St. Francis Solanus Mission facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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St. Francis Solanus Mission
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 Location in Michigan
Location in the United States
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| Location | W. Lake St., Petoskey, Michigan |
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| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1860 |
| Built by | Jean Baptiste Trotochard |
| NRHP reference No. | 72000614 |
| Added to NRHP | March 16, 1972 |
The St. Francis Solanus Mission is a very old and important building in Petoskey, Michigan. It stands on W. Lake Street. This mission is the only building left from the Arbre Croche area that existed when Bishop Frederic Baraga was active. It is also the oldest building still standing in Petoskey. In fact, it is one of the oldest buildings in the northern part of lower Michigan. The mission was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972 because of its historical importance.
Contents
History of the Mission
Building the First Church
In 1856, a priest named Father Lawrence Lautishar wanted to build a church near this spot. However, some Protestant missionaries had settled in the area in 1852. They did not want another church built so close. Bishop Frederic Baraga asked Father Lautishar to stop building for a while.
In 1858, Bishop Baraga and an Indian agent named A.W. Fitch found a solution. They reached an agreement between the two groups. They decided on a new spot for the church, a bit farther from the Protestant mission.
A New Home for Worship
In 1859, a carpenter named Jean Baptiste Trotochard helped out. He gave one acre of his land for the new mission church. Bishop Baraga accepted this kind offer. He then hired Trotochard to build the church.
The new church was finished and blessed by Bishop Baraga on July 23, 1860. Native Americans used this church for their worship until 1896.
The Mission Today
Today, the St. Francis Xavier Church in Petoskey takes care of the Solanus property. The mission church was fully fixed up in 2008. It is open on some Sundays during the summer tourist season. A special church service is held there every year on July 14.
What the Mission Looks Like
The St. Francis Solanus Mission is a small church made of wood. It has a pointed roof, called a gable roof. The church is about 30 feet long and 20 feet wide.
There are two windows on each side of the church. These windows have six small panes of glass on the top and six on the bottom. At the front, there is an added part that holds a bell tower. This tower has a Latin cross on top. There is also an enclosed entrance area with a sloped roof. A simple picket fence goes all around the mission building.
Inside, the church is very simple. It has wooden seats that are about four inches wide. These seats do not have backs.
See also
- List of churches in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Gaylord
