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Michigan state historic marker

Grace Episcopal Church is a historic church at 360 East Chicago Street in Jonesville, Michigan. It was designated a Michigan State Historic Site [2] and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971.[1] It is one of the first church buildings constructed in Michigan west of Detroit, and is one of the few surviving examples of indigenous church architecture in the state.[2]

History

In 1833, the Episcopal missionary William N. Lyster left Ireland for the United States, and eventually became the restor of a mission in Tecumseh, Michigan.[3] From there, he traveled throughout southern Michigan to minister to isolated communities; in 1836 he held the first church service in Jonesville.[2] Two years later, a parish was organized by Darius Barker. In 1844, the congregation began constructing this church; it was completed on November 15, 1848, at a cost of $3,000.

In 1946, an old schoolhouse was moved to the site of the church to serve as a parish hall.[2] The church was deconsecrated and sold in 2007, and then served as a coffee house. In 2021, the church was purchased by investors. The fellowship area has been renovated into a rentable AirBNB site that can sleep up to six people. The sanctuary is being refurnished and can be used for events such as weddings.[4]

Description

Grace Episcopal Church is a 1-1/2 story rectangular Greek Revival frame structure covered in clapboard.[2] The building has a single-story projecting entry vestibule, atop which is a square tower which intersects with the main structure.[3] Square pilasters run up each corner of the building, and both the entry projection and the main structure are topped with a gable roof.

Gothic double-arched lancet windows line the sides of the building, providing the building with a somewhat rare mix of Greek Revival and Gothic styles.[5] Similar single-arched windows are on each side of the entry vestibule.

Black walnut paneling lined the interior, and the pews are constructed of the same wood.[2] A small altar, also of black walnut, is set amongst frescoes.[6]

References

  1. ^ a b "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g "Grace Episcopal Church". Michigan State Housing Development Authority: Historic Sites Online. Archived from the original on December 2, 2013. Retrieved November 13, 2013.
  3. ^ a b Jim Schutze (November 13, 1970), NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES INVENTORY- NOMINATION FORM: Grace Episcopal Church
  4. ^ Nancy Hastings. "Coffee house is 'grounded in grace'". Hillsdale.net. Retrieved November 26, 2013.
  5. ^ Eckert, Kathryn Bishop (1993). Buildings of Michigan. New York: Oxford University Press. p. 20. ISBN 978-0-19-509379-7.
  6. ^ Writers' Program, Michigan (1973), Michigan, a Guide to the Wolverine State, North American Book Dist LLC, p. 394, ISBN 9780403021727

Further reading

source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grace_Episcopal_Church_(Jonesville,_Michigan)