Click above images to enlarge Bethlehem German Evangelical Church 423Fourth Avenue, Ann Arbor - Washtenaw County Other Names Bethlehem United Church of Christ Property Type church Historic Use RELIGION/religious facility Current Use RELIGION/religious facility Style Gothic Architect/Builder Richard E. Raseman Thomas S. Tanner Narrative Description Bethlehem German Evangelical Church, designed by Richard E. Raseman, is a large, stone, Gothic Style complex which consists of the sanctuary, a cross gable-roof structure with a pyramidal-roof bell tower, built in 1896. Adjoining it is a matching parish house, designed by Thomas S. Tanner, was constructed in 1932-1933. Statement of Significance Bethlehem German Evangelical Church is significant as the home of Michigan's first German church congregation and a fine example of turn-of-the-century and early twentieth century, Gothic style, Protestant church architecture. The Bethlehem Church's first building, called Zion Church, was built in 1833, replaced in 1849 and again in 1896 by the present building. Marker Name Bethlehem United Church of Christ Marker Text BETHLEHEM UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST In the late 1820s and early 1830s many German Protestant immigrants settled in the Ann Arbor area. Desiring to worship in German, they wrote Switzerland's Basel Mission to request a pastor. On August 20, 1833, the Reverend Friedrich Schmid arrived to help found one of Michigan's first German congregations. The church was formally organized on November 3, 1833, as the First German Evangelical Society of Scio. The next month, the congregation completed a modest log structure at the site of the present Bethlehem Cemetery. It built a second church at First and Washington in 1849, and in 1896 dedicated the present stone structure. From 1846 to 1916 the church conducted a parochial school. In 1945 the congregation became an Evangelical and Reformed church; it joined the United Church of Christ in 1958. Period of Significance 1866-1900 Significant Date(s) 1894-95 Registry Type(s) 1983 Marker erected 11/16/1982 State Register listed Site ID# P3811