Fountain Street Church
Grand Rapids MI
49503-3191
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Who we are
Fountain Street Church was founded in 1869 as Fountain Street Baptist Church. Gradually embracing more liberal ideals between 1896 and 1962, the church went from being Fountain Street Baptist Church to being Fountain Street Church - a non-creedal, non-denominational, liberal church.
A succession of clergy from 1896 to 1944 - John Herman Randall, Alfred Wesley Wishart, Milton McGorrill, and Duncan Littlefair, all Baptist in name and training - moved the church toward the conclusion that no profession of denominational faith was needed to be a person of faith. One could worship here as a Christian, an agnostic, or an atheist, because the task of organized religion is not to secure unity of belief, but to demand integrity of mind and spirit.
In 1962, under Dr. Littlefair's tenure, the church dropped the name Baptist, and for a time considered affiliating with the Unitarian Universalists because of similar liberal views. They opted, instead, to maintain their independence. Dr. Littlefair had Unitarian Universalist ties, as did his successors, though this was not expected or required. David Rankin served from 1982–1998. Brent Smith served from 1999–2001. W. Frederick Wooden has been the Senior Minister since 2005. Historically, other clergy have come from the United Church of Christ, Church of the Brethren, The Reformed Church in America, and United Methodist Church.
All these connections have nourished our current spiritual identity:
With the Baptists, we share a commitment to absolute liberty of spiritual conscience and the rigorous separation of church and state. With the Unitarian Universalists, we share a commitment to examining all claims of religious truth and testing each against the evidence of science and other disciplines of knowledge. With the Congregationalists, we share a commitment to spiritual democracy, meaning that the local church should govern itself, choose its clergy, and raise its own funds. With the Dutch Reformed Church, we believe that church must be ever reforming. With the Church of the Brethren, we believe ministry is for all members, not just the clergy.
Our current Italian Romanesque church building was built in 1924, following a fire that destroyed the previous structure in 1917. At the time, the rebuilt church was designed to be a public auditorium, as well as a church, and it has served in this capacity many times over the years. It is currently the home of the Grand Rapids Community College Diversity Lecture Series speakers, a venue for ArtPrize and LaughFest, and the home of the Duncan Littlefair Great Speakers Series.
A succession of clergy from 1896 to 1944 - John Herman Randall, Alfred Wesley Wishart, Milton McGorrill, and Duncan Littlefair, all Baptist in name and training - moved the church toward the conclusion that no profession of denominational faith was needed to be a person of faith. One could worship here as a Christian, an agnostic, or an atheist, because the task of organized religion is not to secure unity of belief, but to demand integrity of mind and spirit.
In 1962, under Dr. Littlefair's tenure, the church dropped the name Baptist, and for a time considered affiliating with the Unitarian Universalists because of similar liberal views. They opted, instead, to maintain their independence. Dr. Littlefair had Unitarian Universalist ties, as did his successors, though this was not expected or required. David Rankin served from 1982–1998. Brent Smith served from 1999–2001. W. Frederick Wooden has been the Senior Minister since 2005. Historically, other clergy have come from the United Church of Christ, Church of the Brethren, The Reformed Church in America, and United Methodist Church.
With the Baptists, we share a commitment to absolute liberty of spiritual conscience and the rigorous separation of church and state. With the Unitarian Universalists, we share a commitment to examining all claims of religious truth and testing each against the evidence of science and other disciplines of knowledge. With the Congregationalists, we share a commitment to spiritual democracy, meaning that the local church should govern itself, choose its clergy, and raise its own funds. With the Dutch Reformed Church, we believe that church must be ever reforming. With the Church of the Brethren, we believe ministry is for all members, not just the clergy.
Our current Italian Romanesque church building was built in 1924, following a fire that destroyed the previous structure in 1917. At the time, the rebuilt church was designed to be a public auditorium, as well as a church, and it has served in this capacity many times over the years. It is currently the home of the Grand Rapids Community College Diversity Lecture Series speakers, a venue for ArtPrize and LaughFest, and the home of the Duncan Littlefair Great Speakers Series.
Location of worship
24 Fountain St NE
Grand Rapids,
MI
49503-3191
United States
Phone: (616) 459-8386 ext.219
Fax: (616) 459-4809
Click here to contact the church
Church Pastor
W. Fred Wooden
Senior Minister
24 Fountain St NE
Grand Rapids,
MI
49503-3191
United States
Phone: (616) 459-8386
Click here to contact W. Fred Wooden
Denomination
Independent
Affiliations
Church Website
Fountain Street Church on Social Media
Leadership
Leader Name:
W. Fred Wooden
Leader Position:
Senior Minister
Formal Title:
Leader Address:
Phone:
Fax:
Leader Email:
Click here to contact W. Fred Wooden
Leader Bio:
W. Fred Wooden on Social Media:
Other Church Leaders:
Administration
Admin Name:
Jack E. Woller
Admin Position:
Executive Director
Admin Address:
Phone:
Fax:
(616) 459-4809
Admin Email:
Click here to contact Jack E. Woller
Mailing Address
Driving Directions to Fountain Street Church
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Fountain Street Church Service Times
Worship Times
Chapel Worship
This Chapel Community is casual, interactive, and participatory. It's kid-friendly too. Starts at 9:30 a.m. and held in the Chapel every Sunday during the regular season.
Traditional Worship
Although not everyone would call it “traditional,” our 11:00 a.m. Worship is held during the regular Church Season in the Sanctuary and includes organ music, hymns, a time for reflection and meditation, readings from various traditions, a sermon, and more.
Summer Worship
During the summer months, we have one Worship. It's in the air-conditioned Chapel at 10:00 a.m., starting on the last Sunday in June and continuing through the first Sunday in September.
It's been more than 7 years since the last service times update. Please make sure to contact the church to confirm service times.
Please contact the church to confirm Service Times or SUBSCRIBE to updates below
Chapel Worship
This Chapel Community is casual, interactive, and participatory. It's kid-friendly too. Starts at 9:30 a.m. and held in the Chapel every Sunday during the regular season.
Traditional Worship
Although not everyone would call it “traditional,” our 11:00 a.m. Worship is held during the regular Church Season in the Sanctuary and includes organ music, hymns, a time for reflection and meditation, readings from various traditions, a sermon, and more.
Summer Worship
During the summer months, we have one Worship. It's in the air-conditioned Chapel at 10:00 a.m., starting on the last Sunday in June and continuing through the first Sunday in September.
It's been more than 7 years since the last service times update. Please make sure to contact the church to confirm service times.
Please contact the church to confirm Service Times or SUBSCRIBE to updates below
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Worship Languages
Dress Code
Sunday School / Children and Youth Activities
Under 12s:
Under 18s:
Children & Youth
Character School - Nursery-Grade 6
Tower Club - Grades 7-8
Fountain Club - Grades 9-12
Character School - Nursery-Grade 6
Tower Club - Grades 7-8
Fountain Club - Grades 9-12
Local outreach & community activities
Other activities & ministries
Special Needs/Accessibility
Prayers and Hymns
Main Bible:
Hymns and Songs:
Other information
Average Adult Congregation:
Average Youth Congregation:
Additional Info:
Fountain Street Church History
Fountain Street Church FAQs
Question: Where is Fountain Street Church located?
Answer: Fountain Street Church is located at 24 Fountain St NE, Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Question: Who is Fountain Street Church's pastor?
Answer: Fountain Street Church's pastor is W. Fred Wooden.
Question: What time is service at Fountain Street Church?
Answer: Worship Times Chapel Worship This Chapel Community is casual, interactive, and participatory. It's kid-friendly too. Starts at 9:30 a.m. and held in the Chapel every Sunday during the regular season. Traditional Worship Although not everyone would call it “traditional,” our 11:00 a.m. Worship is held during the regular Church Season in the Sanctuary and includes organ music, hymns, a time for reflection and meditation, readings from various traditions, a sermon, and more. Summer Worship During the summer months, we have one Worship. It's in the air-conditioned Chapel at 10:00 a.m., starting on the last Sunday in June and continuing through the first Sunday in September.
Question: What is Fountain Street Church's Facebook page?
Answer: https://www.facebook.com/FountainStChurch/
Question: What is Fountain Street Church's live streaming page?
Answer: http://www.youtube.com/user/fountainstreetchurch
Question: What is Fountain Street Church's website?
Answer: http://www.fountainstreet.org
Question: What denominaiton is Fountain Street Church?
Answer: Fountain Street Church belongs to Independent denomination.
Answer: Fountain Street Church is located at 24 Fountain St NE, Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Question: Who is Fountain Street Church's pastor?
Answer: Fountain Street Church's pastor is W. Fred Wooden.
Question: What time is service at Fountain Street Church?
Answer: Worship Times Chapel Worship This Chapel Community is casual, interactive, and participatory. It's kid-friendly too. Starts at 9:30 a.m. and held in the Chapel every Sunday during the regular season. Traditional Worship Although not everyone would call it “traditional,” our 11:00 a.m. Worship is held during the regular Church Season in the Sanctuary and includes organ music, hymns, a time for reflection and meditation, readings from various traditions, a sermon, and more. Summer Worship During the summer months, we have one Worship. It's in the air-conditioned Chapel at 10:00 a.m., starting on the last Sunday in June and continuing through the first Sunday in September.
Question: What is Fountain Street Church's Facebook page?
Answer: https://www.facebook.com/FountainStChurch/
Question: What is Fountain Street Church's live streaming page?
Answer: http://www.youtube.com/user/fountainstreetchurch
Question: What is Fountain Street Church's website?
Answer: http://www.fountainstreet.org
Question: What denominaiton is Fountain Street Church?
Answer: Fountain Street Church belongs to Independent denomination.
"Prayer does not change the purpose of God. But prayer does change the action of God."Chuck Smith
Fountain Street Church listing was last updated on the 28th of February, 2017
