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Bloomfield Blossoms: p. 150-151

Smith, Kay, 1925-

Bloomfield Township Public Library

Bloomfield Township (Mich.) -- Religious life

Mormons -- Michigan -- History

Smith, Joseph, 1832-1914

GB01a077

part of 'Bloomfield Blossoms' by Kay Smith

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MORMON CONVERSIONS IN 1834 AND THE STRONG CHURCHES OF 1976 Joseph Smith, leader of the Mormons, came to Bloomfield several times. A cousin of his was married to Almon Mack, of Pontiac, and he visited her often and converted the family to the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints. The fire of his preachings spread quickly through Bloomfield and many families embraced the new faith, enduring Baptism by complete immersion in ice cold lakes where a hole made in the ice was the Baptismal font. While many families abandoned their land and followed Joseph Smith to Nauvoo, Illinois, where he met his death at the hands of an enraged mob, others who stayed in Bloomfield gradually drifted back to their original faiths. Today, church involvement is very strong in Bloomfield. Twelve denominations have 19 churches here, many with several church buildings in different locations. As the population grew, so did the number of churches, often designed by an outstanding architect. Traditional architecture and ultra-modern design are both visible. The major denominations in the area today are Baptists, Episcopalians, Jews, Lutherans, Methodists, Presbyterians and Roman Catholics.