Embedded Files
History of Our Chapel and Our Church
Please see notes about Incarnation's history below, as well as the two videos that provide deep insight into our vision and life together as well as a documenting of the construction of our beloved David Byrd Chapel.
Discarded Materials Become a New Church
Discarded Materials Become a New Church
Our chapel was built by students from the Construction Technology Program at Washtenaw Community College, a program founded by architect David R. Byrd to enable minority youth to qualify for building trade apprenticeships.
Mr. Byrd and his students used discarded and flawed materials to build the chapel. Over the main door they inscribed the words, “The stone the builders rejected.” This is a reference to passages from Psalm 118 and Matthew 21: The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. It is also a fitting description for a chapel that reveals how the New Creation can rise from the materials--and people--that our society has rejected.
Click here to see an article on the history of the David Byrd Chapel.
Episcopal Church Pride Shield
Making LGBTQ History
Making LGBTQ History
The Episcopal Church of the Incarnation was committed to LGBTQ inclusion since its founding in the 1980s. (For some LGBTQ members of Incarnation, Incarnation was the first environment where they were fully accepted for who they were.)
In 1992, Incarnation's pastor was joined by a new co-pastor, Jennifer Walters. In 1994, whe became the first openly partnered lesbian to be ordained in the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan. It became national news. Bishop Stewart Wood, Jr performed her ordination at great risk--conservative Bishops charged him with heresy, but fortunately those charges were dismissed.
Video History of Our Chapel--The David Byrd Chapel
Video History of Our Chapel--The David Byrd Chapel
This video, produced by Tiana Marquez in 2013, discusses the history and construction of the David Byrd Chapel and includes interviews with David Byrd's wife Letitia Byrd and his stepson Kip Lightfoot.
Video History of Incarnation
Video History of Incarnation
This video tells the story of our 37-year old community, which began as a "mission" church under the supervision of Michigan's Bishop. This video was made for the 2021 Michigan Diocesan Convention during which we were recognized as a full parish of the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan.
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