About Us

Detroit was considered the wild west in 1810, when visiting circuit rider Rev. William
Mitchell and seven believers formed The First Methodist Society of Michigan (still Central’s
legal name), the first protestant congregation in the Michigan territory. The first church
building was in what is now Dearborn. First United Methodist Church Dearborn was formed
by those who decided not to move back into Detroit with the rest of the congregation. The
present sanctuary finished in 1867 is the sixth building occupied by the congregation.

Central has a long history of taking the gospel from the sanctuary and applying it in the
street in the struggle for peace and justice. In 1830 Central members were involved in a
protest of a hanging held near church that resulted in Michigan being the first English
speaking country in the world to ban capital punishment. Dr. King spoke at Central many
times at Cental , the last just two weeks before his death. He was even offered the senior
pastorate but turned it down because he was too busy with the civil rights movement.

Central will be celebrating its 200 year anniversary with an entire year of festivities in
2010.. There will be guest speakers including Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. (Jan. 24), Rev. Dr. Otis
Moss (invited Feb. 14—an associate of Dr. King), Rev. Ray Buckley (April 11, Native
American preacher and storyteller), Marianne Williamson (June 6. of Oprah fame) , former
pastors, concerts, historic tours, fund-raising, building improvement projects,
opportunities to create visions for the next 200 years, and a special homecoming service
on the afternoon of Sun. Oct. 2, 2010 with Bishop Keaton preaching (it is in the afternoon
so friends from other congregations can join the celebration, including choirs, African
dancers, and artists from other churches).

On Sun. Dec. 6, 2009, Central kicked off this year of celebration with its annual Peace and
Justice Banquet during which several awards were given. Michigan Supreme Court Chief
Justice Marilyn Kelly received the Maryann Mahaffey award, David Bonoir received the
Labor Award. Damon Keith, and Senior Judge of the US Court of Appeals for the Sixth
Circuit received the Henry Hitt Crane Award. Senior pastor Rev. Edwin Rowe introduced
the keynote speaker and recipient of the pastor’s award, Rev. Dr. Joseph Lowery, a United
Methodist minister who co-founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference with Dr.
Martin Luther King, Jr.

Lowery made his way to the podium using a cane and sat down to speak. He told the crowd
“I believe God is in the election of an African American as our 44th president,” He told us
that Beyonce told him that every time she sees President Obama she wants to become
more intelligent and more involved. “That ought to be the response of every community
and every person of faith,” he said. “It ought to make us want to be smart and serve peace,
even if it means opposing the escalation of the war in Afghanistan.” Rev. Rowe sent us out
“to be little more crazy for justice, equality and peace.”