The doors of Grosse Pointe Congregational Church open each Sunday morning at 240 Chalfonte Avenue, on the corner of Chalfonte and Lothrop in Grosse Pointe Farms. The building sits next to Brownell Middle School, just a few blocks from Lake St. Clair, and for more than eighty years it has been a steady gathering place for a congregation that describes itself with three words: faith, creativity, and community. The church's motto, "Jesus welcomed everyone. So do we." is not a throwaway line. In 2016, the congregation unanimously voted to become an Open and Affirming church of the United Church of Christ, formally committing to welcome people of every sexual orientation, gender identity, race, age, and background into the full life and leadership of the church. That welcome is the first thing a visitor meets, and it shapes everything that follows.
Sunday Morning at Ten
Worship happens every Sunday at 10:00 a.m. in the sanctuary. The service draws from historic Christian tradition and brings together Scripture, prayer, preaching, and music. It lasts about an hour, and people are free to participate as they feel comfortable. Some sing and respond, while others prefer to listen and reflect. The music program centers on the Chancel Choir and the Handbell Choir, both of which are supported by a part-time Worship Music Leader who serves as pianist and organist, directs the choirs, and selects preludes, postludes, and congregational hymns.
After worship, the congregation moves to the Lounge for coffee and conversation. The Lounge is a relaxed space to meet people, reconnect with friends, and ease into community at one's own pace. The pastor, Rev. Richard Yeager-Stiver, often introduces himself to newcomers after the service, and visitors are welcomed whether they are exploring faith, returning to church, or simply curious. Dress ranges from casual to more traditional attire, and the building is fully accessible from the parking lot in back.
Each Sunday's bulletin is posted online, and the service is livestreamed on YouTube for those who cannot attend in person. The church's sermon archive, called the Pastor's Messages, includes recent series on the story of Jacob, the Holy Spirit, Holy Week, and the resurrection, and the weekly newsletter The Comment keeps the wider community connected between Sundays.
Four Milestones on the Path
The congregation was organized in 1940 under the leadership of Rev. Charles Scheid, taking root in the Congregational tradition that values thoughtful faith, community leadership, and the freedom of each local church to guide its own life and ministry. In 1957, the church joined the United Church of Christ, the Protestant denomination formed by the union of several historic traditions and known today for its commitment to justice, inclusion, and thoughtful theology.
In 1976, the congregation welcomed the members of Jefferson Avenue Baptist Church, bringing together two communities with shared historical roots in the Pilgrim and Puritan traditions. That act of unity shaped the church's sense of itself as a hospitable place. Then, in 2016, the membership voted unanimously to become an Open and Affirming congregation. The governing documents were updated to clearly state that all people, regardless of gender identity or gender expression, are welcome into the full life and leadership of the church. Each of those four moments (founding, joining the UCC, the merger with Jefferson Avenue Baptist, and the Open and Affirming vote) is still part of how the congregation tells its story.
Welcome, Open and Affirming, and the Mission to RISE
The church's welcome is grounded in a four-word mission: RISE, which stands for Reach Out, Inspire Others, Serve, and Embrace Diversity. The congregation seeks to follow Jesus' commandment to love one another boldly, generously, and without condition. As an Open and Affirming congregation of the United Church of Christ, GPCC fully welcomes and affirms persons of all sexual orientations, gender identities, races, ages, and abilities, and celebrates every person as a reflection of God's love.
The mission shows up in the special services the church observes throughout the year. The rhythms of the Christian calendar shape the worship life: Christmas Eve candlelight services filled with music and scripture, Ash Wednesday prayer and the imposition of ashes, Good Friday remembrance of the crucifixion, Easter celebration of resurrection, and All Saints Sunday as a time to honor loved ones who have died. Alongside those seasons, the church marks justice-centered moments with services for Martin Luther King Jr. Sunday, a Juneteenth worship held in partnership with Whosoever Ministry, a Scout Sunday honoring local Scouts, and an annual Blessing of the Animals held outdoors on the church grounds.
The Sanctuary, the Lounge, and the Lower Level
The sanctuary is a New England-style worship space and is the heart of the building. It includes both a piano and an organ, and the floor plan can accommodate soloists, small ensembles, a choir, or even an orchestra for special occasions. Live streaming capability is built into the room so that weddings, memorial services, and weekly worship can be shared with those who cannot attend in person. Photography is welcome during services.
Below the sanctuary, the lower level of the building has become almost a campus of its own. The Fellowship Hall, with its warming kitchen, hosts potlucks, receptions, film screenings, and community meetings. The Art Gallery (also called the Arts Ministry Gallery) presents rotating exhibitions by local artists, including members of the Detroit Society of Women Painters and Sculptors. An Art Studio provides space for workshops, painting sessions, and creative collaboration. A flexible Theatre hosts rehearsals and performances, including those of the Fine Arts Society of Detroit. And a dedicated Recording Studio supports vocalists, musicians, and creative projects of all kinds, from music to sound design for theatre productions.
The Lounge, which serves as the gathering space after Sunday worship, also hosts smaller meetings, knitting circles, and Coffee and Conversation mornings with the pastor and the moderator of the Board of Stewards.
Knit Wits, Final Feast, and Other Tables
Community life at GPCC is built around tables. On the 2nd and 4th Monday afternoons through mid-December, the Lounge fills with needles, yarn, and good conversation for Knit Wits. Despite the name, knitting is not required; crochet, embroidery, cross-stitch, needlepoint, and other needlework projects are all welcome, and beginners sit alongside longtime stitchers. On the last Sunday of every month, the Fellowship Hall becomes home to the Final Feast Potluck. After worship, the congregation shares a casual meal together, and newcomers, longtime members, families, and singles all pull up chairs. As the church's invitation reads, "There is always enough, and your presence matters more than your casserole."
Those two rhythms are joined by other regular touchpoints. Coffee and Conversation with the Pastor and Moderator invites anyone to drop into the Lounge between services for an unhurried conversation about the life of the church. The Grosse Pointe Camera Club uses the Fellowship Hall for monthly meetings, and church members regularly take part in the Fine Arts Society of Detroit's productions, including recent performances of The Bookstore at Players Playhouse.
Art, Music, Theatre, and Recording at GPCC
The Arts Ministry was established in 2016 to provide an opportunity for people inside and outside the congregation to connect with God and each other through the creative process. Six years after its founding, the ministry is now a major reason people find their way to the church. The Art Gallery has hosted exhibitions by Janet Kondziela ("The Toys Go to Church"), by the painters and ceramicists of "In Dialogue" (Steven Schoeberlein and Susan Hipsley), and most recently by Linda Allen, whose colorful exhibition Travels in Art is on view in the lower-level gallery through the fall. Each exhibition is paired with a free public artist reception.
Music is woven into worship through the Chancel Choir, which welcomes singers of all experience levels, and the Handbell Choir, which makes it easy to jump in even if a participant does not read music. Outside of worship, the church hosts paid concert events such as Classic Rock Night with Rewind Detroit in the Fellowship Hall, and theatre productions by visiting groups and church members alike. The Recording Studio is open to vocalists, musicians, and creative projects, and artists who want to participate can be connected with the right person by filling out the Create With Us form.
Bible Conversations Under the Trees
Outside near the Chalfonte entrance, beneath the pine trees, GPCC has hosted a relaxed summer Bible conversation series called "Under the Trees." The gatherings take place on Wednesday afternoons and are inspired by C.S. Lewis' The Four Loves. They are relaxed: no RSVP, no preparation, just an hour of conversation about Scripture in the fresh air. In other seasons, the church has offered a three-week New Members Class for anyone interested in learning more about the congregation or becoming a member, and Pastor Richard's weekly messages are archived online as both reflections and sermons.
The pastor's messages themselves reflect a consistent theological center. Recent series have followed the story of Jacob from the book of Genesis, exploring themes of grace, wrestling with God, the covenant, and the God who arrives in unexpected places. Other messages have engaged with the Sermon on the Mount, the resurrection, the Holy Spirit, Psalm 121, and the confession of Peter in Matthew 16, with titles such as "The Most Powerful Force in the Universe," "Above the Noise," "The Tender Side of God," and "The Declaration Was Never Finished." Each message is structured around a Scripture passage and a contemporary hook (from Nintendo's Seal of Quality to March Madness) and ends with a simple reflection question.
Reaching Out Across the Street and Beyond
Outreach is one of the most visible expressions of the church's mission to RISE. Every month, GPCC partners with St. Paul Lutheran Church, located directly across from the church on Chalfonte, to support Motor City Mitten Mission, an outreach effort serving people experiencing homelessness in Detroit. Volunteers meet at St. Paul to chop vegetables, bag desserts, and prepare meal kits, and a separate crew packs individual hot meals into to-go boxes. The work takes about an hour, no experience is needed, and GPCC members also supply cookies and brownies for the meals. Sign-up sheets are available at church.
Beyond that ongoing partnership, the church has hosted film screenings and discussions that bring the wider community in. A screening of Olga's Story, a documentary about Holocaust survivor Victoria "Olga" Lechniak, was followed by a live Q and A with the survivor herself in honor of her 90th birthday. The church has also partnered with the national Wear Orange movement for a screening of the Oscar-winning documentary All the Empty Rooms about gun violence, complete with conversation and reflection. The church is a regular sponsor of the Grosse Pointe Pride Celebration, hosting a Children's Activity Area at Maire Elementary School, and it has joined Whosoever Ministry for a special Juneteenth worship and shared luncheon.
For those who want to serve within the church rather than outside its walls, GPCC organizes volunteers into four teams: Hospitality and Welcome (greeting, communion, and creating a warm environment), Worship and Music (readings, music, and helping lead worship), Tech and Production (sound, slides, and livestream), and Arts and Community (supporting exhibitions, concerts, and creative events). A volunteer interest form connects newcomers with the right person.
Weddings and Baptisms in a New England Sanctuary
GPCC hosts both member and non-member weddings in its New England-style sanctuary. Weddings may be officiated by Pastor Richard, in which case pre-marriage counseling is required, or by an officiant of the couple's choosing. The church's organist is available, and couples are also welcome to bring their own musicians or ensembles; the space can accommodate soloists, small ensembles, a choir, or even an orchestra. Photography is welcome during and around the ceremony, and a wedding liaison from the church helps coordinate logistics. The wedding package includes the sanctuary, a lounge for preparation, the Fellowship Hall, and access to a warming kitchen for catering. Packages are priced at $1,000 for members and $1,500 for non-members, with a deposit required to secure the date.
Baptism may take place during a Sunday worship service or in a smaller gathering with family and loved ones, and Pastor Richard meets with individuals or families to prepare and reflect on the meaning of the sacrament. The church welcomes baptisms for infants, children, and adults.
Funerals, Memorials, and a Garden for Remembering
For families planning a funeral or memorial service, the church provides a peaceful sanctuary setting, the availability of its organist, and the option of gathering in the Fellowship Hall afterward for a reception. Pastor Richard typically presides, though families may arrange for another officiant. The service package is free for members and $800 for non-members, and includes the sanctuary, the pastor, the organist, and technical support.
On the church grounds, a Columbarium and Scattering Garden offer a final resting place within the church community. The Columbarium holds more than 200 niches in a peaceful garden setting filled with flowers, trees, and seating, and a Scattering Garden is available for those who prefer that option. Memorial plaques can also be added to honor loved ones laid to rest there. Niches are available to members of the church community, with pricing for a niche at $1,100 and the Scattering Garden at $500; plaque pricing varies, as do the open and close service fees. The garden is accessible throughout the year for visits and remembrance.
Visiting Grosse Pointe Congregational Church
The church building sits at the corner of Chalfonte and Lothrop, next to Brownell Middle School in Grosse Pointe Farms. A parking lot is available behind the church, with additional street parking nearby. The main entrance from the parking lot includes ramp access and an elevator, and the building is ADA-compliant and barrier-free throughout, with accessible restrooms on each level. Sunday worship is held in the sanctuary at 10:00 a.m. The church office is open Sundays from 9:00 a.m. to noon and Monday through Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and visitors stopping by during the week are encouraged to use the main entrance off the parking lot. Giving is supported online through a secure giving platform, and the church's annual report and bylaws are available through the Member Hub.
Beyond Sunday morning, GPCC's life unfolds in the Lounge over coffee, around the Fellowship Hall tables on Final Feast Sundays, in the Art Gallery on opening nights, on the lower level with the Chancel Choir, under the pine trees during Bible conversations, and across the street at St. Paul Lutheran Church on meal-packing mornings. It is a congregation that has spent more than eighty years learning to be a place where people of every kind of background can show up, be welcomed, and find a way to serve.