Fountain Street Church Grand Rapids MI
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Who we are
Fountain Street Church was founded in 1869 as Fountain Street Baptist Church. Gradually embracing more liberal ideals between 1896 and 1962, the church went from being Fountain Street Baptist Church to being Fountain Street Church - a non-creedal, non-denominational, liberal church.
A succession of clergy from 1896 to 1944 - John Herman Randall, Alfred Wesley Wishart, Milton McGorrill, and Duncan Littlefair, all Baptist in name and training - moved the church toward the conclusion that no profession of denominational faith was needed to be a person of faith. One could worship here as a Christian, an agnostic, or an atheist, because the task of organized religion is not to secure unity of belief, but to demand integrity of mind and spirit.
In 1962, under Dr. Littlefair's tenure, the church dropped the name Baptist, and for a time considered affiliating with the Unitarian Universalists because of similar liberal views. They opted, instead, to maintain their independence. Dr. Littlefair had Unitarian Universalist ties, as did his successors, though this was not expected or required. David Rankin served from 1982–1998. Brent Smith served from 1999–2001. W. Frederick Wooden has been the Senior Minister since 2005. Historically, other clergy have come from the United Church of Christ, Church of the Brethren, The Reformed Church in America, and United Methodist Church.
All these connections have nourished our current spiritual identity:
With the Baptists, we share a commitment to absolute liberty of spiritual conscience and the rigorous separation of church and state. With the Unitarian Universalists, we share a commitment to examining all claims of religious truth and testing each against the evidence of science and other disciplines of knowledge. With the Congregationalists, we share a commitment to spiritual democracy, meaning that the local church should govern itself, choose its clergy, and raise its own funds. With the Dutch Reformed Church, we believe that church must be ever reforming. With the Church of the Brethren, we believe ministry is for all members, not just the clergy.
Our current Italian Romanesque church building was built in 1924, following a fire that destroyed the previous structure in 1917. At the time, the rebuilt church was designed to be a public auditorium, as well as a church, and it has served in this capacity many times over the years. It is currently the home of the Grand Rapids Community College Diversity Lecture Series speakers, a venue for ArtPrize and LaughFest, and the home of the Duncan Littlefair Great Speakers Series.
A succession of clergy from 1896 to 1944 - John Herman Randall, Alfred Wesley Wishart, Milton McGorrill, and Duncan Littlefair, all Baptist in name and training - moved the church toward the conclusion that no profession of denominational faith was needed to be a person of faith. One could worship here as a Christian, an agnostic, or an atheist, because the task of organized religion is not to secure unity of belief, but to demand integrity of mind and spirit.
In 1962, under Dr. Littlefair's tenure, the church dropped the name Baptist, and for a time considered affiliating with the Unitarian Universalists because of similar liberal views. They opted, instead, to maintain their independence. Dr. Littlefair had Unitarian Universalist ties, as did his successors, though this was not expected or required. David Rankin served from 1982–1998. Brent Smith served from 1999–2001. W. Frederick Wooden has been the Senior Minister since 2005. Historically, other clergy have come from the United Church of Christ, Church of the Brethren, The Reformed Church in America, and United Methodist Church.
With the Baptists, we share a commitment to absolute liberty of spiritual conscience and the rigorous separation of church and state. With the Unitarian Universalists, we share a commitment to examining all claims of religious truth and testing each against the evidence of science and other disciplines of knowledge. With the Congregationalists, we share a commitment to spiritual democracy, meaning that the local church should govern itself, choose its clergy, and raise its own funds. With the Dutch Reformed Church, we believe that church must be ever reforming. With the Church of the Brethren, we believe ministry is for all members, not just the clergy.
Our current Italian Romanesque church building was built in 1924, following a fire that destroyed the previous structure in 1917. At the time, the rebuilt church was designed to be a public auditorium, as well as a church, and it has served in this capacity many times over the years. It is currently the home of the Grand Rapids Community College Diversity Lecture Series speakers, a venue for ArtPrize and LaughFest, and the home of the Duncan Littlefair Great Speakers Series.
Street Address
24 Fountain St NE
Grand Rapids,
MI
49503-3191
United States
Phone: (616) 459-8386 ext.219
Fax: (616) 459-4809
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Church Pastor
W. Fred Wooden
Senior Minister
24 Fountain St NE
Grand Rapids,
MI
49503-3191
United States
Phone: (616) 459-8386
Download Senior Minister W. Fred Wooden vCard
Click here to contact W. Fred Wooden
Denomination
Independent
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Church Website
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Leadership
Leader Name:
W. Fred Wooden
Leader Position:
Senior Minister
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Fax:
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Administration
Admin Name:
Jack E. Woller
Admin Position:
Executive Director
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Phone:
Fax:
(616) 459-4809
Admin Email:
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Fountain Street Church Service Times
Worship Times
Chapel Worship
This Chapel Community is casual, interactive, and participatory. It's kid-friendly too. Starts at 9:30 a.m. and held in the Chapel every Sunday during the regular season.
Traditional Worship
Although not everyone would call it “traditional,” our 11:00 a.m. Worship is held during the regular Church Season in the Sanctuary and includes organ music, hymns, a time for reflection and meditation, readings from various traditions, a sermon, and more.
Summer Worship
During the summer months, we have one Worship. It's in the air-conditioned Chapel at 10:00 a.m., starting on the last Sunday in June and continuing through the first Sunday in September.
It's been more than 7 years since the last service times update. Please make sure to contact the church to confirm service times.
Please contact the church to confirm Service Times or SUBSCRIBE to updates below
Chapel Worship
This Chapel Community is casual, interactive, and participatory. It's kid-friendly too. Starts at 9:30 a.m. and held in the Chapel every Sunday during the regular season.
Traditional Worship
Although not everyone would call it “traditional,” our 11:00 a.m. Worship is held during the regular Church Season in the Sanctuary and includes organ music, hymns, a time for reflection and meditation, readings from various traditions, a sermon, and more.
Summer Worship
During the summer months, we have one Worship. It's in the air-conditioned Chapel at 10:00 a.m., starting on the last Sunday in June and continuing through the first Sunday in September.
It's been more than 7 years since the last service times update. Please make sure to contact the church to confirm service times.
Please contact the church to confirm Service Times or SUBSCRIBE to updates below
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Worship Languages
Dress Code
Sunday School / Children and Youth Activities
Under 12s:
Under 18s:
Children & Youth
Character School - Nursery-Grade 6
Tower Club - Grades 7-8
Fountain Club - Grades 9-12
Character School - Nursery-Grade 6
Tower Club - Grades 7-8
Fountain Club - Grades 9-12
Local outreach & community activities
Other activities & ministries
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Prayers and Hymns
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Average Adult Congregation:
Average Youth Congregation:
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Fountain Street Church Grand Rapids Photos
Fountain Street Church - Grand Rapids, Michigan
FSC's 2014 Mardi Gras Celebration
Christmas Eve 2014
2015 LaughFest at FSC
Hallowe'en 2014
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Fountain Street Church History
Fountain Street Church Historical Photos
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"Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tire?"Corrie Ten Boom
Fountain Street Church listing was last updated on the 28th of February, 2017
