Our History

“Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God”

 In the 1860’s Caroline and Colin Campbell lived on Apple Island and prayed and dreamed about sharing their faith with the increasing number of people coming into the lakes area during the summer. Out of the prayers, dreams and hard work of the Campbell family (including selling grapes raised on Apple Island to help build the Church), came the Orchard Lake Church. Founded as a Summer Chapel in 1871 with land given by Peter Dow, the original Church building, now called Heritage Hall, was dedicated on July 18, 1874, with the Governor of Michigan, James Bagley, in attendance. Many notable Detroiters worshipped as part of the Summer congregation over the years, including the Lodge family and the family of Charles Lindbergh.

 In the late 1930’s, there were enough year-round residents in the area, a number from the West Acres development, that the Chapel began to be used for Sunday morning worship and Sunday School throughout the year. In 1943, seeking a more permanent organizational identity, the congregation was officially organized as a Presbyterian church, taking the name Orchard Lake Community Church, Presbyterian, and calling the Rev. Mr. Barney Roepke as the first Pastor. During his pastorate, the congregation grew rapidly and the Sunday School classroom, office and Fellowship Hall addition was built.

 In 1974, during the pastorate of Edward Auchard, the octagonal sanctuary was built. After more growth during the pastorate of Mark Allen, and during the pastorate of Phil Hazelton, major renovation work was completed and the expanded parking was provided in 1987-89. In 1991 an old Chapel entrance was transformed into a Prayer Chapel and Columbarium. David Robertson became Pastor in 1995. Recently the LOGOS Mid-Week Family Program, the Bethel Bible Study Program, the Stephen Ministry Program, the Mexican Mission Partnership Program, and the Parish Nursing Program have become a regular part of the Church’s life.

 In addition to its senior pastors, the Church has also been served by assistant associate and interim pastors, Raymond Roche, Henry Jones, Michael Dunkelberger, Edward Pierson, John Vandermulen, Janet Sonnanburg, Gretchen Denton, Tom Green, Jennifer McLaren-Saad, Clover Bailey, Maryla K. Meagher, and Anne Schaefer 

The Church is known for its remarkable strong music ministry, including a semi-annual presentation of “The Messiah” at Christmas, and for the depth and vigor of its Children’s and Youth Ministry programs. Orchard Lake Church as also been a leader in the Detroit Presbytery, both in mission support and mission work programs, including a developing relationship with Hope Presbyterian Church in Detroit and trips to sister churches in Xpujil, Kimbela, and Valdama, Mexico.

 At the heart of its life today is the same prayer and vision of its early founders. As we enter the third millennium of Christian life, and look out from our Church on the shore of Orchard Lake, we pray and dream how our faith in Jesus Christ as Lord can be shared in winsome ways with the increasing numbers of people coming into our area, and beyond the walls of our building.