Dixboro United Methodist Church

Michigan has many wooden Greek Revival meeting houses in rural situations. The Dixboro United Methodist Church has been cited as a good example. The hamlet of Dixboro, located a few miles northeast of Ann Arbor, was platted in 1826. Four lots were designated as the village square, and it was here that the village school and church were to be situated. However, it was several decades before the church became an actuality. Dixboro was serviced by circuit riders until 1857 when a revivalist preacher from Ann Arbor began meetings and aroused interest in building a church. The area residents organized themselves, elected a Board of Trustees, and established committees to select a site and plans for the edifice. On December 10, 1857, it was resolved that a church be erected within 25 rods of the public square and cost not more than $2,500. Plans for the church were drawn by Abraham Cooper of Ypsilanti, and J.W. Ford of Saline was chosen to implement them. The church was built along simple lines and is distinguished enough to have been studied by the Historic American Buildings Survey in 1936. Some of Ann Arbor's citizens contributed towards the furnishings. This church, together with the Free (Nondenominational), serviced the Dixboro charge until 1924 when the Free Church was closed. The church serviced the social needs of the community as well as the religious, sponsoring concerts, strawberry festivals, ice cream socials, and oyster suppers. It has continued to grow with the community, having added two educational wings since 1951. Dixboro has been able to support its own Methodist church for two reasons. It is the center of a choice farming community which is able to carry on its own religious activities and has the spirit to do so. Also, its central location for area colleges affords a trial ground for young preachers who can supplement their education by special courses at these institutions, thus serving as a starting-out place for young ministers. For over 100 years Dixboro has been a regular appointment in the Conference.

This white frame village church, offset by the green of the trees and shrubs, has been serving an ever-growing community since 1858. Early in that year the church's Board of Trustees resolved that a building be constructed 35 feet by 55 feet with 20-foot posts and a vestibule 9 feet wide with a gallery directly over. Its simple lines are relieved on the front by four flat pilasters. The gable roof is topped by a two-stage cupola and belfry. An octagonal third stage was removed. The T-plan building has a single tier of windows with triple hung sash, an eight panel front door, and a solid stone foundation. The front portico was added prior to the 1950s. In addition to fine maintenance, modernization has included a new basement, seating arrangement (the old pews were exchanged for new short ones allowing for a center aisle), electric lights, and a new pulpit. Additions to the building include a two-storey educational wing (1951) and a one-storey modern brick wing to the rear of the church (1969).