FIRST METHODIST
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
The origins of the First United
Methodist Church can be traced to
1831, when preacher Elijah Pilcher
arrived in "Jacksonburgh" to serve
the town's growing Methodist commu-
nity. Services were held around town
until a small church was erected in
1850. The congregation built a
larger church at the present site in
1868. In 1922 Detroit architect
W.E.N. Hunter designed the current
Neo-Gothic structure around the 1868
Church, which is still visible in
the sanctuary. A larger pipe organ
and the Virginia and Katherine Hayes
memorial window were installed at
that time, donated by businessman
C.B. Hayes. Prominent members also
Included W.A. Foote, co-founder of
Consumers Power Company. The church
was enlarged yet again in 1954.