History of Warren Ave. Baptist Church

The land that makes up the current day Warren Ave. Baptist Church was once the locations of two homes in the 1890s. The home at 1042 Warren was the subject of a prohibition raid in the 1920s, Jack Zeisman, Morris Zeisman, and Sam Leiberman were charged in connection of producing alcohol in the age of prohibition. Their operation was very large with officials seizing 12 gallons of distilled corn whiskey and 25 barrels of mash. Around this same time the land became a mixed used development. With industry being built directly behind the homes. Throughout the years the factory switched hands many times however largely followed Detroit’s "Arsenal of Democracy" moment. In mid 1930s as African American populations grew during the great migration, and the need for a church was needed. In 1937 the Warren Ave Baptist Church was organized. Unlikely many churches in Detroit the Warren Ave. Baptist Church, largely had a black congregation due to its proximity to the black bottom neighborhood. For over 50 years Reverend William R. Matthews was the pastor at the church beginning his service at the young age of only 24. Matthews would go on to become the President of the Baptist Missionary and Educational Convention of Michigan, and served as the Board Chairman of the Carver Camp, a youth facility located near Jackson, Michigan. By the 1950s the church had grown to over 1,500 members and by the late 50s the factory behind the church was purchased and turned into a community center. In 1959 the church hosted the wedding of Smokey Robinson and Claudette Rogers, both large Motown legends, with guests that included Jackie Wilson and Berry Gordy, and still stands today and one of the largest events held by the church. In 1980 Matthews had became minster of the year, however just 10 years later Matthews would die at his home at the age of 76 in 1990. His death on Oct 26th, occurred one day before prior to a massive, scheduled banquet at the Westin Hotel intended to publicly honor his unprecedentedly long pastorship. The church continued on until 2020 when the struggling church closed after years of a shrinking congregation. The congregation has since moved to the northeast side of the city