The Church of the Messiah, at the corner of East Grand Boulevard and East Lafayette Street in Detroit, will commemorate its 150th anniversary this year with a special gala event Nov. 1 at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul in Detroit. This year’s anniversary theme, “The Audacity of Faith,” celebrates the church’s 150 years of service and community building.  

Founded in 1874, the original church suffered a fire, and at that time a new one was scheduled to be built. The mission was built from the remains of the charred former Church of the Messiah, giving the ministry its name and structure. Today, the church serves a diverse congregation of members in Detroit’s Islandview neighborhood.

But the church’s mission extends far beyond worship. It offers vital services such as affordable housing, employment assistance, medical care, and free internet access for residents. Additionally, the church has an 84-member marching band that promotes literacy. Each year, Church of the Messiah Pastor Barry Randolph organizes the Silence the Violence march and rally, one of the largest anti-gun violence events in the country.

One Detroit has covered stories originating from the church about the lives of young men living in Islandview, affordable housing initiatives and successful entrepreneurs. One Detroit’s Will Glover looks back at those stories. And Randolph talks about the church’s milestone anniversary, its community engagement efforts, its support of local entrepreneurs and more.

Explore One Detroit’s Church of the Messiah stories: