
Oldsmobile-Higgins VFW Post 3727
Olds-Higgins VFW Post 3727
Also Known As:
Holt Presbyterian Church Annex
2108 North Cedar Street, Holt, Michigan
Status: Demolished c. 2005
Opened: 1949
Architect(s): Unknown
The cement block building which formerly stood at 2108 North Cedar Street was built in 1949 by members of the Holt Presbyterian Church as an annex to their historic church building. It stood behind the 1900 building which was home to the First Presbyterian Church of Holt for 65 years. The building had classrooms, meeting space, a kitchen, dining room, and a gymnasium. It was used by the church for over a decade primarily for Sunday School.
In the 1950s, when Holt Schools were short on space and funding, this annex building was leased in part to the school district. The classrooms were used for elementary students for approximately a year.
In 1964, the Presbyterians moved into their new church building at the corner of Holt and Aurelius Roads. They sold their old building, including this annex building and small chapel building, in January 1965 to the Oldsmobile-Higgins VFW Post 3727. The VFW demolished the historic building and sanctuary in 1965 (the historic bell, stained glass windows, cornerstone, and historical materials are retained by the church at their current location).
The VFW retained the annex building, the main purpose for their purchase of the property. They also retained the small 1951 chapel building.
The annex became the hall and home of the Olds-Higgins VFW Post for the next 40 years. The size of the post shrunk over the decades and the building was no longer needed, nor could the post afford the costs associated with upkeep.
In 2005, the Delhi Township Downtown Development Authority purchased the property due to its location in the main business district. The DDA demolished the VFW Hall building. An effort was made to save the small historic Presbyterian Chapel building on the same parcel. The DDA offered it for a sealed bids sale, which was unsuccessful and it too was demolished. The new Sam Corey Senior Center was built on this site in 2009. The old Senior Citizens Center was located at 4011 Holt Road.