John M. Donaldson (1854-12/23/1941) Detroit, Michigan (F.A.I.A.)

A leading architect in Detroit for many years, in practice under the name of Donaldson & Meier. Born at Stirling, Scotland, he was brought to the USA when he was a boy by his parents, and completed his education in Detroit. At an early age he began architectural training with some of the leading firms in the city, and continued his studies in Germany and at the Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris.

At the age of twenty-two, he began professional practice in Detroit, first associated three years with Henry Brush, and in 1880 Joined Henry J. Meier in a partnership which was maintained until the latter's death in 1917. Subsequently Walter R. Meier succeeded to his father's place in the firm, with Mr. Donaldson continuing active as senior member. His architectural works, planned mainly under the firm name were numerous, comprising many of Detroit's most important Catholic churches and institutional buildings and a number of business structures in various cities. Among the notable examples of Donaldson & Meier's work in Detroit were, Chancellery of St. Aloysius Church; Seminary and Church of the Sacred Heart, the Holy Residence and Monastery; Church of the Holy Redeemer, 1923; David Stott Building; the first two units of the Penobscot Building, and the original Belle Isle Lagoon System and Zoological Gardens. Elsewhere the firm designed St. John's Church at Fort Huron, Michigan; the Alumni Memorial Hall at Ann Arbor in 1909, the the Church of St. Vincent de Paul at Pontiac, Michigan.

A member and Fellow of the American Institute of Architects after 1889, Donaldson was one of the organizers and a life member of the Detroit Chapter, A.I.A., also belonged to the Architectural League of New york, the Sculptors' Association, the National Council of Fine Arts, and several buisiness and professional societies.