker, and member of various commissions and boards dedicated to human rights, community outreach, and community education.

The Frederick G. Sampson collection includes personal and church related papers that document his professional work and church activities from 1970 until his death in 2001. In addition, there is some information about the Foundation established in his name. The papers are arranged in the following series: Pastoral Career and Personal Papers.

African-American Baptist congregation located in Detroit, MI.; also called Shiloh Baptist Church. The record group includes a church history, celebratory and obsequy programs, clippings, and notebooks of materials accumulated during the pastorates of R. B. James, Solomon David Ross, William H. Crews, and Harold Knox; also bulletins of church services.

The Greater Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church records includes a church history, celebratory and obsequy programs, clippings, and notebooks of materials accumulated during the pastorates of R. B. James, Solomon David Ross, William H. Crews, and Harold Knox; also bulletins of church services. The record group consists of four series: Church Publications, History, Topical File, and Miscellaneous Records.

Methodist clergyman, pastor of the Centre Methodist Church in Malden, Massachusetts, the Elm Park Methodist Church in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and Central Methodist Church in Detroit, Michigan. Correspondence, 1938-1958, subject reference file, ca. 1902-1966, name reference file, 1938-1958, sermon file, 1925-1958, scrapbooks, 1928-1958, church bulletins and newsletters from church at which Crane pastored, sound tape recordings of messages preached by Crane, and visual materials consisting of photographs and motion picture film. The Crane papers document an interest in, and activities with, various liberal and progressive organizations, and his association and friendship with other clergy and individuals with similar pacifist and activist backgrounds.

The files of clergy are often narrow in scope encompassing only the activities of an individual within the setting of his/her own church. Henry Hitt Crane was more than the pastor of Central Methodist Church in Detroit. He was a nationally known speaker, eloquent in his advocacy of pacifism and civil rights. The Crane collection reflects the scope of his activities both within the churches he pastored, within the city of Detroit as an influential church leader, and nationally within larger Methodist circles and among other advocates of liberal causes similar to his own. Through his correspondence, articles, and published messages, we see Crane as representative of that class of nationally known clergymen, respected for their opinions, champion of progressive causes, and willing participants in the often contentious debates that followed World War I on matters of morality, politics, and social justice.

The Crane papers, with some exceptions, cover the period when Henry Hitt Crane first entered the ministry during the years of World War I and continuing past his retirement, until approximately 1964. There is decidedly less material from the years before his coming to Central Methodist Church in 1938; by far the largest bulk of documents date from 1938 to 1958 when Crane pastored this metropolitan church. The exceptions to the basic span dates of 1917 to 1958 are files collected by Crane of sermons, published pamphlets, and other materials of his father and uncle, also Methodist clergymen. There are also materials that date after 1958, mainly copies of messages received from other clergy with some correspondence.

The Crane papers have been maintained in the order as created by Crane and his secretarial staff at Central Methodist Church. The series in the collection are Correspondence, Subject Reference Files, Name Files, Sermon Files, Scrapbooks, Church Bulletins and Newsletters, Visual Materials, and Retirement Files.

Church established by German immigrant workers to Detroit. The congregation was formerly associated with the Evangelical and Reformed Church. Series in the record group include Administrative files, Registers of Services, Historical Materials, records of Church Organizations, Yearly Files, Publications, and Visual Materials.

The records of Immanuel United Church of Christ have been arranged into seven series: Administrative, Register of Services, Historical Materials, Church Organizations, Yearly Files, Publications, and Visual Materials.

The Metropolitan Christian Council (Detroit-Windsor) has been organizing the Detroit community around issues of faith since 1919. The record group documents the activities of the Council from the early 1920s until 2003. Records include annual reports produced by the Council, minutes from administrative meetings, pamphlets and promotional materials, photographs of council leadership and churches, topical files, and videotapes of television programs produced by the council.

The records of the Metropolitan Christian Council have been divided between two archival repositories. The first accession was given to the Walter Reuther Library, Wayne State University, in Detroit. A summary listing of these materials will be found in the Related Materials portion of this finding aid. In 2006, the Council, upon concurrence with archivists at the Reuther Library, donated additional records to the Bentley Historical Library. This second accession of records dates close to the founding of the organization and extends up to 2004. The series within the two accessions, however, do not seem to overlap and consist of different kinds of records.

The record group donated to the Bentley Library now comprises seven record series: Board of Directors, Council Packets, Programs, brochures, and other publications, Annual Reports, Topical Files, Television Programs, and General Assembly. In addition, the Council donated issues of its annual church directory and its newspaper -- The Newscaster-- which have been pulled from the records and cataloged separately.

Detroit, Michigan Presbyterian Church; organizational records, publications, baptismal and membership records, scrapbooks, files of the women’s organization.

The records have been arranged into the following series: Administrative and Topical Files; Board of Deacons, Reports and Directories; Women's Organizations; Schooner Mariners; Publications; Baptismal Records; Membership Records; and Scrapbooks.

Founder of the S.S. Kresge Company. Collection contains business and personal papers relating to Kresge's financial dealings and into his involvement with various churches and educational institutions. Materials include photographs.

Original business and personal papers relating to Kresge's financial dealings and into his involvement with various churches and educational institutions. Materials include photographs.

Oldest African American church in Michigan; administrative records, papers of individual pastors, church publications.

This record group thoroughly documents Second Baptist's efforts to tend to both the spiritual and physical needs of Black Detroiters since the 1920s. The Administration, Pastors' Papers, Publications, and Photographs series reflect, respectively, the internal workings of the church, the private efforts of the pastors over time, and the publicly presented external face of Second Baptist. The microfilm (representing 6 linear feet of manuscript material) consists of annual reports, financial records, histories, minutes of advisory board meetings, pastoral correspondence, annual and quarterly publications, and weekly bulletins. There is also a scattering of photographs. The work of Second Baptist before the 1920s is visible retrospectively in histories and reminiscences sanctioned by the church in the 1930s. The records of the church for the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries were evidently destroyed in the fires of 1916 and 1917.

Historical and other background information; vestry records include correspondence, meeting minutes, reports, registers of church services, and other subject files; records of church organizations; files pertaining to church camp and special church services; printed materials, and photographs.

The records of St. Andrew's Memorial Episcopal Church (1886-1987) contain items such as meeting minutes, reports, service bulletins, publications and photographs which tell the story of the church. The records are divided into five main series, Background information; Vestry Records, Register of church services; Registers of baptisms, burials, marriages, communicants; Church Organizations, Church Activities, Printed Materials and Photographs.

St. Columba's Episcopal Church in Detroit, Michigan was established in 1913 as a mission extension of Old Christ Church, was incorporated, and continued functioning until 2003. The records group includes administrative records, vestry records, official church registers, and information on church activities.

The record group is divided into four series: Administration, Vestry Records, Church Registers, and Activities.

Church located in the Brightmoor area of Detroit, Michigan. Vestry meeting minutes; administrative files; registers of services; registers of baptisms, burials, marriages, etc.; records of different church organizations; bulletins of special church services; yearly files of collected clippings, photos, and other materials regarding church activities.

The records of St. James parish include vestry minutes, 1924-1993; baptism, confirmation, marriage, and burial records, 1926-1993; bulletins, administrative records; records of the Episcopal Church Women and other parish organizations; and photographs. This record group has been divided into nine series covering the period from 1923 soon after the church began conducting services until 1993 when the church members decided to disband.

Episcopal church located in the Seven Mile-Gratiot area of Detroit. Registers of baptisms, confirmations, marriages, burials, etc.; registers of church services; vestry minute books; records of church organizations; historical information; subject files; and photographs.

Registers of baptisms, confirmations, marriages, burials, etc.; registers of church services; vestry minute books; records of church organizations; historical information; subject files; and photographs.

Church formed in 1971 from the merger of two Detroit, Michigan, Episcopal parishes. Records include historical and informational files; vestry minutes and treasurer's records; records of church organizations; publications and church bulletins; subject files; scrapbooks; and photographs.

The records of St. Matthew's and St. Joseph's Episcopal Church divide into the following record series: the records of St. Matthew's (before the 1971 merger); the records of St. Joseph's (before the 1971 merger); the records of the merged church (1971 to the present); photographs, oral history project, and Sara Hunter collected materials.

Episcopal church located in Detroit, Michigan. Sacramental records including baptismal, marriage, and burial registers; registers of confirmations and communicants; vestry minutes; and photographs.

The collection contains chiefly the sacramental records of the parish: Baptismal, marriage, and burial records are relatively complete for the period 1901-1978. Records of confirmations and communicants are somewhat less complete. Vestry minutes are incomplete--several volumes of minutes are missing from the collection.

The collection also includes a few photographs.

Correspondence, administrative files, Sunday bulletins, and topical files relating to the activities of the church and its pastors, most notably William Hilliard and William C. Ardrey.

The records of St. Paul A.M.E. Zion Church have been arranged into five series: Administrative, Topical Files, Correspondence, Photographs, and Sunday Bulletins.

St. Philip's and St. Stephen's Episcopal Church was formed in 1917 with the merger of St. Philip's (begun in 1886) and St. Stephen's (organized in 1869). The church closed in 2009. The records of St. Philip's and St. Stephen's Episcopal Church include records of St. Stephen's Church (1869-1917), records of St. Philip's Church (1886-1917), and records of the merged church (1917-2008).

The records of St. Philip's and St. Stephen's Episcopal Church include records of St. Stephen's Church (1869-1917), records of St. Philip's Church (1886-1917), and records of the merged church (1917-2008). For each of these sets of records, the researcher will find church registers containing membership information, such as record of baptisms, confirmations, marriages, burials, church history, and communicants. In addition for the merged church, there are also vestry materials, newsletters, directories, annual reports, church history and anniversary materials, and a scattering of photographs.

Church established as mission Sunday School in 1884 and disbanded in 1988 because of declining membership. Registers of baptisms, marriages, burials and communicants; registers of church services; vestry minutes, annual parish meeting minutes, bishop's committee minutes, correspondence, budgets and treasurer's annual reports, and photograph albums.

The records of St. Thomas Episcopal Church document the history of an urban Detroit church and span the years 1885 to 1988. The record groups has been arranged into the following series: registers of baptisms, burials, marriages, communicants; registers of church services; vestry minute books; office files, and photograph albums.

The records of St. Timothy's, transferred to the library following its dissolution, include registers, record books, and other materials from both St. Timothy's and from St. Augustine's (prior to the merger.

The bulk of the records relate to St. Timothy's and include parish registers with records of communicants, baptisms, confirmations, burials, and marriages; registers of church services; treasurer's record books; record books containing names of members and record of their giving; vestry minutes; subject files; church newsletters and bulletins, and photographs and a videotape.

The records of St. Augustine's date from 1929 to 1968. These records include a parish register and a register of church services, and a file of correspondence and other papers of the Rev. E.D. Morisseau.

Minutes, rosters of ministers, and statistical and financial records; also retired records of individual Presbyterian churches, including the; and miscellaneous synodical files.

The record group includes record books of defunct Presbyterian churches within the Presbytery. Most of these are Detroit churches: Cadillac Boulevard, Broadstreet United, Third Street Union Mission Sunday School, Church of the Redeemer, Forest Avenue, Marston Avenue, and the Welsh United. Also included are Hamtramck United Presbyterian Church, Waterford Center Presbyterian Church, and Ida Presbyterian Church. A valuable source of information about the churches of the Presbytery is the Church Files series which includes annual reports, membership directories, clippings, and other materials relating to church activities. The Administrative records and topical files is of value for evidence of the church's role in issues of race and poverty. The minutes of Presbytery meetings contain the earliest records of the organization dating back to 1828.

Universal Hagar’s Spiritual Church was founded by Father George W. Hurley in 1923 in order “to promote the study of the science, phenomena and philosophy of spiritual religion” and is based in Detroit. The record group includes some material from the early years of the church’s operation, but with the bulk of the records documenting church activities after the year 2000.

The record group is arranged in three series: Background, Church Activities, and Publications.