Detroit's historic churches still thriving, helping city | Detroit Free Press | freep.com:
At Historic Trinity Lutheran in Detroit, you'll find architectural gems inside the sanctuary, a rare edition of a German-language Bible from the 1700s and a striking bell tower that soars 104 feet above Gratiot Avenue.
But the pastor of this neo-Gothic cathedral near Eastern Market wants you to see his church as a dynamic house of worship, not some old artifact. "We're not a museum stuck in history," said the Rev. David Eberhard, a mural of Martin Luther above him.
Founded 162 years ago, the church on the city's east side has seen its membership jump by 1,000 in the past decade to 2,100 congregants today. And it has a range of programs that make up a busy schedule every day of the week. Its success shows how some of Detroit's historic churches -- those more than 100 years old -- are staying relevant and helping to stabilize the city.
Some face challenges, from leaking roofs to declining membership. But many are growing, or at least holding steady.
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