In the late 1950s the Diocese of Michigan founded the Church of the Holy Cross in Swartz Creek Michigan. The parishioners met in a one room school.  In 1960 the name was changed to St. Bartholomew's when it became a mission of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in downtown Flint. In 1960 the church and parish hall were built and dedicated.  In 1992 the parishioners built the new parish hall with their own hands.

      On February 7th 2000 the congregation voted by more than 86% to leave the Episcopal Church because of its abandonment of the authority of Holy Scripture and tradition. St. Bartholomew's was the first Forward in Faith Parish to leave the Episcopal Church with her buildings since the founding of that organization.   Through the generosity of parishioners and other benefactors the parish was able to pay its mortgage off in five years.

 

Forward in Faith North America has provided Episcopal visitations for a number of years.  The Rt. Rev'd Keith Ackerman, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Quincy, has been a faithful visitor and friend.  In January 2007 the parish voted to affiliate with the Diocese of the Holy Cross.