10/27/2026
Before there was a Berkley First church building, there was simply a small group of people with a vision.
On January 18, 1929, the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Berkley was formed when a small group gathered at the home on Tyler Street. The very next day, arrangements were made to use an empty storefront at 2313 Twelve Mile Road, and on January 20, Sunday School was held there for the first time. One week later, the congregation held its first worship services, welcoming 66 charter members.
Those early years were not easy. The Great Depression took a toll, membership declined, and by 1932–33 only three families in the congregation had full-time employment. Still, the church persevered. By 1934, its debts had been paid, attendance was growing again, and members began dreaming of a permanent church home.
That dream began taking shape in 1937, when ground was broken for a church and parsonage. Members gave generously of their time, money and talents—even helping provide the pews, kitchen equipment and furnishings themselves. As Berkley continued to grow, so did the congregation.
By the early 1950s, Berkley First was once again dreaming about what came next. A new sanctuary wing was planned, and the congregation worked together through paper drives, building-block sales, ice cream socials and other projects to make it possible. Ground was broken in May 1954, and on September 25, 1955, the new $125,000 sanctuary wing was consecrated.
From a handful of people meeting in a home, to a storefront on Twelve Mile Road, to a growing church built through perseverance and generosity, Berkley First’s earliest years tell a story of people willing to step forward together.
Nearly a century later, that spirit continues at Berkley First as we honor those who came before us and look with faith toward all that is still ahead.
