Our Story

For more than 80 years, Grosse Pointe Congregational Church has been a place where people gather to worship, connect, and explore faith together.

Our Beginning

A woman dressed in a black academic gown and hood is performing a ceremony, possibly planting a tree, on a rainy day outside a brick building. Several people in formal attire, including men and women, are gathered around watching, some holding umbrellas, with houses and parked cars in the background.

Black and white photo of three men standing outdoors, all wearing hats and coats, with a leafless tree in the background. The man on the right is holding a lever connected to a box.

Construction workers installing a stone marker in front of a new church building at Grosse Pointe Congregational Church in 1942.

1940 | Founded

Grosse Pointe Congregational Church was organized in 1940 under the leadership of Rev. Charles Scheid. From the beginning, the congregation was rooted in the Congregational tradition—one that values thoughtful faith, community leadership, and the freedom of each local church to guide its own life and ministry.
1957 | Joining the United Church of Christ

GPCC became part of the United Church of Christ, joining congregations across the country in a new denomination formed by the union of several Protestant traditions. This partnership connected our church to a broader community committed to faith, scholarship, and service.
1976 | A Congregation Comes Together

In 1976, GPCC welcomed the congregation of Jefferson Avenue Baptist Church, bringing together two faith communities with shared historical roots in the Pilgrim and Puritan traditions. This moment reflected our commitment to unity and hospitality within the wider Christian family.
2016 | Becoming Open and Affirming

In 2016, the congregation unanimously voted to become an Open and Affirming church. Our governing documents were updated to clearly state that we welcome all people—regardless of gender identity or gender expression—into the full life and leadership of the church.

How Our Story Continues

Over time, our understanding of what it means to be the church has continued to grow. Today we are a place where faith, creativity, and community intersect. Music, art, storytelling, and conversation are all part of how we explore faith together.

Our building serves not only as a place for worship but also as a gathering space for artists, community organizations, neighbors, and friends.

Venn diagram with three overlapping circles labeled Faith, Community, and Creativity, with initials GPCC in the center.

Become Part of the Story

Our story unfolds with every new person who becomes part of this community. Some come seeking a place to worship. Others come to connect with neighbors, explore creativity, or serve the community.