The Church of the Brethren presence in the Detroit area began in 1915 with a meeting of five people. From that meeting on, the church continued to grow, moving to a rented storefront in 1916, to a church building on Cadillac Ave. in Detroit in 1917 and on to an even larger building at Lafayette and Seyburn in 1922, The church worshipped there until 1951 when it was decided to split the congregation into a west side location (Trinity Church of the Brethren in Redford at West Chicago and Inkster) and the east side location of First Church of the Brethren on Lochmoor.

Groundbreaking occurred on may 20, 1951 (cornerstone was laid in 1952) and the church building was dedicated on April of 1953. The mortgage on the building was burned during a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the church in 1966.

Over the years, First Church has continued to worship, study and fellowship in our Harper Woods location. The congregation has reduced in size to the point that we cannot support all the ministries of the past. We continue to work together and are looking for a joint service or "yoked" arrangement with another local church. We plan on: Continuing the work of Jesus... Peacefully, Simply, Together!