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.
Mayflower Congregational Church
One of the most photographed churches in the Grand Rapids area, the white steeple of Mayflower Congregational Church greets visitors to the East Grand Rapids area.
With 57 charter members, Mayflower Congregational Church was established in 1958. The members initially held services at East Grand Rapids’ Lakeside Elementary School.
Land was donated to the congregation for current church building by Ralph F. and Frances Baldwin and Melvin and Julie Baldwin. In 1961, the first services were held at the present site.
In 1968, two major updates were completed at the church: the addition of an education wing and installation of a 68-rank pipe organ by the Tellers Organ Company. Later an additional 13 pipes were added to the organ. In 1998, the organ was refurbished and additional pipes were added to bring the total to 92. It is considered one of the largest pipe organs in the West Michigan area.
(Sources: http://www.mlive.com/living/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2008/09/several_congregations_mark_mil.html
http://www.pipeorgans.com/organ-directory/mayflow_grandmi/index.cfm
http://www.mlive.com/cadenceadvance/index.ssf/2009/01/mayflower_preschool_celebrates.html )