2127 East Canfield Street
Wood Art Specialty Co., New Mount Pleasant Baptist Church of Detroit
I’ve always admired this structure; however, unfortunately, I haven’t been able to find much information on it. I thought the photos were worth sharing, so here’s what I’ve found so far:
By 1943, there was a woodworking studio at 2127 East Canfield Street. It was called Wood Art Specialty Co., and a Detroit Free Press article from 1939 said it started during the “depression years.” The last listing I found for the company was in 1944.
Likely, there was an apartment on the second floor. The building is long enough that there may have been two flats.
Later, the main floor was used as a church. New Mount Pleasant Baptist Church of Detroit were utilizing the space by 1964. Although their business operations folded in 2000, their name is still painted on the facade, albeit faded and rugged.
I remember when this structure still had windows on the second floor and was partially taken care of. I would guess that around 2015, it started falling into disrepair. I am curious whether someone still lived on the second floor until then, if the former congregation could no longer take care of it, or if scrappers and vandals finally found their way inside.
Small structures like this are essential to the landscape of a community. Although many of the neighborhood’s former buildings are gone, it still has a high population thanks to the St. Aubin Square Apartments across the street. The complex was constructed in the 1970s and has a garden in the center.
Considering the population that already lives close to the intersection of St. Aubin and Canfield and the neighborhood’s proximity to Eastern Market, redevelopment of 2127 E. Canfield should be a no-brainer in the near future.
