From Montgomery to Detroit, A Congregational Church - COG Our Ancestors Places of Worship

 The Congregationalists came south to Montgomery Alabama after the Civil War.  First Congregational Christian Church was founded in 1872.  They also supported a school nearby. My grandmother Fannie attended the school and the church. She met her husband Mershell in the church.

When Mershell Graham, my grandfather, migrated north to Detroit in 1918 many of his friends and members of First Congregational were also leaving segregated Montgomery.  In 1919 a group of 9 gathered together to form Plymouth Congregational Church.  They met first in members houses and in borrowed space  until they were able to purchase their own building, a former Synagogue in 1927.   The congregation moved in May 15, 1927.

Plymouth Congregational Church - September 1928.  Detroit, Michigan

They had been in the building a little over a year when this photo was taken. My grandfather Mershell C. Graham, is standing behind his daughters, Mary V. and Doris (my mother).  Their cousin Margaret is standing between them.  They are in the front row, towards the left side of center.  The minister, Rev. Laviscount, is standing behind Mary V.  My grandmother, Fannie, had just given birth to their son Howard so was not there.
 
You can read an online history of Plymouth Congregational Church of Detroit Michigan HERE.
A post about the Cradle Roll my grandmother Fannie filled out at Plymouth  HERE.
You can read about Witherspoon Presbyterian church of which by my paternal grandparents were founders HERE.
A new post on my other blog - Presbyterian Churches in the Cleage Family HERE