First Methodist Episcopal Church of Pokagon facts for kids
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First Methodist Episcopal Church of Pokagon
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 Location in Michigan
Location in the United States
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| Location | 61041 Vermont St., Pokagon Township, Michigan |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1862 |
| Architectural style | Late Victorian |
| NRHP reference No. | 02000295 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | April 1, 2002 |
The First Methodist Episcopal Church of Pokagon is a special old church in Pokagon Township, Michigan. It's also known as the Old Rugged Cross Church. This church is famous because the well-known hymn "The Old Rugged Cross" was first sung here in public. The church was recognized as a Michigan State Historic Site in 2000. It was also added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2002.
Contents
History of the Church
Early Days
Methodist preachers, called circuit-riders, started holding church services in Pokagon Township in the 1830s. By 1840, a group of church members was formed in Sumnerville. Later, the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Pokagon was officially started.
Around 1862, the building you see today was first built. It was used as a barn for storing hops, which are plants used to make beer. In 1876, the church bought the barn. They made it bigger and changed it into a church. They added a bell tower, which is now gone. They also put in special windows with pointed tops and colorful stained glass. New seats for the church members were also added inside.
The Famous Hymn
In 1913, the church's pastor, Reverend Leroy Bostwick, invited his friend, Reverend George Bennard, to Pokagon. Reverend Bennard came to help with a series of special church meetings. During one of these meetings, the church choir sang Bennard's new hymn, "The Old Rugged Cross." This was the very first time the song was performed in public.
After the performance, Reverend and Mrs. Bostwick paid to have the hymn printed. "The Old Rugged Cross" quickly became one of the most popular hymns in the United States. Many people still sing it today.
Restoration and Recognition
In 1914, the church congregation bought a nearby Baptist church. They then sold their old church building to a man named John Phillips. He used the building as a storage barn for many years.
In 1998, the old church building was bought again. This time, it was purchased to be restored and brought back to its original look. The restoration work was a big project. By 2013, about 85% of the work was finished. Over $800,000 was spent to fix up the church. The restoration was fully completed in 2021.
In 2013, the church received a special award. It was given the Governor's Award for Historic Preservation. This award recognized the great effort to save and restore this important building.
What the Church Looks Like
The First Methodist Episcopal Church of Pokagon is a rectangular building. It has two stories and measures about 90 feet long and 28 feet wide. It has a gable roof, which means the roof slopes down on two sides, forming a triangle at the ends. The outside walls are covered with horizontal bevel-edge siding. This is a type of wood paneling.
A gabled entryway sticks out from the front of the church. This is where people enter the building. The sides of the church have windows with pointed tops. Inside, most of the space is taken up by the main church area, called a sanctuary. This room has a flat ceiling. There is a kitchen at the back of the church. Above the kitchen, there is an area used for Sunday school classes.
