History
Church of the Incarnation and David Byrd Chapel History
Please see notes about our chapel's history below, as well as the two videos that provide deep insight into our vision and life together along with a description of the construction of our beloved David Byrd Chapel.
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. (Click to see a video of the building of 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.
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
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.