Church of the Assumption (Phoenix, Michigan) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Church of the Assumption
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 Location in Michigan
Location in the United States
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| Location | US 41, E of M-26, Houghton Township, Michigan |
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| Built | 1858 |
| Built by | Nicholas Grasser |
| Architect | Frederic Baraga |
| Architectural style | Carpenter Gothic |
| NRHP reference No. | 00000220 |
| Added to NRHP | March 15, 2000 |
The Church of the Assumption is an old and beautiful Roman Catholic church. It's built in a special style called Carpenter Gothic. You can find it on US 41 in a place called Phoenix, which is part of Houghton Township, Michigan. Many people also know it as the Phoenix Church. This historic church was added to the National Register of Historic Places in the year 2000 because of its importance.
Contents
History of the Phoenix Church
Building the Church
Back in 1853, a man named Frederic Baraga became a bishop for the Upper Peninsula area. In 1854, he sent Rev. Henry L. Thiele to work at the Eagle River mission. This mission also included the mining town of Clifton.
In 1858, Bishop Baraga gave permission for Thiele to build a church near Clifton. The North American Mining Company gave land for the church and a cemetery. Thiele hired Nicholas Grasser to build the church for $1860. It is thought that Bishop Baraga himself designed the church. Building started in 1868 and finished in 1869.
Changes and Moving the Church
The church was first called St. Mary's. But by 1883, its name changed to the Church of the Assumption. Priests from the Eagle Harbor mission served the church.
In 1884, the Cliff Mine closed down. The number of people living in Clifton quickly became very small. The nearby Phoenix Mine also closed. With almost no church members left, the Church of the Assumption had to close.
However, in 1899, the Phoenix Consolidated Copper Company planned to reopen the Phoenix Mine. So, the church was taken apart and rebuilt in its current spot in Phoenix. During this rebuilding, the church's look was changed. It was made to look more Gothic by adding Gothic windows and changing the roof shape. The bell tower and spire were also rebuilt.
Later Years and Restoration
The Phoenix Mine closed again by 1905. The population of Phoenix once again became very small. Still, church services were held in the church until 1957. After that, the church finally closed its doors.
In 1985, the Keweenaw County Historical Society bought the church. They started a big project to fix it up and make it look new again. As of 2009, the church is no longer used for regular services. However, it is still used for special events like weddings and memorial services.
What the Church Looks Like
The Church of the Assumption is a white wooden building. It stands in what used to be the mining town of Phoenix. The outside of the church is covered with overlapping wooden boards called clapboard. It sits on concrete blocks, which replaced its old wooden supports.
The building has a main part called a nave, which is about 60 feet long and 24 feet wide. It has a steeply sloped roof. At the front, there's an entrance and a tall tower with a steeple. A small room is added to the back.
The roof is very steep. The double front doors have a pointed arch at the top. On each side of the main part of the church, there are four tall Gothic windows. Smaller windows are next to the entrance tower. There are also more windows on the sides of the tower. Another window is on the front of the tower, above the main entrance.
Inside the Church
Inside, there's a small entryway at the bottom of the tower. This leads into the main room, the nave. This room is long and narrow. It has wooden floors and walls covered with wood.
Above the entrance, there's a balcony called a gallery. A walkway down the middle leads to the altar. The altar is a rectangular wooden structure in the Gothic style. It stands on a raised platform at the front. Behind it are shelves for candles. A door in the middle of the back wall behind the altar leads to a small room. This room, called a sacristy, has a hip roof.
