Hartford Memorial Baptist Church in Detroit celebrates 100 years

DETROIT – Hartford Memorial Baptist Church is celebrating 100 years of milestones, services and dedication to the community.

The church, located on James Couzens Highway, has only had three pastors, something member Lanesha Debardelaben said is worth celebrating.

The church was the first one on the near west side in 1917.

It was also one of the first in Detroit and the country to ordain women as deacons.

Women began getting ordained in 1970. From that, a growing number of women felt called to the ministry, said the leader of music ministry, Edith Clifton.

The church is dedicated to community development and social justice. Last year, the church opened a senior living community to encourage those who may live outside the city to come back to Detroit.

The church also has established a Head Start Agency, a tutoring program and the Hartford Institute for Biblical Studies on other properties it owns.

“I believe that the city of Detroit and Hartford Baptist Church have much more to do, and we look forward to doing it,” said the Rev. Charles C. Adams.

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About the Authors:

Koco joined the Local 4 News team in September of 2016. She was born and raised in Metro Detroit, attended Central Michigan University, and previously worked at WOOD-TV in Grand Rapids.