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It was the Rev. Arthur A. Metcalf of Bancroft Congregational Church who first conceived the idea of organizing a Church in Durand. On May 27, 1896, he visited several families in this fast growing railroad center and invited them to a meeting on the 31^st to discuss the possibility of forming a new Congregational Church. At a subsequent meeting on June 5^th, the group voted to incorporate. They voted to accept the Bancroft Church Constitution as their own.

The congregation moved quickly. Less than two weeks after the idea for the Church was conceived, the first Worship Service was held, and on April 23, 1899, after only two years and nine months, the present Church building was dedicated. They had selected a plan from the Benjamine Prices Catalogue of 1887. The plan chosen for the Church was in the shape of a cross. Upon entering the building, you symbolize entering the empty cross of goodness overcoming evil. The total cost of this beautiful building was only $4,927.93 back in the late 1890s!

Over the years many improvements and additions have been made to the building, but even more important than this is the spiritual growth that has been fostered over the years. For example, we have had several young people enter the ministry, the first being Elmer E. Baker in 1938.

With 370 members and friends we are currently a one Pastor sized Church in which our members and friends can truly relate as a “Church Family”, owning one another’s hopes and cares as their own. We are proud of our fiscal responsibility and our missionary outreach. We pray that all will be strangers here but once by offering a congenial and inspiring spiritual atmosphere, with an ever-enlarging opportunity to serve our Lord and our fellow humanity.

(Data Source: 1988 church directory)

Church History

by Cindy Gangler

June 1896

DURAND EXPRESS

110 years ago this month!

ORIGINAL CHURCH DOCUMENT

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRECEPTS, That we, the undersigned, having organized ourselves into a Congregational Church under the laws of the state of Michigan, according to the provisions of the Act of 1889, and being of full legal age, do hereby sign and agree to the following Articles of Association:

1. This Church shall be known by the Name and Style of "The First Congregational Church of Durand, Michigan."

2. The Church shall be located in the Village of Durand, Michigan.

3. We agree to worship and labor together as a Church of the Lord Jesus Christ according to the Faith and Usages of the churches commonly called Congregational.

4. The qualifications for membership and the means by which any person may become a member of this church shall be according to the Constitution and Creed adopted by this church, and as it may be legally amended from time to time.

5. We agree that all persons who may hereafter become associated with us in this organization shall be entitled to equal privileges and rights in the grants and franchises in and by the virtue of the statute in such cases made and provided.

In witness thereof we hereunto set our hands and seals this ______ day of June 1896, in the Village of Durand. (Notarized June 8, 1896)

Signed by: Mrs. Jennie Taggart, Mrs. LK Fair, Mrs. Georgiana Henry, Margaret Kernaghan, David Hopkins, Mrs. H. Marshall, Frank Conn, Mrs. Libbie Conn, Mrs. Ella Kellogg, Elbert Henry, John Kernaghan, LJ Bush, Mrs. LJ Bush; all of Durand.

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1896 AD	ABOUT US	2006 AD

	CHURCH HISTORY The First Congregational Church of Durand was incorporated on June 8, 1896. According to the first Annual Report of the Church Clerk the Church was begun with, “…13 charter members, strongly of one determination to live for Christ.” By December of 1897, the membership had more than doubled to thirty members.
	It was the Rev. Arthur A. Metcalf of Bancroft Congregational Church who first conceived the idea of organizing a Church in Durand. On May 27, 1896, he visited several families in this fast growing railroad center and invited them to a meeting on the 31^st to discuss the possibility of forming a new Congregational Church. At a subsequent meeting on June 5^th, the group voted to incorporate. They voted to accept the Bancroft Church Constitution as their own. The congregation moved quickly. Less than two weeks after the idea for the Church was conceived, the first Worship Service was held, and on April 23, 1899, after only two years and nine months, the present Church building was dedicated. They had selected a plan from the Benjamine Prices Catalogue of 1887. The plan chosen for the Church was in the shape of a cross. Upon entering the building, you symbolize entering the empty cross of goodness overcoming evil. The total cost of this beautiful building was only $4,927.93 back in the late 1890s! Over the years many improvements and additions have been made to the building, but even more important than this is the spiritual growth that has been fostered over the years. For example, we have had several young people enter the ministry, the first being Elmer E. Baker in 1938. With 370 members and friends we are currently a one Pastor sized Church in which our members and friends can truly relate as a “Church Family”, owning one another’s hopes and cares as their own. We are proud of our fiscal responsibility and our missionary outreach. We pray that all will be strangers here but once by offering a congenial and inspiring spiritual atmosphere, with an ever-enlarging opportunity to serve our Lord and our fellow humanity. (Data Source: 1988 church directory) Church History by Cindy Gangler June 1896 DURAND EXPRESS 110 years ago this month! ORIGINAL CHURCH DOCUMENT KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRECEPTS, That we, the undersigned, having organized ourselves into a Congregational Church under the laws of the state of Michigan, according to the provisions of the Act of 1889, and being of full legal age, do hereby sign and agree to the following Articles of Association: 1. This Church shall be known by the Name and Style of "The First Congregational Church of Durand, Michigan." 2. The Church shall be located in the Village of Durand, Michigan. 3. We agree to worship and labor together as a Church of the Lord Jesus Christ according to the Faith and Usages of the churches commonly called Congregational. 4. The qualifications for membership and the means by which any person may become a member of this church shall be according to the Constitution and Creed adopted by this church, and as it may be legally amended from time to time. 5. We agree that all persons who may hereafter become associated with us in this organization shall be entitled to equal privileges and rights in the grants and franchises in and by the virtue of the statute in such cases made and provided. In witness thereof we hereunto set our hands and seals this ______ day of June 1896, in the Village of Durand. (Notarized June 8, 1896) Signed by: Mrs. Jennie Taggart, Mrs. LK Fair, Mrs. Georgiana Henry, Margaret Kernaghan, David Hopkins, Mrs. H. Marshall, Frank Conn, Mrs. Libbie Conn, Mrs. Ella Kellogg, Elbert Henry, John Kernaghan, LJ Bush, Mrs. LJ Bush; all of Durand.