Saint Ignatius Loyola Church facts for kids
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Saint Ignatius Loyola Church
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 Location in Michigan
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| Location | 703 E. Houghton Ave., Houghton, Michigan |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1898 |
| Architect | E. Brielmaier & Sons |
| Architectural style | Gothic |
| NRHP reference No. | 87001261 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | August 3, 1987 |
The Saint Ignatius Loyola Church is a beautiful old church in Houghton, Michigan. You can find it at 703 East Houghton Avenue. This church is very special because it's recognized as an important historical place. It became a Michigan State Historic Site in 1977. Later, in 1987, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's a building with a lot of history worth protecting!
Contents
The Church's Story: How It Began
The first Roman Catholics in Houghton needed a place to worship. They started by meeting in a boarding house. Later, they used a school building for their services. A leader named Bishop Frederic Baraga helped them plan a new church. He was located in L'Anse, Michigan at the time.
Work on the very first church building started in early 1859. On July 31, 1859, Bishop Baraga officially opened the original St. Ignatius Loyola Church.
Building a New and Bigger Church
After 1859, many different priests served the church. Most of them stayed for only a short time. But in 1895, a priest named Father Antoine Ivan Rezek became the new pastor. He stayed for a very long time!
During the late 1800s, the Keweenaw Peninsula area grew a lot. This was because of the copper mining industry. Many Catholic families from different backgrounds moved to Houghton. Father Rezek saw that the church needed to be bigger.
He decided to build a brand new church. He hired a company called E. Brielmaier & Sons from Milwaukee. This company was known for designing many Catholic churches. They designed several churches in Michigan's western Upper Peninsula.
Work on the current church building began in 1898. It was finished in 1902. Father Rezek, who later became Monsignor Rezek, was the pastor for 51 years! He stayed until 1946.
Changes Over the Years
The church building has had a few important additions over time.
- In 1928, a glassed-in entrance area was added.
- Between 1959 and 1964, a new section was built at the back.
- A connected building was added in 1991–1992.
The inside of the church was also updated. This happened in 1959 and again in the late 1980s.
What Does the Church Look Like?
The St. Ignatius Loyola Church is a very grand building. It sits on a hillside above downtown Houghton. It is built in a style called Neo-Gothic. This style looks like old European cathedrals.
The church is made from red Jacobsville sandstone. It has a tall, square tower in the middle. The tower has a pointed top called a spire. Inside the tower, there is a large brass bell. This bell was made in 1860 in Troy, New York.
Inside the Church
The church has beautiful stained glass windows. These windows were made in 1907 by Gavin Art Glass Works in Milwaukee. Inside, you will also see a detailed Gothic altar. This is the special table where services are held.
Images for kids
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Saint Ignatius Loyola Church in Houghton, Michigan
