By: The Rev. Dr. William Danaher, Rector
When we celebrate longstanding institutions, they often seem as if they’ve always existed—fixed, eternal, and inevitable. But every institution has a founding moment, and these moments don’t come from certainty or routine. Instead, they arise in times of volatility, uncertainty, chaos, and ambiguity. Christ Church Cranbrook is no exception.
In the 1920s, Detroit and the surrounding areas faced significant challenges. Industrialization brought not only prosperity but also inequality and dehumanization through routine factory work. Immigration was reshaping communities, and the trauma of World War I lingered. It was in this context that George and Ellen Booth, along with Samuel Marquis, the church’s first rector, believed a church could address the issues of their time. In the midst of chaos, they founded Christ Church Cranbrook as a beacon of hope.
But here’s an important lesson about founding moments: they aren’t confined to the past. Every generation faces its own unique challenges, and today’s world is no different. We find ourselves in a similarly uncertain era—marked by economic upheaval, social division, and global crises. Yet, as we reflect on the founding of this church, we are reminded that the same faith, the same confidence in God that guided our founders, can guide us today.
On Founders’ Sunday, it’s important to ask not just what we do, but why we do it. Yes, we hold services, baptize, serve the community, and offer fellowship—just as countless other churches do. But the true question is, why? Why did our founders create this church? Why do we continue its mission today?
In 1927, George Booth offered his answer in a speech at the founding of Cranbrook School for Boys, just one year before Christ Church Cranbrook was established. He said, “I can only hope that what has been accomplished and the work not yet begun may be to the glory of God and be a blessing and useful service to all who follow.”
Booth’s words offer three key insights into why we continue to do what we do.
Booth believed that the ultimate purpose of any work is to glorify God. In our busy, success-driven world, it’s easy to lose sight of this. Yet, for Booth, glorifying God meant placing Him at the center of everything. It wasn’t just about doing good things; it was about recognizing that everything we do, from our personal lives to our church activities, should reflect our faith in God’s transformative power.
In the New Testament, Jesus speaks of being glorified not in moments of triumph, but in his sacrifice on the cross. This teaches us that the glory of God isn’t about human accolades; it’s about God’s presence in our suffering and sacrifice. In our times of uncertainty, we too can trust that God is with us, transforming our lives for His glory.
Booth also emphasized service—not just any service, but useful service. It’s one thing to help someone, but another to truly meet their needs. This is at the heart of Christ Church Cranbrook’s mission: to serve our community in ways that are practical, meaningful, and transformative. Service is a key to our dignity. Whether we give a little or a lot, when we serve others, we are participating in something far greater than ourselves. It is in serving that we find our true purpose.
Finally, Booth’s vision for the future was marked by hope. Even in uncertain times, he trusted that the work begun in his lifetime would continue to bless future generations. The tapestry he purchased in the 1920s, now hanging in our library, tells the story of King David handing over the plans for the temple to Solomon. Though David knew he wouldn’t live to see the temple built, he trusted in God’s future. Similarly, we are called to build for the future, trusting that God will use our efforts to bless those who come after us.
This forward-thinking mindset is especially important today. In a world that often feels overwhelming, it can be easy to focus only on the present. But our faith calls us to look ahead—to trust that God is already at work in the future, just as He has been in the past.
This Sunday we will celebrate our Founders. We invite you all to join us for a reception after the 10 AM service. I want to personally invite you all to join us for our Founders’ Day Celebration. This event will be held to mark the tremendous progress of our Next 100 Capital Campaign, a testament to the generosity, vision, and commitment of our community.
Event Details:
Date: September 29
Time: 11:30 AM (after the 10 AM service)
Location: Atrium
We hope you will join us for fellowship and refreshments on this celebratory day! During the celebration, we will also take the opportunity to recognize our Legacy Society Members who have remembered Christ Church Cranbrook in their estate plans.
If you have not yet had a chance to make your pledge to the Next 100 Capital Campaign you can do so by clicking here.
As we celebrate Founders’ Sunday, let’s remember that we are part of an ongoing story. The challenges we face today may be different from those faced by our founders, but the response is the same: faith, service, and trust in God’s future. Just as George and Ellen Booth, along with Samuel Marquis, believed that a church could make a difference in their chaotic world, we are called to believe the same today.
What is the “why” that you need to ask yourselves on this Founders Day? What is the “why” for what you do? What is the “why” that allows you the will to do and the know-how to accomplish something? May God bless this congregation and may we find our way into that future through the glory of God as a blessing and service to others. May we continue to glorify God, to serve others with love and purpose, and to trust in the future God is building through us.