2255 East Forest Avenue
Kolodziejski Home, Grocery Store, Danube Wave Shop, Maclin Temple Church of God in Christ
This address includes 2255 and 2257 East Forest Avenue.
According to the Sanborn Fire Insurance Map, a dwelling was on this parcel by 1897. However, it was a small home situated further back on the plot than the current structure. By this point, this part of Detroit was expanding, and many houses had been built. Some of these homes remain today; however, many were added onto, demolished and rebuilt bigger, or demolished in the following decades.
I’m not certain when the structure pictured here was completed, but it was before 1921 when the Sanborn Fire Insurance Map shows the two-story structure pictured here. Regardless of when it was built, the Kolodziejski called whatever building was on this parcel home by 1909. That year, a girl was born to Thomas Kolodziejski here. In 1910, another girl was born, and in 1911, the family welcomed a boy into the world.
In 1931, a grocery store was located here. That year, Helen Syzmak was robbed there, and the thief made away with $14, or roughly $270 in 2024. By 1937, a beauty shop called the structure home. That year and in 1939, the Danube Wave Shop was hiring experienced beauty operators.
There was a flat upstairs; I believe the Kolodziejski family still lived there into the 1940s. It was listed as Frank T. Kolodziejski’s address when he was drafted into the military in February 1943 and when he died on September 27, 1943. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Kolodziejski.
After Kolodziejski's death, I didn’t find much on this structure for a few decades. The 1950 Sanborn Fire Insurance Map lists it as a store with a flat above it, the same as it had been for years.
Maclin Temple Church of God in Christ was incorporated in January 1969 by James M. Maclin, John H. McCullum, and Ruth Evans. By 1972, the church had moved to 2255 East Forest, pictured here.
In 1989, Carl Lett was one of the deacons at the church, in addition to his work as a housing counselor, in an obituary for his son, Jamison ‘Jamie’ Lee Lett. Jamie was a baseball player at Mumford High School, batting .500 on the year so far, and a good student. Jamie and his friend and teammate Antonio Mitchell were shot outside a candy store near Mumford. Antonia survived, but Jamie died.
Jamie’s funeral was at the church, pictured here, which was filled with classmates, teammates, and community members. Later that year, Carl Lett, Jamie’s father, spoke to City Council about his son’s death, asking the council, “What are we going to do?”
Later in the year, Jamie’s friend and teammate, Antonio Mitchell, who was also shot, was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates. When shot, he was batting .622 on the year. When interviewed, he said, “I feel that wherever we go, Jamie is there with us in spirit.” He was drafted in the 35th round of the 1985 MLB Draft, still with a slug in his arm from the gun that killed his friend.
In 1990, Rudy Tucker, 19, was convicted of the crime of murdering Jamie and injuring Antonio. Diabate Weave, 15, also saw charges in juvenile court for his role in the incident. Antonio never made the majors, but he played baseball until at least 2002, with some time spent playing internationally in Japan. He was a switch hitter.
Back on East Forest, Maclin Temple Church of God in Christ continued to serve the community. At some point, I believe, before Jamie’s funeral, a structure was added onto the side of the building. It’s nothing special architecturally; however, it shows that the church was an anchor in the community.
Maclin Temple Church of God in Christ was dissolved by 2008, but a New Maclin Temple replaced it. There was also a New Maclin Temple Ministries and Community Development Corporation at the same location. Reverend James Maclin, Sr. died on January 4, 2009. This church is still active and the structure is well maintained.
I’m curious about what’s underneath the vinyl siding currently encasing the building. Most people only drive by; however, if you stop and look, you’ll notice ornate tile in the entrance on the right side. I’m curious if the store once had large windows and more tile, as you can tell that it goes further left than is currently visible.
Regardless of that, I’m happy that this one is still standing!
