History

East Congregational Church was organized in 1894 with 15 members and, for a time, met in rented space in East Grand Rapids. By 1896, they had built their first building in East Grand Rapids. (enter photo of first building here.

By 1911, that space became crowded, and a larger church was erected at Norwood and Wealthy Sts. to accommodate their needs. (Place second church building here.)

Some twenty-five years later, the membership had grown to 670. They purchased the dwelling next to the church to help ease the overcrowded main church building, but soon realized that this did not solve the problem and that they needed a more permanent solution

The church purchased six lots at Alexander and Giddings in Grand Rapids with the dream of building a facility to meet the needs of a larger congregation. The plan included well-equipped classrooms for Christian education, a chapel and sanctuary. The Church chose the leading architect for ecclesiastical edifices of the day in the person of Ralph Adams Cram, who had designed many famous churches and collegiate buildings, including Duke University Chapel, Princeton University Chapel, and the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City, as well as many other well known churches. (Plase the Cram drawing here of his plan)

The real work began to bring into reality the dream of their minister, James W. Fifield. Cram’s plan included elements of Gothic architecture, The chapel, and education buildings are connected by a cloister. The buildings were built in sections. First, the education building was erected and was used as the Sanctuary. It was a double height building with a main floor surrounded by a balcony. (Place Cram’s drawing of this element of the building here.) 

The second phase was followed quickly with the building of the Chapel, which was the gift of Albert Berend Klise, Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Klise, and Mrs. Martha Klise Frick. The first service in Klise Chapel was held in May of 1931.( Place drawing of the Klise Chapel here.)

By the 1950’s it was clear the time had come for the Sanctuary addition. While it varies significantly from the original design, city ordinances and the cost of building the original design were unable to be carried out, but the feeling and grandeur of those plans remain. (Place Photos of the Sanctuary here.)

The facility we know today is the result of the love, care, and devotion of generations of members. The double height of the original sanctuary was modified and the balcony and upper portions were made into classrooms,  Part of the Chancel and areas where the pipe organ was situated were converted to offices.Today we designate this area as the Second Space. (Possible contemporary photo)

In 1957, the United Church of Christ was founded by a merger of the Evangelical and Reformed Church and the General Council of the Congregational Christian Churches. The East Congregational Church voted to join this union and became the East Congregational Church UCC.