The Inter-faith Coalition of Congregations was formed in 1970 largely in response to demands made to area churches by the Black Economic Development League director Charles Thomas that that the churches pay "reparations" to fund self-help programs to alleviate some of the needs of the poor and disadvantaged in Washtenaw County. In 1973, following a merger with the Ypsilanti Inter-Faith Council for Social Action, the name of the organization was changed to the Interfaith Council of Congregations. Some of the early results of the funding provided by the churches were the Green-Glacier Community Center, the Peace Neighborhood Center, the Interfaith Council on Human Needs, and a dental program for poor children. The number of participating churched peaked in the mid to late 1970s, but the organization continued to operate into the 1990s.
From the guide to the Interfaith Council of Congregations (Ann Arbor, Mich.) records, 1970-2008, (Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan)
