St. Andrew’s celebrates 50th anniversary

Joanne White, Marie Nicholas, Nancy Shayna and Janet Suite prepare for the celebration which begins this Sunday for St. Andrew’s 50th.

By Monica Dufour
INDEX Staff Writer

DAVISON TWP. — St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church will celebrate a half-century mark Sunday, May 18, with a Jubilee and hopes members of the Davison community will join in the celebration of the church’s past, present and future.

Even though the congregation is celebrating the 50th year of the inception of the church, Pastor Robert Taylor said the church wasn’t at its current location at 8192 Davison Rd. until 1961.
“The first service took place at the (Davison) Township Hall May 28, 1958,” he said. “After that, the congregation was invited to meet at St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church.

Taylor, who’s been the pastor of the church for about 17 years, said the church has had several renovations. “We had a major renovation in 2001, when we built a sloped roof and put in new doors and windows, and carpet for the Fellowship Hall,” he said. He estimated the cost to be about $200,000.

“They didn’t get a loan to pay for the work; it was all paid for with donations from the congregation and members of the community.”

Davison resident Norton Chapman, 80, said he’s been a member of the church for 50 years. “I was one of the first charter members, now I’m the last one,” he said.

He’s noticed a lot of changes in the church over the years. “I remember when we painted the stones on the front of the church white years ago.”

Chapman said he’s watched the congregation grow over the years. It now has 140 members.
“Reverend Taylor is a Godsend,” he said.

Chapman said he’s found a lot of comfort in being a member. “When my wife, Margaret, died in 1974, I tried to block everything out. At that time, Walter Fitton was the pastor. He made me realize the church is family.”

Chapman is looking forward to the church’s milestone.

“I keep getting older,” he laughed. “I feel ancient; almost prehistoric.”

Taylor said the celebration begins May 11 with the Pentecost service at 10 a.m., a cake and punch reception will follow at 11:15 a.m.

An evening of song and fellowship is scheduled at 6 p.m., May 17. A concert by Undivided is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Jubilee Sunday begins at 10 a.m., May 18. A catered luncheon is scheduled at 11:15 a.m., “After the meal, we will be taking a stroll down memory lane, which includes a pictorial presentation of St. Andrew’s first 50 years,” he said.

Taylor said he’s happy to be part of the congregation. “This is the only church I am aware of where every member of the congregation has their own key.”

For details, call 810-653-6824.