St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, was built in 1895 to replace an earlier structure that burned down. It was designed by the architectural firm of Spier & Rohns of Detroit, it is built in the Richardson Romanesque Style. Spier & Rohns designed many churches in Detroit, as well as several in London. Spier & Rohns were active in the 1890’s through the mid part of the first decade of 1900s. They were doing work as Spier, Rohns & Gehrke around the first world war in the Kitchener area.
The rendering above appeared in the Evening Record in July 1896. The accompanying article indicates the church was built with Ohio Stone Facings and Detroit brick. It contained seating for 800. The contractors were Kurlow & Hild of Detroit, and the building cost about $30,000 in 1895 dollars.
My Scottish ancestors attended this church when they lived near downtown in the 1890s until around the 1930s.
My parents were married at the church in the mid-1940’s – I was Christened there in the 1950’s. It is an icon and beautiful piece of architecture. I wonder what the congregation numbers are these days at this location? Does anyone on here know?
Nice post IM.
It’s a fabulous church. I hope it is able to survive.