Franklin Community Church Origins
Members of the Franklin community officially organized Michigan's first Methodist Protestant Church on August 2, 1840 under the leadership of Laban Smith, Harry Brownson and Jonas S. Pratt. In addition to these individuals, the fellowship was comprised of Nancy Smith, David and Lydia Parkhurst, Abigal Pratt and Mary Brownson.

On September 26 of the same year, the Franklin Circuit, which eventually included communities as far away as Lapeer, Orchard Lake and Waterford, was established. In time, these outlying communities left the Franklin Circuit as they created their own churches.

On February 18, 1860, the contract to construct a church building in Franklin was made and by June of 1863, services were being held there. Thomas Placket preached the dedication sermon.

Through the years, the church changed and grew with the area but came to be regarded as the "community church" - a designation it has striven to live up to since the very beginning.

In 1948, the already "historical church" building in the "town that time forgot," was scheduled for expansion and by 1950 a two-story brick veneer wing was added to the church providing inside restrooms and an attractive colonial social hall and recreation room. A Future Planning Committee was also appointed to determine what the ensuing years would bring and what the church should do to live up to its name as Franklin Community Church.

Those Who Have Entered The Ministry From Our Church:

The Rev. Robert Koch
The Rev. Stanley Sutton
The Rev. Ann Cowick Hampson
The Rev. Harold Morse
The Rev. Brent Webster
The Rev. Heidi Schnaufer Reinker

This painting reconstructs the original Church erected in 1863, after being organized as a Methodist Protestant Church in 1840.

In 1903, a long room was added to the Church to create a new entrance and more Church School space, and the entire structure was veneered with cement block. In 1949-50, two additional rooms were added to the West End. This building was Franklin's only Church until our move to the present site on July 15th, 1956.

In 1948, the already "historical church" building in the "town that time forgot," was scheduled for expansion and by 1950 a two-story brick veneer wing was added to the church providing inside restrooms and an attractive colonial social hall and recreation room. A Future Planning Committee was also appointed to determine what the ensuing years would bring and what the church should do to live up to its name as Franklin Community Church.