In 1845, a new combination church and school building was built near the log cabin school.  This was an impressive building with large double doors, and a winding stairway which led to the large choir loft and organ.  If there was a funeral service, school would be shut down for the day so the church facilities could be used.

During those early days, denomination was of no consequence.  Whoever would come and preach was welcome.  The wife of one of the shipyard owners, Mrs. Craig, from Syracuse, New York, donated the organ and with the aid of another young lady, Mrs. Linn, another shipbuilder's wife, was able to organize a Sunday school.

The early church was considered a mission and whatever minister was serving Flat Rock, Rockwood and Newport would serve Gibralter.  The Gibralter Church had services on Thursday night.  The Minister would ride over on Thursday morning, make congregational and sick calls, have dinner with a member of the congregation and depart after the evening service.

Sunday school for the children was held on Sunday mornings and led by the Sunday School Superintendent.  During the summer, student ministers came to teach the youth of the church.  In this early church, there was always an adult Bible class.

People would come to Church from the surrounding area by horse and carriage and tie their horses directly across from the present Municipal Building on Munro Street.

The Gibraltar Congregational Church did not become an organized church until 1909, when Reverend Hutchinson drew up a Covenant that was signed by 19 members.

At this time, a Ladies Aide was organized and this group provided monies for the Church.  At the second annual meeting, January 12, 1911, it was noted that the Ladies Aide would pay such amounts as they could each month toward the minister's salary.  This salary was $6.00 a month.  The women's group had suppers, box socials, etc. to raise the necessary funds.

During the time that Reverend Hutchinson served the Gibraltar Church, 1900-1931, very few services were missed by him.  Often, the Minister would come to our town on horseback--or by driving Middle Gibraltar Road with water across it, and sometimes over the floorboards of his buggy.

After Reverend Hutchinson retired, Reverend William Skentlebury came to the Flat Rock Church, and one day each week was still given to the Gibraltar Church, 1931-1936.

Gibraltar had begun to grow by this time, and the newer citizens thought a Community Church would be more of an asset to the town.  A Baptist Minister, Reverend Nain, was called to the Church, for a salary of $1,500.00 per year.  The Church remained a Community Church until 1941, when it was again reorganized as a Congregational Christian Church, and registered with the Michigan Congregational Conference as a corporation.  There were twenty-two charter members.  In 1957, a merger with the United Church of Christ was effected.

In 1947, the Church bought a small building for $500.00 from St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Trenton.  A real estate company was selling the Edmund and Fred Hall property, and they gave the Church three lots to put the building on.  Approximately ten years later, the Trustees purchased three more lots south of the building; in 1959, nine more lots were purchased, giving the Church a total of fifteen lots--approximately 21/2 acres.  The first Church Parsonage on Pointe Drive was purchased in 1950 and the last lot left to connect the Church properties was purchased, and a new Parsonage built. 

By November 1, 1964, the Church indebtedness was erased and the Church was the proud owner of the entire site, and holders of $45,000.00 in capital assets.

Looking to the future and a better Church building, a Building Committee was activated, and on October 23, 1966, Reverend Harold Aldrin dedicated the present Church building.

This Church has grown from humble beginnings to a strong position in the community, extending care and concern for all the people of Gibraltar.