Architectural gems of southern Michigan

Paul Plassman is pictured at the Lenawee County Historical Museum with his book, “Southern Michigan’s Castles, Churches and Courthouses.”
Paul Plassman is pictured at the Lenawee County Historical Museum with his book, “Southern Michigan’s Castles, Churches and Courthouses.” (Lenawee Voice file photo)

ADRIAN — Southern Michigan is full of little-known architectural treasures. Spotlighting those treasures was local author Paul Plassman’s goal when he published “Southern Michigan’s Castles, Churches and Courthouses,” a 400-page book profiling many of the region’s most beautiful and significant pieces of architecture.

Plassman, a native of Medina Township, will be the guest speaker for the October installment of the Weber Retreat and Conference Center’s “Lunch and Learn” series. He will discuss some of the amazing but often overlooked treasures that can be found throughout the towns and countrysides of southern Michigan.

Plassman’s book features individual profiles of 157 different buildings, with many more featured in writeups of various historical districts. The book contains more than 700 photos.

Below are four of Plassman’s favorite Morenci-area sites, along with his notes on each of them.

The Lunch and Learn session featuring Plassman will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 15, at the Weber Center, 1257 E. Siena Heights Drive, Adrian, on the campus of the Adrian Dominican Sisters. The talk is free; guests can either bring their own lunch or order one from the Weber Center for $8. Anyone ordering lunch is asked to make a reservation at least two days in advance by calling 517-266-4000 or going to webercenter.org.

United Methodist Church: Completed in 1915, the design of the United Methodist Church mixes Romanesque Revival and Classical elements in a two-story layout.
United Methodist Church: Completed in 1915, the design of the United Methodist Church mixes Romanesque Revival and Classical elements in a two-story layout.
Samuel Stephenson House: The Greek Revival columns of the Samuel Stephenson House at 309 North Street, built in 1866, rank it as Morenci’s most architecturally significant home.
Samuel Stephenson House: The Greek Revival columns of the Samuel Stephenson House at 309 North Street, built in 1866, rank it as Morenci’s most architecturally significant home.
Wakefield State Bank: The grand columned facade of the Wakefield State Bank building, built in 1917 and now WesBanco, showcases some of the most impressive Classical Revival architecture in Lenawee County.
Wakefield State Bank: The grand columned facade of the Wakefield State Bank building, built in 1917 and now WesBanco, showcases some of the most impressive Classical Revival architecture in Lenawee County.
First Congregational Church: With a construction date of 1871, the First Congregational Church is the oldest church in Morenci and originally boasted a bell tower that was much taller.
First Congregational Church: With a construction date of 1871, the First Congregational Church is the oldest church in Morenci and originally boasted a bell tower that was much taller.