Our History

The history of Salem National Evangelical Church dates back to the year 1919. It was then that several families of the City of Detroit of Finnish descent began to worship their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in homes, or in rented halls or churches. At first services were held only occasionally. They were conducted by National Church pastors who happened to be passing through the city or who made special trips here from distant places.

On October 16, 1921, six families, under the direction of A. Hassel, a preacher from Toronto, Ontario organized the congregation. The home of Mr. and Mrs Simon Maki was the place of organization. A. Hassel became the first pastor. The new congregation became:  Detroit Salem Evangelical Lutheran National Church.

Then in August 1929, The Salem Congregation called a resident pastor, Rev. Erik Penttinen.  The congregation experienced a period of rapid growth but the stock market crash of October 10, 1929, and the ensuing depression of the 1930’s affected the growing congregation deeply.

In the years that followed, 1933 through 1940, as Detroit, together with the rest of the country, gradually worked itself up from the effects of the “Great Depression”, the congregation was again served by visiting pastors.

On October 8, 1943, the congregation wired Rev. F. J. Pies, Cleveland, Ohio asking him to serve Detroit on a part time basis.  At this time the membership was 61 souls.  Pastor F. J. Pies did serve as part time pastor from October 1943 through September 1944, services being held at the rented Kaleva Hall.

In the fall of 1944 the congregation moved to 2911 Kendall where school was held in the church. The rapid growth of the school required construction of a school building on the church lot. Since money was not available for hiring a contractor, the men of the congregation decided to do the work themselves. They successfully constructed the building which housed the school for about nine years.

In 1951 the Kendall Avenue property was sold and a new church and parsonage as purchased on Schoolcraft between Marlowe and Hubbell in Detroit. When the congregation sold the Kendall property, the school was also sold. However, an arrangement was made to allow Salem to use the school for four years after the sale of the property.

In 1952 the congregation purchased 20 acres at Whalen Lake to be used for religious purposes and Christian fellowship.

In 1957 a new two room school was built adjoining the church at its Marlowe location.

In 1976 Salem relocated to its present church property at the corner of Hubbard and Ann Arbor Trail in Westland. The initial service was held on September 25, 1977. The school was housed temporarily in the parish hall and plans were formulated for constructing a new school on the property.

On November 14, 1978 the Reverend Frank Pies Sr. was called to his eternal home. The Reverend Frank Pies Jr., in the manner of his father, took over teaching the School until the congregation most reluctantly voted to close the school after 35 years of operation.

On July 8, 1979, in answer to countless prayers the Lord once again bountifully blessed the congregation.  Rev. Paavo J. Frusti was installed as the new resident pastor.  After serving Salem for 10 years he retired on October 31, 1989. Without a full-time pastor the law and gospel was preached to us by several vacancy clergy.

In the fall of 1990 the parish was blessed when the Lord sent his servant Rev. Douglas Thompson who was installed on November 4, 1990.  He served us faithfully until 1999.

Rev. David Zeuschner served us as full time pastor from 2001-2006 and Rev. Timothy J. Brand from 2011-2015. Since 2015, we were blessed to be served by several vacancy clergy as we pursued our options of filling our pulpit.

After much prayer and guidance, it is with great joy that Salem welcomes Rev. Steve Newton, who will serve as our dual-parish pastor beginning June 3, 2018.  As a dual-parish pastor Rev. Newton will serve both Salem and Grace Lutheran Church of Canton.  Each church will continue with its own individual congregation and services while sharing the benefit of Pastor Newton’s care and spiritual guidance. God has led us on this journey, and we put our trust in Him as we begin this new chapter in Salem’s history.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding” Proverbs 3:5

Where did the name Salem come from?

The name Salem refers to Jerusalem. “City of Peace”

• Psalm 76:2 - In Salem also is his tabernacle, and his dwelling place in Zion.
• Genesis 14:18 - And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.
• Hebrews 7:1-2 - For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace.

SALEM... “And in this place I will give peace, declares the Lord of hosts.’"Haggai 2:9​