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First Congregational Church celebrated 175 years

By Sarah Shurge
A lot can happen in 175 years.
Through the test of time, First
Congregational Church of Wayne has
remained and recently celebrated
175 years.
“It’s an honor to be a part of this
legacy, but it does come with a
weight and responsibility to keep
something good going or reinvent
something,” said Bob Cooper, lead
minister at First Congregational
Church of Wayne. “I want to be able
to be a part of that legacy - to do
good work while I'm here.”
Rev. Cooper joined First Congre-
gational Church of Wayne in July
2022. He has been in ministry for
about 23 years.
“I was a salesman in Oakland
County when I felt a call to ministry
and I didn’t know what that was
about,” said Rev. Cooper. “It led me
to going back to school for a degree
in ministry. During my ordination
process, I was an associate minister
at a church. The senior pastor there
looked at me and said my calling
was to be a senior pastor. Then it be-
came clear that this is what it was First Congregational Church of Wayne
leading to.”
Prior to joining First Congrega- from: Governor Gretchen Whitmer, streaming and YouTube, and started
tional Church of Wayne, he was a Lieutenant Governor Garlin live streaming for First Congrega-
minister for 10 years in Greenville, Gilchrist, State Senator Darrin tional Church of Wayne since he
South Carolina, and then he was in- Camilleri, Wayne Mayor John joined in 2022.
volved with online ministry. Rhaesa, Westland Mayor Kevin Cole- “People get their info from web-
“I was looking where to go and man, US Congressman Shri sites and social media, so we need to
First Congregational Church of Thanedar, US Senator Debbie do a better job at creating a presence
Wayne was too. We found each other Stabenow, and Rev. Dr. Ashley there,” said Rev. Cooper.
and I’m thankful to be here,” said Cleere, Executive Director of the Na- A new website for the church will
Rev. Cooper. tional Association of Congregational be launched after the start of 2024
First Congregational Church of Christian Churches. and they plan on incorporating more
Wayne’s charter was signed on Au- “First Congregational Church of social media. “We’re trying to get peo-
gust 20th, 1848. The church cele- Wayne used to be a social heavy hub, ple to buy into a simple understand-
brated their 175 year milestone on a well established congregation. Now ing of what we exist for: to love God
Saturday, October 28th, 2023. we’re trying to rediscover our pur- and love people,” said Rev. Cooper.
The celebration began in the after- pose and how we can impact Wayne “We learn together, grow together,
noon with a family festival, trunk-or- and the community,” said Rev. and figure it out together.”
treat, costume contest, and a Cooper. First Congregational Church of
historical scavenger hunt. In the “I’ve been told many Cooper mentioned how the Wayne is located at 2 Towne Square
evening, there was dinner where for- church was involved with many com- St, Wayne. Their worship service is
mer members attended. teachers and leaders munity events in the past. every Sunday at 10:30 AM. They
“I’ve been told many teachers and of the community used “Wayne has needs and there’s a have a bible study on Thursday.
leaders of the community used to at- population that needs to be served For more information about First
tend the church back in the day,” to attend the church and that’s why we’re here,” said Rev. Congregational Church of Wayne,
said Rev. Cooper. Cooper. “We need to change our you can find them on Facebook by
Tyler Moll from the Wayne Histor- back in the day.” minds about what church is. It does- searching “First Congregational
ical Museum did a presentation dur- n’t matter who you are or what your Church of Wayne”, call (734)729-
ing the 175th celebration, and the Rev. Bob Cooper beliefs are, we’re gonna accept you ei- 7550 or visit their website at fc-
evening ended with the singing of old ther way.” cwayne.com (will be launched soon).
fashioned hymns. Cooper. A main focus for Cooper is Congratulations to First Congre-
“It was nice to do. Everyone that First Congregational Church re- adding more tech for the church. gational Church of Wayne on 175
attended had a great time,” said Rev. ceived congratulations for 175 years Cooper has a background in live years!
The Wayne Dispatch · January 2024 · 13