Southfield RPC

Location: Southfield, Mich.

Presbytery: Great Lakes–Gulf

Organized: 1834

Membership: 40 communicant; 25 baptized

Pastor: James Faris (17th pastor)

The Southfield, Mich., RPC was founded with 18 communicant members in 1834 by the Western Presbytery. Sixty-five-year-old pioneer and founding elder David Stewart, from the White Lake, N.Y., RPC, led and organized the people who traveled to form the congregation. It became the first church in Southfield since Jesus gave the Great Commission.

Land at that time sold for $1.25 per acre for the privilege of clearing the forests nearly 20 miles from Detroit. Small groups known as societies were formed to facilitate the body life of the church for many years. The present church building was built in 1861 by Joseph Torrence, who completed the work in failing health but was taken to glory before he could worship in it. Over the years, the church has sent a number of sons into pastoral ministry along with missionaries to Cyprus, China, and Australia. The Denison, Kan., RPC was formed in large measure by the migration of Southfield’s pastor, J.S.T. Milligan, and a number of church members in 1871.

Southfield has transformed from a rural township to a bustling city of 75,000 people through the growth of the automotive industry in the last century. Interstate 696 runs near the church building, and 30-story office buildings across the street form a skyline unimagined by the early settlers.

In addition to the regular ministries of the congregation and individuals, along with ministry through Reformed Voice (www.srpc.sermonaudio.com), the Lord has opened doors to minister to students from Lawrence Technological University, located about a mile from the church building. Pastor Faris speaks regularly to the Campus Crusade group there, and fireside chats are hosted for students once a month. Members lead a weekly Bible study and monthly Psalm sing at a local nursing home. The church sponsors two men’s softball teams in the city league. Participants include members, other believers, and unbelievers. Evangelistic studies have developed from these relationships.

The church now enjoys a mix of saints from those yet in the womb to 99 years of age. On Aug. 1 present and past members, along with other friends, gathered to celebrate the church’s 175th anniversary. The congregation faces the challenge of ministering today to members and friends in the community affected by economic hardship. But the congregation rejoices in God’s faithfulness over the last 175 years and looks forward with hope that the Lord will continue to bless the proclamation of the gospel.

Prayer Requests:

• Give thanks for God’s faithfulness over 175 years!

• Pray for members who need employment.

• Pray that the Lord would work in and through the many young people.

• Ask the Lord to give the church further ministry to students at Lawrence Technological University.

Little-Known Facts:

• Thanks to the foresight by a former member in the early 1990s, SRPC holds the web domain reformed.com. A fuller history of the congregation can be found there.

• Twice in the late 1800s the session forbade spitting tobacco juice on the church floor.