The focus of this online guide is on issues of faith, spirituality, and religion in Clarkston, Michigan, largely consisting of websites representing local ministries and places of worship.
A recent survey suggested that the people of Clarkston were considerably more religious than those in the larger state, and slightly more religious than the United States average, with nearly fifty-one percent of residents citing affiliation with a religion. By far, the greater number of these were Catholics, with 25.2% of respondents identifying with Catholicism. Although there were nearly as many Protestants as Catholics, the Protestants were divided into several denominations and sects.
The Catholics were followed distantly by the Methodists, at just over three percent, and three percent of the population who identified with Judaism. Others included the Lutherans, Baptists, Presbyterians, and Pentecostals. With fewer than one percent, but more than one-tenth of a percent were those identifying with Islam, the Episcopalians, various Eastern religions, and the Mormons, with more than nine percent citing other smaller Protestant denominations or non-denominational churches.
Methodist missionaries were the first to bring religion to the village of Clarkston. Traveling Methodist ministers by the name of Davidson and Cansar arranged for Methodist services to be held in the village in the early 1830s, meeting in private homes, barns, and school buildings. These early services were attended by Christians of all denominations, as there were no others.
In the 1840s, the Rev, Ruggles led a Christian revival in the township, which made Christians of many settlers. Soon, however, there were differences of opinion as to various Christian beliefs and practices, and a group split away from the Methodists to form the First Presbyterian Church of Clarkston, building a sanctuary in 1854.
The Methodist Episcopal Church was built in 1841, following on the work begun by the Methodists a decade earlier. As they were unable to afford windows for the church, it was used only when the weather permitted. Otherwise, they met in the schoolhouse they had used previously until they were able to complete the building project.
Another group that had been meeting in the schoolhouse constructed the First Baptist Church in 1847. This building is now the Clarkston Union Bar and Kitchen.
Today, several places of worship and ministries serve the people of Clarkston. Regardless of the specific religion, denomination, or sect, websites representing these are appropriate for this category, along with any other online resources focused on subjects of faith, religion, and spirituality in Clarkston.
Recommended Resources
Formed in 2002, the Clarkston, Michigan congregation soon outgrew its original church building and built its current church on twelve acres of property along Rattalee Lake Road only about seven months later. In 2019, the church added a second campus in Goodrich, Michigan. Directions to both of its campuses are given, including maps showing their location. Its age-specific ministries are highlighted, along with service schedules, an event calendar, and a sermon archive.
https://bridgewoodchurch.com/
Affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ECLA), the church has congregations in Clarkston and White Lake, Michigan. Its addresses are posted to the site, and an introduction to its pastors and staff are included, along with weekly schedules of worship services, prayer services, communion, Bible studies, and community outreach activities. Its youth and family ministries, growth groups, membership policies, and sermon archives are included.
https://www.calvary-lutheran.org/
The congregation meets at its facilities on Clarkston Road in Clarkston, Michigan. Directions and a schedule of weekly services, Bible studies, youth activities, and community outreach programs are presented, including church office schedules, a telephone number, and a contact form. An introduction to the church’s pastors and staff is included, and a sermon archive is available, sortable by category, speaker, series, or through a keyword search.
https://www.clarkstoncchurch.com/
Clarkston United Methodist Church
Chartered as the Clarkston Methodist Episcopal Church in 1841, the congregation’s church was located on East Church and Buffalo streets until the late 1950s, when they moved to a new building at its current location on Waldon Road. Its history, beliefs, and the UMC denomination are highlighted, and its worship times, a video archive of worship services, and mission activities are posted to the site, along with a calendar of upcoming programs and events.
https://www.clarkstonumc.org/
Established in 1831, the First Congregational is an autonomous church and a voluntary member of the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches. An overview of the Clarkston, Michigan church and the NACCC are presented, along with a schedule of Sunday worship services, various ministries of the church, and community outreach activities, as well as a calendar of upcoming programs and events. The office telephone number, email address, and a prayer request form are included.
http://www.fcclarkston.com/
Planted by the Archdiocese of Detroit in 1958, the first Mass was celebrated in 1961, and St. Daniel’s was a mission of Our Lady of the Lakes for eight years. The history of the parish is told, including an introduction to the saint for whom the parish was named. Church bulletins, a calendar of events, mass times, membership and registration information, service opportunities, sacraments, an introduction to the staff, office hours, and contact data.
https://www.stdanielclarkston.org/
