In response and celebration of GPMC’s 125th anniversary (1990), Thomas A. Arbaugh published “Grosse Pointe Memorial Church 1865 – 1990: It’s History, It’s Life.” The Rev. Dr. V. Bruce Rigdon shared in the foreword:
This brief history invites us all to enjoy and delight in the stories of our past, but also to reflect upon it in order to better understand who we are as a church and where God is calling us to go into the future.
| 1865 | September 7, The Grosse Pointe Protestant Evangelical Association organized the founding of the church. Grosse Pointe, having been settled by the French, was from the beginning largely Roman Catholic, with St. Paul’s Parish serving its spiritual needs. But by 1865 the area was assuming the character of a summer resort for Detroiters, and there were enough Protestants to feel the need for their own church. |
| 1867 | The first church building erected at the corner of Kerby and Lake Shore, on land donated for the purpose by Rufus M. Kerby, one of the founders. |
| 1889 | The corporate name changed to “The Grosse Pointe Protestant Society.” |
| 1890 | The Reverend John Baldwin installed as the first full-time Minister. |
| 1894 | The Little Ivy Covered Church built on the site of the present sanctuary, the land having been given by Joseph H. Berry, whose home was nearby. A frame house in the area to the rear of the church was purchased for the manse. |
| 1920 | The membership voted to become Presbyterian, and the church was renamed “Grosse Pointe Presbyterian Church.” |
| 1925 | A new church house – today incorporated within the present church-house was dedicated. At this time the name became “The Grosse Pointe Memorial Church.” since funds for the new sanctuary being planned were given by Truman H. Newberry and John S. Newberry as a memorial to their parents. |
| 1927 | May 15, The present sanctuary dedicated, built on the site of the Little Ivy Covered Church, which had been torn down. |
| 1928 | Youth group of the church was first called TUXIS (Together Under Christ In Service). |
| 1931 | January 1, Dr. Frank Fitt began his twenty-seven years as pastor. |
| 1954 | The Seabourne Livingstone property between the church and the War Memorial purchased for parking space and future expansion needs. |
| 1956 | January 22, The Prayer Chapel (at first called the “Memorial Chapel”) dedicated. |
| 1958 | September 30, Dr. Fitt retired and became Pastor Emeritus. |
| 1959 | The Allen Shelden Memorial Organ installed, and the Chancel mosaics given in memory of Mrs. Henry B. Joy. October 1, The Reverend Bertram deHeus Atwood became senior minister, serving until June 1969. |
| 1961 | Circles started by the Women’s Association. |
| 1962 | January 24, Board of Deacons established with 24 members. April 1, The new building, containing Barbour Chapel, Fitt Library, Fellowship Hall, and additional facilities for Christian Education, dedicated. At the same time renovations made in the former church house, “Doctors to India” initiated, whereby members of the congregation volunteered time in their specialized fields to overseas missions, a program still continuing today. |
| 1963 | First Women Elders – Mrs. Thomas J. Litle III, (Virginia) and Mrs. Charles Wright (Jan). |
| 1964 | First Woman Clerk of Session – Mrs. Thomas J. Litle III, (Virginia). Endowment Fund Established. |
| 1965 | 100th Anniversary celebrated. |
| 1967 | Reorganization of Session into Councils: Worship, Parish Life, Outreach, Christian Education, and Administration. |
| 1969 | The Reverend Bertram deHeus Atwood resigned to accept a call to Swarthmore, Pa. |
| 1970 | The Reverend Ray H. Kiely became senior minister. Ecumenical Men’s Breakfast began. |
| 1972 | The Women’s Association celebrated its 50th anniversary. It had been preceded by a church group known first as The Ladies Union and later as The Women’s Union. |
| 1973 | April 1, The new Worship Book of Services and Hymns first used. |
| 1975 | Columbarium completed. Interpretation and Support Council established. |
| 1983 | September 30, The Reverend Ray H. Kiely retired and became Pastor Emeritus. |
| 1985 | January 1, The Reverend Louis J. Prues II became Senior Pastor. November 10, The Reverend Louis J. Prues II resigned as Senior Pastor. |
| 1988 | June 19, The Rev. Dr. V. Bruce Rigdon became Pastor. |
| 1989 | New Klais organ was installed. |
| 1990 | 125th Anniversary celebrated. January 3, The Rev. Nancy Allison Mikoski and The Rev. Gordon A. Mikoski became Associate Pastors, developing the Youth Ministry before moving to Atlanta, GA in 1998. |
| 1991 | The Rev. R. Michael Foley became Associate Pastor, developing the Stephen Ministry program before answering a call to Snellville, GA in 2001. |
| 1997 | Major renovation project completed, funded primarily by the Ministry and Mission for a New Millennium. A new lakeside entry and reception area constructed at former site of church kitchen which was moved to former site of Fellowship Hall stage area. Chancel enlarged and chancel walls restored to original angel choir. New sanctuary lighting, dimming, and sound systems installed. Sacristy created. Classrooms and office spaces renovated, and new elevator installed in center of the building. Parking lot renovated, lighting replaced and property lines realigned through swap with Grosse Pointe Club. |
| 2000 | January, The Rev. Joanna L.J. Dunn and The Rev. Thomas F. Rice became Associate Pastors. |
| 2002 | December 31, The Rev. Dr. V. Bruce Rigdon retired and became Pastor Emeritus. He would serve for three mores years as President of the Ecumenical Theological Seminary in Detroit. |
| 2007 | The Rev. Peter Henry becomes Pastor. An Associate Pastor Nominating Committee is formed to seek an installed Associate Pastor for Youth Ministry. |
| 2008 | First adult mission trip to Honduras to work with Tim and Gloria Wheeler. |
| 2009 | Matthew Parker Wrzeszcz is installed as Associate Pastor for Youth and Their Families. |
| 2010 | First summer with Growing with God garden for young children. |
| 2011 | James Biery hired as Organist and Minister of Music. |
| 2013 | “Building on Our Firm Foundation” capital campaign begins. Trinity Terrace (outdoor worship space) dedicated. |
| 2014 | Renovation and restoration work begins on stained glass windows and carillon (bell tower). Sarah Godbehere installed as Associate Pastor for Youth and Their Families. |
| 2015 | GPMC celebrates 150 years of ministry. Members and friends pack 150,000 meals for Kids Against Hunger. Dedication of expanded outdoor columbarium. |
| 2016 | Session forms Diversity Task Force to initiate interracial and interfaith relationships. High school youth travel to Cuba for mission trip. |
| 2017 | Tak-Kin Ho receives the first Esther Porter Ecumenical Minister International Student Scholarship at Princeton Theological Seminary. First Trinity Terrace Triathlon at GPMC. |
| 2018 | Renovation of Crib and Toddler rooms begins. |
| 2022 | Rev. Dr. Jeff Lincicome became Pastor and Head of Staff. |
