201 South Ann Arbor Street

Postcard of the Saline Baptist Church - ca. 1912
Photo courtesy of Saline Area Historical Society

Saline General Hospital - ca. 1965
Photo courtesy of Saline Area Historical Society

Photo by Cynthia Christensen
October 2012

Architectural Description: This exterior of this building has been significantly altered since it was first constructed as a church in 1904.  Currently, it can be defined as a two-story, eclectic style structure, clad in brick veneer.  The structure has a hipped roof and lower cross gables (the roof configuration has not changed since 1904). There is a full-width glass enclosed porch with brick supports and a brick balustrade on the front (west) façade.

History: Looking at this building today, one would never know how much Saline history occurred at this location. The following account is based on information written by Bessie Collins for the Saline Observer in 1956 as well as an extensive report written by Ann McFalda in 1993 (these references can be found in the vertical files of the Local History Room at the Saline District Library). The land upon which this building is situated was part of the original land grant purchased from the U.S. Government by Orange Risdon in 1824. Risdon donated this parcel of his property for the Baptist church, which was built in 1836 on the corner of what is now South Ann Arbor and East Henry Streets. The original church was a white frame structure with a tall steeple, similar to the ones seen in the Eastern U.S., the style that was familiar to the Saline pioneers. The parsonage was built two years later, on adjacent property to the south of the church. By 1903, the congregation had grown significantly. Money was raised and a new church building was planned, with local builder Elwood Rogers awarded the contract. William H. Barr (550 South Ann Arbor) was appointed to secure the plans and prices. The task of fund-raising was given to John Henry Barr (275 South Ann Arbor), Preston and Minnie Rouse (207 North Ann Arbor), and Mrs. Peter Weinett (308 North Ann Arbor).
The new church was completed in 1904 and was built of molded cement blocks with brick lintels and quoins. The entrance to the church was on an angle on the northwest corner of the building, below a rosette stained glass window and a bell tower. In 1919, members decided to unite with the Presbyterian Church and the building was remolded into a home for Alphonse Schmidt in 1920. This effort involved major changes, such as the removal of the bell tower, the replacement of modern windows in place of the stained glass windows and building a second floor in the high ceilinged church auditorium. After a few years as a residence, the building was used as a furniture store, followed by a funeral parlor. In 1933, John Schleh purchased the building. It was again remodeled and leased to Ralph and Hilda McHenry who ran the Saline General Hospital. In 1949, when the hospital was under the administration of Charles and Geraldine Uphaus, the building was expanded. In 1951, Mr. and Mrs. Basil Badour leased the building from Schleh to house the Saline Convalescent Hospital. The Saline Public Library was located here from 1969-1993, when the City of Saline owned the building. It was during this time that the brick veneer and enclosed porch were added. In 1994, Roy McEnhill of MB Ventures purchased the building from the city. The structure is currently used for Mr. McEnhill's engineering firm, entitled "Process Results."

Sources:
Collins, Bessie. "History of Founding of Saline Baptist Church".  Saline Observer. May 3, 1956.

"Historic District Study Committee Report for the South Ann Arbor Street Local Historic District." 2007.

Kosky & Glynn Associates. "Intensive Survey, South Ann Arbor Street, Saline, Michigan." 1994.

McFalda, Ann. “The First Baptist Church and the Saline Public Library Building Built 1904, 201 South Ann Arbor Street." Saline, Michigan. 1994.

Neese, Lynda. "A Profile of Saline’s Historic Properties: 201 South Ann Arbor Street (Adrian), 203 South Ann Arbor Street (Adrian). " Graduate Student Report, Eastern Michigan University, 2003

Saline Area Historical Society photo available through the Saline District Library http://saline.lib.mi.us/

Saline District Library, Saline, Michigan. Local History Room, Vertical Files, accessed November 7, 2012.

Suggested Reading: McAlester, Virginia, and Lee McAlester. A Field Guide to American Houses. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1984.

Prepared by Lori Swick
April 17, 2013