A Brief Summary of the Estonian Organizations in Michigan  [Eesti keeles] [In English]

There are three active Estonian organizations in the Detroit area (Metro Detroit).

Oldest of them is:

Estonian Educational Society of Detroit “Kodu”.

This organization was founded on October 17, 1926 by twenty five local Estonians. The goal was to gather Estonians in their new homeland, to preserve their native culture and language. This organization has had many ebbs and ticks in it’s membership but has persevered. When Maestro Anton Kasemets arrived to the Detroit area in the late 1940-s he declared: “We should support this organization particularly for it’s remarkable age!”. After World War II “Kodu” was instrumental in helping Estonian displaced persons, newly arriving from refugee camps from Europe, to find housing and work.[Read more...]

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Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church, Michigan Congregation

The above second Estonian organization in the area was founded by pastor Johan Sõmer in 1950. It has also included Estonians from nearby Canadian towns. Services are held every fourth Sunday of the month at 2 P.M., July being an exception (summer vacation). The December service is followed by dinner with traditional Estonian Christmas dishes and Santa Claus makes his appearance.

The idea to start an Estonian Congregation in Detroit came from Pastor Johan Sõmer who arrived here in June, 1950. Prior to that, three visiting clergymen had held three services in Detroit: Pastor Rudolf Kiviranna, Oskar Puhm and Aleksander Hinno.

The opening service of the new Congregation took place on August 13, 1950 in Bethel Lutheran Church on Grand Boulevard, Detroit. Pastor Sõmer officiated. This service was attended by 78 Estonians. A meeting was held following the service and the temporary council was elected. The council members were: Hilda Kansman, Anton Kasemets, Charles Olsen, Helmi Ruben, Juta Arens, Manuel Kansa, Valdo Telmet, Albert Koist, Agnes Tooma and Johanna Oja.

Officers were chosen by the council members:
Anton Kasemets – Chairman
Manuel Kansa – Secretary
Hilda Kansman – Treasurer.
Our congregation was registered by Bishop Johan Kopp and the Church Administrator in Sweden on December 13, 1950 according to the constitution of the Estonian Lutheran Church as compiled in formerly independent Estonia.

By the end of 1959 most of the “newcomers” in and outside the City of Detroit had joined the congregation, as well as several Estonian “old-timers” (pre Second World War emigrees).

The goals of the Congregation were set as follows:

To form a strong organization and hold religious services in Estonian language.
To stimulate the interest of young people in the Estonian culture.
To assist needy fellow Estonians.

All these objectives have been met during the last 50 years.

Church services have been held once a month, not only in Metro Detroit, but also at the beginning years in Saginaw, Ann Arbor and in Amherstburg, Canada as well.

1950 saw the beginning of Sunday School, lead by Mrs. Marie Sõmer. A Ladies Circle was formed, which arranged post-service coffee hours and annual raffles.

The annual Midwest area synod was held in Detroit in April, 1955, in Bethel Lutheran Church. Greetings were brought by Provost Walter Viks, sermon by Assistant Provost Rudolf Kiviranna.

The year of 1959 was the high point in the membership numbers – 220 members.

Out 10th anniversary was observed in Redford church on the 28th day of August, 1960. Sermon was held by (now) Provost R. Kiviranna, also served Pastors Philip Tammaru and Johan Sõmer. This day also marked Pastor Sõmer’s 25th anniversary as a member of the clergy. The Congregation showed its appreciation by gifting our pastor with a gold cross.

Only three and a half years later our beloved Pastor Sõmer passed away. He had served us faithfully until his final illness, at the same time employed full time in a factory.

Provost Kiviranna had persuaded Doctor Reverend Mihkel Soovik to start traveling from Fort Wayne, Indiana, once a month to provide us with church services. Dr. Soovik was willing to do so, even though he was at that time employed by Concordia College.

The figures from 1980 show that during the 30 years of existence, the number of services held was 625. Also 45 children were baptized, 76 youths confirmed, 22 couples married and 65 persons buried. Membership at that time was 110.

We do not own our church building, but rent it from other congregations. Thus we have used four different locations for our services. Since 1972 out “home” has been St. Paul Latvian Lutheran Church. This suits our needs since it is sufficiently spacious and has a separate building with a hall and meeting rooms which we have utilized for our Independence Day gatherings, etc.

The 40th anniversary, in 1990, brought Toivo Sõmer from Kansas as our speaker for the occasion. Toivo is the son of our founding pastor Rev. J. Sõmer and he also served as the Chairman of the Church Council for several years. An honored guest on our 40th anniversary was Marie Sõmer, the widow of Rev. Sõmer.

The Congregation bestowed a plaque on Toivo to recognize his past activities on behalf of the church and local community. Another recipient of the plaque was Juta Arens – the only member of the original council, still active and with us.

The membership on that date was 95.

The church service of August, 1992, was dedicated to Rev. Mihkel Soovik’s 50th anniversary of continuous service as a minister. Archbishop Udo Petersoo, who came to deliver the sermon, gave us a summary of the celebrant’s life and work.

Unfortunately Rev. M. Soovik became ill in 1993 and passed away on December 15, 1995.

Our next pastor from 1993 until today has been Rev. Kersti Kimmel. Pastor Kimmel also serves other congregations.

The year of 1993 also saw a change in the organists. Emilie Kalkun (Kuusk) had to retire due to health problems after 30 years of service in or church. The new organist is Doctor Arvi Sinka.

The following individuals have served our congregation as Chairmen of the Council:
Anton Kasemets
Leo Rebane
Valdo Telmet
Eduard Eerme
Artur Olev
Mart Merivalja
Raimond Suurna
Toivo Sõmer
Arvo Lõoke
Loit Maripuu
On our 50th anniversary in year 2000, our membership has aged considerably and decreased to 59 members, but our wish to maintain our religious services in our native language has persevered.

Let’s hope that we can continue in the same spirit in the years to come, so help us God!

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Legion of Estonian Liberation, Michigan Post

The third Estonian organization in Michigan is politically motivated Legion of Estonian Liberation, Michigan Post, founded in 1953. This organization participates in the activities and actions of such organizations as Captive Nations Committee and Baltic Committee in Michigan which have been bringing the Baltic problem into the public eye the for the past 50 years.

Last meeting of the Michigan Post was held on May 19, 2007 at the house of the president Axel Peil. It was decided then that the Organization would close it's doors.

Goal was achieved: Estonia was free again and also a proud member of NATO and EU, although danger from East is still existent.

God bless Estonia!