"We here erect a church as for ourselves, for our children, and to be a sign and token, so long as these
walls shall stand, that St. Andrew's church is for the instruction, the worship, the edification of
children, and that all its ministrations and privileges are for all ages, for all sorts and conditions
of men, without any difference or inequality."
- The Rev. George D. Gillespie, Rector
on the occasion of the laying of the cornerstone of the nave, 1868
Historic St. Andrew's!
Did you know St. Andrew's is the oldest church building in continuous use in Ann Arbor?
To acknowledge this fact, the church was granted a Michigan Historical Marker, which was installed on the front lawn in 2020. You can learn more about our marker at The Historical Marker Database (and by taking a look out on the lawn!).
Establishment & Construction
1800's
Our parish was established in 1827 as a mission of St. Paul's, Detroit. What began in a neighborhood house would eventually grow into the second Episcopal Church in Michigan. By 1838 a wooden church (pictured at left) had been erected on North Division Street.
The cornerstone of the current church was laid in 1868. A now-demolished Rectory (also known as Tatlock Hall) was built in 1880. Page Hall was then constructed in 1880 to serve as a chapel. In 1890, the Chancel was built, with the vested choir singing the first service in Advent of the same year.
1900's
The twentieth century saw many changes to St. Andrew's. In 1903, Palmer Tower was erected (pictured at right) - which still stands today. The sanctuary's beautiful Pewabic tiling was laid in 1917. The current cloister between the church and then Tatlock Hall was constructed in 1932. After more than fifty years of service, Tatlock Hall was demolished in 1947. It was then reconstructed as the current Henry Lewis Hall (better known as Parish Hall) and housed a new chapel, classrooms, and the parish offices.
2000's
More recently, the church underwent a major restoration which began in 2008. From a new slate roof to refurbished stained glass windows to refinished pews and brand new pew cushions, the building saw upgrades both inside and out. A new organ was commissioned in 2015 and installed in November 2021.
An Abbreviated Timeline of Construction
| 1827-8 | Parish established as a mission of St. Paul's, Detroit |
| 1836-38 | Erection of "wooden church" |
| 1867 | Building of present day Nave |
| 1868 | Cornerstone is laid |
| 1869 | Church is consecrated |
| 1880 | Building of Rectory/Tatlock Hall; Cornerstone of Page Hall is laid |
| 1890 | Building of the Chancel |
| 1903 | Erection of Palmer Tower |
| 1917 | Pewabic Tile is laid |
| 1927 | Dedication of Church Bell |
| 1932 | Cloister built between the church and Tatlock Hall |
| 1947-50 | Tatlock Hall demolished; reconstructed as Henry Lewis Hall (current Parish Hall) |
| 1971 | Dedication of Reuter Chancel organ (built by Reuter of Lawrence, Kansas) |
| 1995 | Retiling of Chancel Floor |
| 2007 | Restoration of west gallery windows |
| 2008-11 | Capital Campaign restoration |
| 2020-21 | Chancel renovation in preparation for new organ |
| 2021-22 | Installation of Opus 25 organ (by Richards, Fowkes & Co.of Ooltewah, Tennessee) |
Rectors of St. Andrew's
Since first establishment, St. Andrew's has been home to a number of rectors (some more than once!) from the first full-time rector, The Rev. John P. Bausman in 1834, to our current rector, The Rev. Paul Frolick, who joined us in September 2023. Our longest serving rector was the Rev. Henry Lewis, who was at St. Andrew's for 39 years (1922-61).
- 1830-33: The Rev. Silas W. Freeman *
- 1834-35: The Rev. John P. Bausman
- 1836-38: The Rev. Samuel Marks
- 1838-43: The Rev. Francis H. Cuming
- 1844-50: The Rev. Charles C. Taylor
- 1850-52: The Rev. George P. Williams †
- 1852-53: The Rev. Charles C. Taylor
- 1853-54: The Rev. George P. Williams †
- 1854-61: The Rev. David F. Lumsden
- 1861-75: The Rev. George D. Gillespie
- 1875-83: The Rev. Wyllys Hall
- 1885-89: The Rev. Samuel Earp
- 1889-1922: The Rev. Henry Tatlock
Rectors of the 1800's
- 1922-61: The Rev. Henry Lewis
- 1962-81: The Rev. Gordon Jones
- 1982-84: The Rev. Earl James Lewis Jr.
- 1984-85: The Rev. Robert Henry New ‡
- 1985-95: The Rev. Harvey H. Guthrie Jr.
- 1995-97: The Rev. Robert Lee Hart ‡
- 1997-2006: The Rev. John Nieman
- 2006-07: The Rev. Bryant Dennison ‡
- 2008-22: The Rev. Alan G. Gibson
- 2022-23 The Rev. E. Wayne Rollins ‡
- 2023 - The Rev. Paul Frolick
- * Temporary Missionary
- † Officiating
- ‡ Interim
Rectors of the 1900's and 2000's
