The Parkway Heights Free Methodist Church was formerly Second Free Methodist Church of Detroit and was organized in 1912. After meeting in the home of one of its members, the first regular place of worship was a hall at Grand River and Wabash Avenue, which had been used as a store and pool room.

About a year later, a lot was purchased at the corner of Fifteenth Street and Buchanan where a basement church was constructed. During the years 1915-1916, the building was completed. From these early days until, 1949, under the leadership of a number of pastors, the church at this location was a lighthouse of spiritual blessing in the midst of a fast growing and changing industrial city. Many families were reached and a number of outstanding Christian leaders are today serving around the world because of the training and Christian experience they received at the Second Free Methodist Church of Detroit.

One of the problems facing the church, especially in the late thirties and forties, was the constant migration from the city to the suburban areas of the metropolitan district coupled with the overall population growth. Often after great gains and advances, the condition would cause an exodus of a number of members and families resulting in losses. This process, although very discouraging at times to both pastors and people, was a blessing in disguise, for in the movement of these city migrations, there came the nucleus and impetus for our churches in Redford, Ferndale, Lincoln Park and Dearborn.

In 1949, the church voted to sell the property and relocate. An excellent building site was purchased and a parsonage was built. Plans for the new church building were frustrated because of building restrictions so in 1951, the decision was made to procure a new property at the corner of Plymouth Road and Appleton Avenue. Construction began on the new colonial church building and in 1953 the building was dedicated. Rapid growth and a congregation averaging over 300 led the church to enter another building program in 1957. The educational wing was then constructed.

In the late 1980's, the church lost a number of members by job relocation, retirement and death. After many attempts to revitalize the congregation the church decided to disband in 2003. The Free Methodist Church desires for the property to transfer to another growing congregation that can build on their past successes in praising God. Their blessings may be passed on to the new owner.