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An Introduction
Quoting from the History of Livingston County, “The first religious meetings in this town
were held under the auspices of the pushing, active and zealous denomination called
Methodist Episcopals. Hardly had the first stroke of the settler’s axe awoke the ringing
echoes of the startled forest, and scarcely had the column of dark smoke first risen from
the stick chimney of the settler’s rude log cab, ere the form of the circuit rider appeared
on the scene, anxious to lay the foundation for a future tower of the temple of the
Master's kingdom. As early as the summer of 1836 one of these devoted men appeared
in Tyrone.”
Several church classes were formed right away, consisting of five to ten people and
meeting in their homes. As the population grew, so did the classes and they began
meeting in the various district schoolhouses.
First Methodist Church Of Tyrone
This church first organized in about 1844, meeting at the Cranston schoolhouse.
Occasionally they held their meetings at schoolhouses in other areas of the township. At
one of these meetings, in 1869, a separate class was formed and called the Germany or
East Tyrone Class, and the class merged with the Cranston or Tyrone Centre Class in
1878.
In 1874 it was decided to build a church. There was considerable difference of opinion
regarding the location of the site of the new church, a large share of the members
preferring a site near the center of the township, while others wanted it farther south. It
was finally decided to build upon section 28, in the southern part of the township on
Hartland Road, opposite the burying ground, where Amilo Gardner offered an acre of
ground for a church site. In the spring of 1876 work was begun on the church and it was
ready for occupancy in August. Its size was 32 x 50 feet. The cost, including furnishings,
was about $2,500. In 1880, the membership was about 50 people and the officers were
John C. Salsbury, Class leader; Peter Becker and William Shook, Stewards; John C.
Salsbury, William Shook, J.B. Cramer, Peter Becker, W. D. Gardner, Daniel Betts and
Hemen Gillett Trustees.
The Church met regularly for about forty years, but the membership slowly dwindled, as
many of the original members died and many of the young people of those families left
home and sought work in the cities. They were eventually unable to financially support a
minister, so all past differences being long forgotten, they joined in with the Tyrone
Community Congregational Church. This church too was having financial problems and
the two churches merged in 1919, holding services at the Tyrone Community
Congregational Church. The old Methodist Church was torn down many years ago.
Tyrone Community Presbyterian Church
When the membership of the Methodist Church was so much interested in discussing
the question of a site for the new church, the differences of opinion became so decided
that, when the decision was made to locate at the southern point, the class divided and
made application to have an appointment continued at the Cranston school-house, in
addition to the one at the church. But the officers of the Conference refused to grant this
request thinking that it would lead to the reunion of the divided class by forcing the
seceding group of people to go without preaching or to attend the meetings at the South
church. But they were not to be coerced in the matter, having made up their minds that
they were entitled to preaching in their own locality, so they invited the Congregational
minister from Hartland, Rev. William H. Osborn, to come and preach to them. On the
17th of December 1876, they organized as “The First Congregational Church of
Tyrone”, with 15 members. These were Sylvester and Victoria Harvey, Albert and Mary
Fletcher, Robert and Catherine Petty, Joseph and Mary Barnes, William S. and Martha
Buxton, Eliza Chase, Frances Cranston, Emma Love, Frances Holmes, and Mrs. Lodema
Archbold. At this first meeting, Sylvester P. Harvey and Robert Petty were chosen to act
as Deacons, and Albert Fletcher was elected Scribe. Articles of Faith and Covent were
read and adopted.
Until the winter of 1878-79, the meetings had been held at Cranston schoolhouse, but
about that time they purchased one-half acre from Edward Williams on section 16,
across from the school on Hartland Road for $50. Work on a new church was begun in
the spring of 1879 and was completed in October of the same year. The main part was
32 feet in width and 47 feet long with a vestibule 10 by 14 feet. The total cost, including
furnishing, was about $1825. George Barnes, who lived on Hartland Road, was the
contractor. It was dedicated on Sunday, October 19, 1879.
At that time the membership of the church was 76. The officers were Sylvester P. Harvey
and Robert Petty, Deacons; Adam F. Andrews, Scribe; Almon L. Chase, Treasurer;
Amos Wolverton, Frederic C. Wood, Armstrong Reid, Philo B. Street, and Silas Fletcher,
Trustees.
As stated in the article on the Methodist Church, this church and the Methodist Church
merged in 1919. It was at this time that it was decided to become a Presbyterian Church;
this would join the Methodists and the Congregationalists together into a church that
would be acceptable to both groups. On April 15, 1920, the Church officially became
affiliated with the Presbyterian Church, Presbytery of Flint.
Years ago a long shed stood back of the building for people to hitch their horses while
attending church.
Originally, the church was constructed with a steeple and spire that was 84 feet in height
from the ground. The church was struck by lightning twice, the second time in the big
storm of 1918. It was felt that the gold plated weather vane on the top of such a tall spire
was attracting the lightning, so the steeple was removed and the present one built.
In the 1950’s the original pews were removed, the reason being that they were fairly well
worn and took up more room than was necessary. At the same time Grover Seaton and
Vernon Wright laid a new oak floor. The pews that are now in the church came from the
Linden Presbyterian Church and provide a much larger seating capacity.
In 1956 there was an addition made to the rear of the building to accommodate a
kitchen, rest rooms and classrooms. In 1976 a large wing was added to provide for more
classrooms and a Fellowship hall on the lower level. The Fellowship Hall renamed Dexter
Hall in memory of May and Seth Dexter, who contributed so greatly to the church for
many years.
In 1995, Tyrone Community Presbyterian Church was designated as a Michigan
Historical Site by the State of Michigan. In typical Tyrone fashion, the church embraced
this moment and celebrated the dedication by reenacting the arrival of the Circuit Rider.
The Congregation then entered the church and worshipped in the style of service typical
in the 1800s. In 2001 the Church marked its 125th anniversary.
The church is proud that from its membership at least five of its members-David
Wermuth, Daniel Wermuth, Bernard Kirshman, Gerald Kuyk and James Offrink-went on
to become Ministers of the Gospel.
The membership grew considerably over the years, but always reverted to the mission
that a small church provides to its people. In the 50s under the leadership of Linus Reed
the church divided and Linden Baptist Church was formed while the original church still
thrived. Again in the 70s the church grew to a membership of over 300 members making
it necessary to hold three services every Sunday. Again a new church, Tyrone Covenant
Presbyterian Church on White Lake Road, was born under the direction of the Rev.
Robert Berkey. The membership of the original church was reduced to 13 faithful
servants, Charles and Maryellen Rogers, Philip Rogers, Winifred Boughner, Margaret
and William Oak, Carl Gill, Helen Bantle, Carroll and Frances Becker, Michelle Bantle
Davila and Bethany Hammond. This division set the Church back for many years, as it
was unable to afford a full-time pastor. Now under the leadership of the Rev. Laura
Kelsey, whose family has roots at Tyrone Community Presbyterian Church, the Church
looks forward to a new growth and is working for a new identification in the community as
a binding force for Tyrone Township.
**Excerpts taken from The History of Livingston County
