Who We Are

In 1936, Detroit and the nation still struggled against the nation still struggled against the trauma a chaos of a world-wide depression. Frank Couzens, son of James Couzens (philanthropist, Senator, and former Mayor), had followed his father's steps to the Mayor's office. Streetcars clanged along every main thoroughfare, the Red Wings won the Stanley Cup, and Franklin Roosevelt's train stopped in Detroit as he campaigned for a second term. Joe Louis, Walter Reuther, Mickey Cochrane, Frank Murphy, sit-down strikes, "meet me under the clock at Kern's" were all Detroit passwords. Overseas, a rising dictator named Hitler seemed too remote for worry.

 

This was the city when the Rev. T.E. Bernthal of the Lutheran Church of Epiphany on East Seven Mile Road saw the growing necessity for a sister congregation on the northwest. Pastor Bernthal sent his vicar, Carl Kemp, to canvass homes in this part of the city, confirming a need.

 

The first gathering of the next order of business for the new congregation was to find a site and build a suitable house of worship. Eleven miles from downtown (some complained that it was too far out), the present location at Outer Drive and James Couzens Highway was selected. A generous donation from auto industrialist William Knudsen helped to complete the well-appointed building, dedicated on June 20, 1937.

 

Under God's blessings, the young church prospered. With a serene, inspiring place to pray and teach in a growing neighborhood, attendance rose past the capacity of the building, even though two services were offered. The talk turned to expanding the building.

 

After surveying every possibility for an addition, it was decided to construct a new adjoining church, of the same Gothic design, to harmoniously blend with what would become a chapel.

 

Using the same shovel he used in the previous ground-breaking ceremonies. Pastor Kemp broke the earth for the new structure on June 6, 1948. It was an act of faith and optimism, as materials were scarce, and their costs were going up. Building the entrance tower had to be postponed, but in 1954 the church (except for the stained-glass sanctuary windows) was complete.

 

Mr. and Mrs. Max Wollering donated the inspiring windows depicting the Nativity and Resurrection of Jesus. The "Christ in Glory" window was dedicated in 1960 to the memory of Pastor Kemp.

 

From mustard seeds of faith, a beautiful building valued at more than one million dollars is ours to cherish and use to His greater glory.

 

Under the  thirty-year leadership  of  Pastor Kemp's successor, Pastor Theodore  Daniel, the

congregation of Outer Drive Faith has grown smoothly into a place of worship for all people; continues to oppose the heresy of segregation. In a changing Detroit, the faith of our fathers faces new realities, and new potential.

 

Retired in 1985, Pastor Daniel was succeeded in 1968 by Pastor Thomas Van der Bloemen, with

Pastor Fred Gross acting as interim counsel.

 

Pastor Thomas Van der Bloemen was with us for a year and a half. After which Rev. Ed Einem served in the vacancy. Rev James Wiggins, Jr. followed Rev. Van der Bloemen as pastor. On June 27, 1998,

Rev. Roosevelt Gray Jr. became our fifth pastor. After Rev. Gray, Rev. Luke Stephan served as interim

pastor. Each of our pastors enriched our congregation.                                                                                                   

In 2002, our congregation was blessed with our present pastor, Rev. Eddie Morales. Our congregation has changed but is growing spiritually and in membership. For all the things we give God the glory. Being very thankful for these 75 years, we will continue "Keeping the Faith"