Our Historic Sanctuary

Central United Methodist Church was built in 1889-90 and has been, and continues to be, an important part of the Greater Lansing community.
It is located on the corner of Capitol Ave. and Ottawa St. in downtown Lansing Michigan, directly North of the State Capitol Building. It is listed in the National Register of Historic Places by the U. S. Department of Interior as well as a registered Michigan Historic site.
Central United Methodist Church is one of the finest examples of Richardsonian Romanesque churches in Michigan's lower peninsula. It's constructed of dark red Ionia (Michigan) sandstone with the trim being solid red oak. It is perhaps the only church designed by Elijah E. Myers, architect of the State Capitol.
Click here to download the
Infrastructure & Restoration Report June 13, 2005.

The Christopher Hansen
Memorial Carillon

The Christopher Hansen Memorial Carillon contains 36 bells and is located in the east tower of the church. The bells were poured at the Petit-Fritsen foundry in the Netherlands. A Taylor practice keyboard is located in the hallway between the balcony and the carillon chamber. The bells are behind the louvered half circle in the picture above. The carillon keyboard is located below the bells on the balcony level of the church. The instrument was dedicated on December 23, 1951. Wendell Westcott, Michigan State University Carillonneur 1947-1985, rang the inaugural concert. In the dedication booklet, Mr. Westcott, organist at Central UMC is credited for his assistance in the selection of a true carillon and not an electronic mechanism. Mr. Westcott has performed as guest carillonneur numerous times. Diane Ebersole and Jan Keen ring the carillon. They began their studies with Margo Halsted, Professor of Carillon at Michigan State University and University of Michigan. Their studies continued with Ray McLellan, Carillonneur at MSU. The carillon is rung before Sunday worship service. It rang for the Oldsmobile Centennial Celebration in August 1997, Silver Bells in the City and the “Bells for Hospice” Celebration, 1997 and many other occasions. To ring the bells, the carillonneur’s loosely closed fists strike the wooden keys and the carillonneur’s feet depress the foot pedals. When the keys and pedals are depressed, wires move the clappers to hit the inside of the bells and the bells sound. The more force used in moving the clappers, the louder the bells sound. There is only mechanical assistance involved in ringing music on the instrument. The carillon itself developed in the 15th and 16th centuries in the area of Europe that is now Holland, Belgium and Northern France. Presently, there are over 160 carillons in the United States. There are twelve carillons in Michigan. Six are located in churches and six are in university and other settings. If you have good piano skills and are interested in studying the carillon, please contact the MSU Carillonneur, Ray McLellan at 517-432-4066.