The Historic Unitarian Church on Woodward Destroyed by Fire

[p69rrh51]

Designed by Donaldson & Meier. First Unitarian Church of Detroit 2870 Woodward Avenue built in 1890 First Unitarian-Universalist Church Historic District Detroit, MI. Includes images from the Inland Architect and Burton Historical Collection circa 1900 and 1915.

[WaCoTS]

this church probably does not have structural stone walls--they are probably curtain walls, meaning that preserving it as a ruin wouldnt be as practical, but, food for thought:









hey, whaddya know--our very own ForgottenDetroit speaks on the topic:
http://www.forgottendetroit.com/blog/?p=188

by now it is painfully obvious that people do come to detroit expecting to view ruins. why not give them what they want? it doesnt have to be a negative portrayal.

[EastsideAl]

Designed by Donaldson & Meier. First Unitarian Church of Detroit 2870 Woodward Avenue built in 1890 First Unitarian-Universalist Church Historic District Detroit, MI. Includes images from the Inland Architect and Burton Historical Collection circa 1900 and 1915.

Ironic that this came so soon after the demolition of the nearby Temple Hotel. As I wrote about on the Temple Hotel thread, the original and longtime [[from 1864 to his death in 1898) resident of the house that became the hotel was Albert G. Boynton. He was a lawyer, judge, co-owner of the Free Press, and its political editor for 25 years. The Boynton school and neighborhood on the southwest side are named for his wife, Frances.

He was also a Unitarian, a trustee of the congregation, and was the person in charge of the building of this church. He was the one who chose Donaldson & Meier as the architects, approved their plans, and managed the fundraising and budget to get it built.

A very sad loss. Judge Boynton's revenge? Ilitch's parking clearance program? A timely insurance claim? Or just the type of accident that often befalls old empty buildings?