The empty church at 5781 Grand River in Detroit is a beautiful structure. A shell of vandalized red brick and gorgeous windows, this building began life as the Scovel Memorial Presbyterian Church. It is said that Henry and Clara Bryant Ford attended this church during its heyday, but neighbors report that it has been years since anyone could be found worshiping there.
According to a Detroit News article, an attempt was made in 1997 to convert the 70,000 square-foot church to a shelter for battered women. Motor City Blight Busters was involved.
It could not escape the keen eyes of ASS (that’s the Abandoned Structure Squad, a group staffed by a coterie of trained observers) that the plan never came to fruition. A call to Blight Busters confirmed our suspicion. We were told that the church’s owner lost interest, and the plan died on the vine.
Check out all of our Abandoned Shelters of the Week
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