INKSTER, Mich. – A church building that stood for decades at the corner of Williams Street and Chestnut in Inkster is now coming down.
The demolition has sparked mixed emotions among nearby residents who say the vacant church had become both a historic landmark and a growing hazard.
Demolition crews were hard at work on Monday as neighbors watched the structure be torn down brick by brick.
Some said they felt torn, grieving the loss of what they remember as a vibrant community institution, while also feeling relief that the boarded-up building is finally being removed.
“I’m feeling bittersweet. I want to cry, and I’m kind of happy,” said Coco Bailey.
Neighbors say the church went through several name changes over the years and once hosted major performers, including Aretha Franklin.
They also say her father, the late Rev. C.L. Franklin, preached from the church’s sanctuary.
“I’m sad. I’m really sad. Because I remember when it was a vibrant church,” said Marissa Bailey.
Some neighbors described the building as historic, sharing longtime stories about its past, including claims it may have been a stop on the Underground Railroad.
Marilyn Hearn, who said some of her relatives served as pastors at the church, questioned why the building wasn’t preserved.
“I don’t think it should be torn down,” Hearn said as she watched demolition continue.
But others said the church’s decline had been severe in recent years, leaving it vulnerable to vandalism and creating safety concerns for people living nearby.
“I’m kind of feeling a mix of emotions. Like disappointment. I’m feeling good that it’s finally getting torn down,” said Tristan Bailey.
The Bailey family has lived across the street for more than five decades.
They said the vacant building had become a dangerous nuisance, attracting unwanted activity.
“It’s been a lot of homeless people, kids, just a lot of stuff going on in that church,” said Paige Bailey.
Contractors on site said Wayne County owns the property.
Harley Brown, the director of operations overseeing the work, said crews began fencing the area back in October and notifying neighbors about the demolition plans.
Brown said vandals had stripped the building, but the crew tried to give neighbors a chance to preserve memories before it came down.
“I told them that they could get bricks, they could take pictures and do things that they wanted to do to feel comfortable,” Brown said. “But at this time, it was an eyesore, and we are fighting blight.”
Even with the demolition underway, some residents said they would have preferred to see the building redeveloped.
“I believe it could have been a rec center, a school, a private school, or even opened it up as a church again,” said Andre Arturo Johnson.
Wayne County has been contacted about future plans for the now-former church site, but there has been no word yet on what could come next.