MCC Detroit: A Chronological History
1971 The emerging Gay Christian Caucus of the Gay Liberation Front of Detroit (GLFD) met in John Kavanaugh’s apartment and decided to affiliate with the fast-growing Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches (UFMCC). They began
meeting for worship at Trinity United Methodist Church in Highland Park.
1972 The congregation offered a Christmas Dinner for gays and lesbians who had no one with whom to share the holidays.
1973 Tone Clemente was installed as our first clergy and served until 1975.
1976 Rev. Nancy L. Wilson and Rev. Heather Anderson were installed as co-pastors. They were the first couple to co-pastor a
congregation in the UFMCC. That same year, Christmas Dinner was open to residents of the Detroit neighborhood around the church. This turned the tradition into a ministry to feed the poor, elderly and less fortunate on the holiest day of the year.
1977 Trinity United Methodist Church, our home since 1971 had to close. Central United Methodist Church in Detroit became the
new MCC Detroit home for worship. The head pastor of Central United, Dr. Richard DeVore supported and advocated for MCC
Detroit with his own church hierarchy. Dr. DeVore also helped MCC Detroit gain admission into the Downtown Clergy
Association.
1979 MCC Detroit saw staff changes as Rev. Wilson was called by Rev. Troy Perry to teach at Samaritan Theological Institute and
Rev. Anderson returned to California. Rev. Bob Gallaway stepped in during a pastoral search which brought Rev. Brenda Hunt-
Cisneros and her partner Rita to lead the congregation.
1982 Rev. Wilson and Rev. Perry visited Detroit to celebrate MCC Detroit’s 10th Anniversary!
1984 The MCC Detroit congregation purchased its own church building in Birmingham. Staff changes in the 80’s included Rev. Hunt
leaving and Rita Cisneros and Bob Hogg to serve as lay leaders until Rev. Jim Hermanot was installed as pastor. It was also
during this time that the congregation added ministries to respond to the AIDS crisis.
1989 Rev. Linda Laster was installed as our pastor in 1989. At the same time that our worship services were overflowing with
congregants, a buyer offered to purchase the building and property to create a parking lot for local businesses. During a short
building search, we rented worship space at Detroit Unity Church. A church, parsonage and additional property in Roseville
were purchased. A busy year! It was also in 1989 Karen Dillaman, Jo Ploeger and Brenda Blizzard revived the Excel of the
Lakes ministry and the church hired music director, Brian Londrow.
1993 The Roseville property proved to be unsustainable and the building was lost to foreclosure. Once again we looked for space to
rent for worship and offices. A relationship with Drayton Avenue Presbyterian Church (DAPC) began, first with rental of the
chapel and fellowship hall. We rented a tiny space for use as an administrative office in downtown Ferndale. As our
relationship with DAPC grew, we were able to rent office space adjacent to the chapel.
1993 Student clergy Mark Bidwell stepped up to take over when Rev. Laster left and worked with the board of directors to lead the
congregation through a time of transition. This decade saw the growth of a variety of ministries.
1997 Mark Bidwell was unanimously voted for by an enthusiastic congregation to lead the church. His studies culminated in his
becoming Rev. Mark Bidwell, licensed and ordained by UFMCC.
2000 In the new millennium, we focused on congregational “in reach” and emphasis was placed on small gatherings to promote
fellowship between Sunday worship services. Solid lay leadership was developing to serve the congregation. Also during this
decade, MCC Detroit was fortunate to add clergy in support of a growing congregation. We welcomed associate clergy
including Rev. Deb Dysert, Rev. Kevin Kinsel and Rev. Bob Bond. This decade also saw great growth in our music ministry.
The choir performs at annual Pride events and performs a very special Good Friday program to a full church!
2010 MCC Detroit conducts a Church Size Summit
2010 Rev. Bidwell went on sabbatical and the congregation was well served as Rev. Deb Dysert and Brian Londrow provided the
stability and continuity the congregation needed.
2011 Rev. Bidwell resigned from the church. Rev. Jim Lynch was installed as Interim Pastor, while Rev. Dysert continued her role as
Associate Pastor.
2012 MCC Detroit mourned the death of Rev. Bidwell.
2013 A Pastoral Search Committee was formed to help find the next pastor.
2014 Rev. Roland Stringfellow is installed as the Senior Pastor.
1971 The emerging Gay Christian Caucus of the Gay Liberation Front of Detroit (GLFD) met in John Kavanaugh’s apartment and decided to affiliate with the fast-growing Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches (UFMCC). They began
meeting for worship at Trinity United Methodist Church in Highland Park.
1972 The congregation offered a Christmas Dinner for gays and lesbians who had no one with whom to share the holidays.
1973 Tone Clemente was installed as our first clergy and served until 1975.
1976 Rev. Nancy L. Wilson and Rev. Heather Anderson were installed as co-pastors. They were the first couple to co-pastor a
congregation in the UFMCC. That same year, Christmas Dinner was open to residents of the Detroit neighborhood around the church. This turned the tradition into a ministry to feed the poor, elderly and less fortunate on the holiest day of the year.
1977 Trinity United Methodist Church, our home since 1971 had to close. Central United Methodist Church in Detroit became the
new MCC Detroit home for worship. The head pastor of Central United, Dr. Richard DeVore supported and advocated for MCC
Detroit with his own church hierarchy. Dr. DeVore also helped MCC Detroit gain admission into the Downtown Clergy
Association.
1979 MCC Detroit saw staff changes as Rev. Wilson was called by Rev. Troy Perry to teach at Samaritan Theological Institute and
Rev. Anderson returned to California. Rev. Bob Gallaway stepped in during a pastoral search which brought Rev. Brenda Hunt-
Cisneros and her partner Rita to lead the congregation.
1982 Rev. Wilson and Rev. Perry visited Detroit to celebrate MCC Detroit’s 10th Anniversary!
1984 The MCC Detroit congregation purchased its own church building in Birmingham. Staff changes in the 80’s included Rev. Hunt
leaving and Rita Cisneros and Bob Hogg to serve as lay leaders until Rev. Jim Hermanot was installed as pastor. It was also
during this time that the congregation added ministries to respond to the AIDS crisis.
1989 Rev. Linda Laster was installed as our pastor in 1989. At the same time that our worship services were overflowing with
congregants, a buyer offered to purchase the building and property to create a parking lot for local businesses. During a short
building search, we rented worship space at Detroit Unity Church. A church, parsonage and additional property in Roseville
were purchased. A busy year! It was also in 1989 Karen Dillaman, Jo Ploeger and Brenda Blizzard revived the Excel of the
Lakes ministry and the church hired music director, Brian Londrow.
1993 The Roseville property proved to be unsustainable and the building was lost to foreclosure. Once again we looked for space to
rent for worship and offices. A relationship with Drayton Avenue Presbyterian Church (DAPC) began, first with rental of the
chapel and fellowship hall. We rented a tiny space for use as an administrative office in downtown Ferndale. As our
relationship with DAPC grew, we were able to rent office space adjacent to the chapel.
1993 Student clergy Mark Bidwell stepped up to take over when Rev. Laster left and worked with the board of directors to lead the
congregation through a time of transition. This decade saw the growth of a variety of ministries.
1997 Mark Bidwell was unanimously voted for by an enthusiastic congregation to lead the church. His studies culminated in his
becoming Rev. Mark Bidwell, licensed and ordained by UFMCC.
2000 In the new millennium, we focused on congregational “in reach” and emphasis was placed on small gatherings to promote
fellowship between Sunday worship services. Solid lay leadership was developing to serve the congregation. Also during this
decade, MCC Detroit was fortunate to add clergy in support of a growing congregation. We welcomed associate clergy
including Rev. Deb Dysert, Rev. Kevin Kinsel and Rev. Bob Bond. This decade also saw great growth in our music ministry.
The choir performs at annual Pride events and performs a very special Good Friday program to a full church!
2010 MCC Detroit conducts a Church Size Summit
2010 Rev. Bidwell went on sabbatical and the congregation was well served as Rev. Deb Dysert and Brian Londrow provided the
stability and continuity the congregation needed.
2011 Rev. Bidwell resigned from the church. Rev. Jim Lynch was installed as Interim Pastor, while Rev. Dysert continued her role as
Associate Pastor.
2012 MCC Detroit mourned the death of Rev. Bidwell.
2013 A Pastoral Search Committee was formed to help find the next pastor.
2014 Rev. Roland Stringfellow is installed as the Senior Pastor.