Encyclopedia Of Detroit

On February 8, 1911, concerned members of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church held a meeting to begin plans for a mission congregation on the growing east side of Detroit. In the autumn of that year, a parsonage was built on the corner of Iroquois Avenue and Waterloo, now Vernor, Street. On November 13, 1913, the church building was completed, dedicated, and “Iroquois Avenue” was added to the name.

The dominant characteristic of the architecture is Gothic, but it is a typically eclectic building of the early twentieth century with influences from the Arts and Crafts Movement. The architect was Louis Keil and the builder was Henry Malow, both members of the congregation. The brick church exterior is designed in a modified cruciform plan.

The interior of the church contains many sets of stained glass windows depicting Biblical stories and Christian themes. Some of the windows are in the Renaissance style and others in the Baroque style. It is thought that the windows were done by Edward Lee, a Detroit artist who specialized in stained glass for lake steamers, and who was a friend of the architect and builder.

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