Although the skyline of the city has changed with the competition to build the tallest building in Grand Rapids, one item remains the same – the many steeples of the churches that are the foundation of our ancestors who settled along the banks of the Grand River.
Each of these represents our past and the immigrants that settled in our area to give Grand Rapids the nickname “Furniture City”.
In this series you will follow the Steeple Chase throughout this great city and view the awe inspiring architecture of our forefathers. The distinct architectural styles represent the great churches of Europe from which these immigrants fled to find a new life in the United States.
This is not meant to promote any one religion, but to show how all have blended together within the City of Grand Rapids to make this one great place to live.
Westminster Presbyterian Church
In 1861, The First Presbyterian Church was established on the west side of the Grand River. Initially a mission church established by Presbyterians on the east side of the river, the first building was a rented wood frame building on the corner of Lyon and Division. Due to church growth, a new building was constructed across the street in 1865.
Located in the heart of Grand Rapids, the current sanctuary was built in 1886 and was able to seat 700 parishioners and was heated by coal stoves and lit by oil lamps. During renovations in 1915, a balcony was added and the chancel and choir lofts were moved to face the south side of the sanctuary.
In 1922, a parish building was added. In 1955, a neighboring building was purchased and serves as the dining room and kitchen for the current congregation of 1,300 members. (source: http://westminstergr.org/about/history)