GENEVA UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
(Canton New Church Development)
(@ 1974 )

The Canton New Church Development was begun in September, 1972, when the Presbytery of Detroit called the
Rev. Jeffrey S. Goldsmith to become the Organizing Pastor. The new church is located three miles south of the
City of Plymouth on the western edge of Wayne County in Canton Township. Canton is one of the fastest growing
residential areas in the State, and early surveys show that Presbyterians make up 9% of the new population.

Worship was begun in Pioneer Middle School in December, 1972, with nine families. Since that time the congregation
has grown to 100 adult members and with the approval of the Presbytery will be organized as Geneva United Presbyterian
Church on Palm Sunday, April 7, 1974. A Steering Committee of nine members, Dale Baer, Virginia Benoit, Dick Braun,
Dick Habermas, Alan Hering, Sue Knapp, Bill McNamara, Dave Sayles, and Gil Sklenar, has guided Geneva as it has grown
and moved toward the day of organization. They have developed the basic guidelines for the congregation including the
by-laws and mission design.

In June, 1973, the congregation was able to purchase a future building site of 71/2 acres located in a strategic section
of the newly developing community (on the west side of Sheldon Road, 1/4 mile north of Ford Road). A Building Study Task
Force is now at work doing program evaluation and will recommend this spring on the advisability of building in the near
future.The earliest possible building date would be in late 1975.

Geneva is grateful for the support received from the Presbytery and from local churches in the Presbytery.
In future years we hope to be able to give as much as we have received.

Observer & Eccentric Article, Thursday June 26, 1975 Click Here