History
A Presbyterian Church in Jackson was organized in June 1837, led by the Rev. Marcus Harrison. Harrison and many of the members were originally Congregationalists, but Congregationalists and Presbyterians often formed on unified church in what was then the western frontier. However, in 1841, Harrison and 57 congregants broke off to found a new Congregationalist church, leaving a small number of Presbyterians behind. The congregation began constructing a new building, but ran out of funds, and it was not until 1843 that the new Congregationalist Church construction was complete. However, Jackson was a growing city, and the influx of new residents also added to the Congregationalist church, which had expanded to 222 members by 1850. By 1858, the church was actively involved in planning for a new building. In 1858, the church purchased two lots on which to construct a new building. The next year, they hiredDescription
The First Congregational Church is a large reddish brown brick Romanesque Revival structure, with a modern two-story brick addition on one side. The original building sits on a stone foundation and is topped with a gabled roof clad with asphalt shingles. The center section of the facade, containing the entryway, projects forward, forming an entryway with a slate covered gable roof. A recessed, round-arch door is within the entryway. The projecting section is flanked by two massive, distinctly different towers. The towers are similar at their bases, but one if taller than the other, extending four sections to the shorter one's two. There are round-headed stained glass windows on either side of the church, which are original to the building. The modern two-story addition is a brown brick structure accented with burgundy enameled metal panels. It sits on a concrete foundation and has a flat roof.Gallery
See also
* * * National Register of Historic Places listings in Jackson County, Michigan * List of Michigan State Historic Sites in Jackson County, MichiganReferences
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