Grosse Pointe in the 1800s:
New Neighbors, Diverse Influences
Most of the new Americans who came to the Detroit area following the War of 1812 were from the predominantly Protestant states of the east. When Governor Cass asked for a Protestant missionary, the call was answered by the Rev. John Monteith, a young Presbyterian of Scottish lineage. Reverend Monteith and Father Richard ignited a spark which resulted in the founding of the University of Michigan in 1821. Elementary schools in Grosse Pointe have been named for both pioneer educators.
