Central Mine Methodist Church facts for kids
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Central Mine Methodist Church
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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 Location in Michigan
Location in the United States
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| Location | Old Stage Rd., Central, Michigan |
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| Built | 1869 |
| Architect | Multiple |
| Part of | Central Mine Historic District (ID74000991) |
| NRHP reference No. | 70000278 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1970 |
The Central Mine Methodist Church is a special old church located on Old Stage Road in Central, Michigan. It is part of the Central Mine Historic District. This church is one of the few buildings still standing and cared for in what used to be a busy mining town. It was recognized as an important historical place in 1970.
Contents
What Does the Church Look Like?
The Central Mine Methodist Church is a single-story building. It is shaped like a rectangle and sits on a strong stone foundation. There is also a basement underneath.
Outside the Church
The front of the church has a tall, square tower. At the very top of the tower, there is a belfry, which is where a bell hangs. The top of the tower also has decorative shapes that look like the tops of old castles. The outside walls are covered with wooden planks. The roof has a pointed shape, called a gabled roof, and is covered with shingles.
Inside the Church
The main room inside the church is called the sanctuary. It is about 46 feet long and 31 feet wide. Near the front, inside the tower, there is a small entrance area called a vestibule. The sanctuary has many pews, which are long benches for people to sit on. These pews were made by hand.
A Look at the Church's History
The town of Central was once home to many workers. These workers dug for copper at the nearby Central Mine. Copper mining happened there from 1856 to 1898.
Early Worship and Building the Church
Before the church was built, people in Central held their worship services in the local schoolhouse. In 1868, work began on building the church. This was a team effort between the Central Mining Company and its employees. Many of these workers were immigrants from Cornwall, England. The church was finished in 1869.
A Busy Community Hub
Once completed, the church quickly became a very important place for the town. It was a center for the community. At its busiest time, more than 300 people were members of the church.
The Mine Closes and Reunions Begin
When the Central Mine closed in 1898, many people moved away. The town's population quickly became much smaller. Because of this, the church eventually closed its doors.
However, in 1907, a former resident named Alfred Nicholls had a great idea. He suggested a "homecoming" event. This would be a yearly gathering where former church members and residents could come back to the church. This idea was put into action, and these annual reunions became very popular. As many as 200 people attended these gatherings. These special reunions have continued every year since then, even into the 21st century.
How the Church Has Changed
The church building is still very much like it was when it was first built. Only a few small changes have been made. In 1879, some pews were removed from the inside. Then, in 1968, a bell was finally placed in the belfry tower.
