Kirk in the Hills Presbyterian Church, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
Carillon and Bells donated to Kirk in the Hills by an "Anonymous Donor"
Bell manufacturer in Holland, awaiting transport
“Now – To Build Men!” – the inspired dedicatory sermon preached on November 23, 1958, as the beautifully rebuilt sanctuary rose from the ashes of a disastrous fire – rallied the entire Kirk congregation to a new level of spiritual enthusiasm after 18 months of worshipping at a nearby high school gym. Since then, scores of loyal and talented men of the Kirk have responded to that challenge, serving the Lord in a variety of ways in this Christ-centered community of faith that celebrates its 50th Anniversary this year.
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Photograph of the installation of the 77 Bells into the Kirk bell tower
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Kirk in the Hills, Presbyterian Church
Notable “Men of the Kirk” – Roy Fruehauf – by Val Corradi
Roy A. Fruehauf, who with his wife, Ruth, joined the Kirk in 1954, was one of those highly dedicated men whose managerial skills and magnificent generosity contributed mightily to the growth and greatness of the Kirk. Born in Detroit in 1908, Roy was the son of Louisa and August Fruehauf, who founded the Fruehauf Trailer Company in 1918. Young Roy joined the company 10 years later as a salesman in the Chicago office, rising through the ranks to become President in 1949 and Chairman of the Board in 1958.
A member of many clubs in the Detroit area, Roy also served as a director of ACF Industries, Inc., the YMCA, Salvation Army and the Grand Opera Association of Detroit. He was a member of the Society of Automotive Engineers and the French Legion of Honor. Short in stature but solidly built, he was only 57 when he died on October 31, 1965. He had been a faithful Kirk member for only 11 years, but in that short period, he was elected three times to the Board of Trustees in 1955 (a two-year term), 1957 and 1962.
Roy A. Fruehauf, who with his wife, Ruth, joined the Kirk in 1954, was one of those highly dedicated men whose managerial skills and magnificent generosity contributed mightily to the growth and greatness of the Kirk. Born in Detroit in 1908, Roy was the son of Louisa and August Fruehauf, who founded the Fruehauf Trailer Company in 1918. Young Roy joined the company 10 years later as a salesman in the Chicago office, rising through the ranks to become President in 1949 and Chairman of the Board in 1958.
A member of many clubs in the Detroit area, Roy also served as a director of ACF Industries, Inc., the YMCA, Salvation Army and the Grand Opera Association of Detroit. He was a member of the Society of Automotive Engineers and the French Legion of Honor. Short in stature but solidly built, he was only 57 when he died on October 31, 1965. He had been a faithful Kirk member for only 11 years, but in that short period, he was elected three times to the Board of Trustees in 1955 (a two-year term), 1957 and 1962.
The installation of the largest Carillon in the world
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The Bells ring out songs and time of day
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Dennis Curry, Organist and Carilloneur
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During his eight years on the Board, Roy was appointed to the Finance Committee from 1955 to 1959, serving as Chairman of that group in 1958, 1959 and 1962. He was also named Vice President of the Board in 1959, 1963 and 1964. Beyond his conscientious and prudent service as an officer of the Kirk, Roy Fruehauf contributed significantly to the upbuilding, enhancement and preservation of the church’s facilities over the years.
When the edifice was being built, he and his wife, who is still an active member of the church, generously donated the sanctuary organ in memory of their parents and Dr. John Wellington Hoag. He conceived the splendid idea of installing in the Kirk’s tall tower the world’s largest carillon in number of bells, made arrangements for its purchase and installation and financed the entire undertaking with his personal gifts. When the church embarked on the construction of the Kirk Abbey, he not only made the initial and most munificent subscription, but also spent considerable time and energy as co-chairman of the “Building for Children Fund” Committee.
Perhaps one of the most far-reaching contributions Roy Fruehauf made to the Kirk was something less tangible, but equally important to the vitality and strength of the Kirk today and in the years ahead. The Maintenance Reserve Fund was established at his suggestion, and he provided strong leadership and judicious oversight to see that surplus monies were continuously added to the corpus of that fund (now known as the Preservation and Restoration Fund) to meet the Kirk’s financial needs in the future. Roy Fruehauf’s abiding faith and Christian disposition, coupled with his characteristic generosity over a short span of years, provide yet another example of the exceptional men whose vision and gifts built the Kirk we know and love today.
When the edifice was being built, he and his wife, who is still an active member of the church, generously donated the sanctuary organ in memory of their parents and Dr. John Wellington Hoag. He conceived the splendid idea of installing in the Kirk’s tall tower the world’s largest carillon in number of bells, made arrangements for its purchase and installation and financed the entire undertaking with his personal gifts. When the church embarked on the construction of the Kirk Abbey, he not only made the initial and most munificent subscription, but also spent considerable time and energy as co-chairman of the “Building for Children Fund” Committee.
Perhaps one of the most far-reaching contributions Roy Fruehauf made to the Kirk was something less tangible, but equally important to the vitality and strength of the Kirk today and in the years ahead. The Maintenance Reserve Fund was established at his suggestion, and he provided strong leadership and judicious oversight to see that surplus monies were continuously added to the corpus of that fund (now known as the Preservation and Restoration Fund) to meet the Kirk’s financial needs in the future. Roy Fruehauf’s abiding faith and Christian disposition, coupled with his characteristic generosity over a short span of years, provide yet another example of the exceptional men whose vision and gifts built the Kirk we know and love today.
The five largest bells which tolled the time of day and hour were inscribed with biblical phrases from the book of Proverbs and named for each of Roy's children, with the two largest dedicated to he and his wife, Ruth.
The inscriptions: Roy, a faithful man, shall abide with blessings; Ruth, that feareth the Lord shall be praised, her children shall arise and call her blessed, Her husband also and he call her blessed; Royce, hear the instruction of thy father and forsake not the law of thy mother; Randall, be wise and make my heart glad; Ruth Ann, keep thy heart with all diligence for out of it are the issues of life.
The inscriptions: Roy, a faithful man, shall abide with blessings; Ruth, that feareth the Lord shall be praised, her children shall arise and call her blessed, Her husband also and he call her blessed; Royce, hear the instruction of thy father and forsake not the law of thy mother; Randall, be wise and make my heart glad; Ruth Ann, keep thy heart with all diligence for out of it are the issues of life.
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Roy hired sound engineers from MIT to create excellent acoustics in the new sanctuary. The organ was ordered from the Moller Organ Company with exact specifications for the Kirk Sanctuary. It is one of the great instruments of the Mid-West and has 9 divisions. The organ was donated to the church in memory of the parents of Roy and Ruth Fruehauf.
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