Grace Episcopal Church (Jonesville, Michigan)

Grace Episcopal Church
Grace Episcopal Church (Jonesville, Michigan) is located in Michigan
Grace Episcopal Church (Jonesville, Michigan)
Grace Episcopal Church (Jonesville, Michigan) is located in the United States
Grace Episcopal Church (Jonesville, Michigan)
Location360 E. Chicago Street
Jonesville, Michigan
Coordinates41°59′3″N 84°39′37″W / 41.98417°N 84.66028°W / 41.98417; -84.66028
AreaLess than one acre
Built1848 (1848)
Architectural styleGothic, Greek Revival
NRHP reference No.71000391[1]
Significant dates
Added to NRHPMay 6, 1971
Designated MSHSJanuary 6, 1971[2]
Michigan state historic marker

Grace Episcopal Church is a historic church at 360 East Chicago Street in Jonesville, Michigan. It was designated a Michigan State Historic Site [2] and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971.[1] It is one of the first church buildings constructed in Michigan west of Detroit, and is one of the few surviving examples of indigenous church architecture in the state.[2]

History

In 1833, the Episcopal missionary William N. Lyster left Ireland for the United States, and eventually became the restor of a mission in Tecumseh, Michigan.[3] From there, he traveled throughout southern Michigan to minister to isolated communities; in 1836 he held the first church service in Jonesville.[2] Two years later, a parish was organized by Darius Barker. In 1844, the congregation began constructing this church; it was completed on November 15, 1848, at a cost of $3,000.

In 1946, an old schoolhouse was moved to the site of the church to serve as a parish hall.[2] The church was deconsecrated and sold in 2007, and then served as a coffee house. In 2021, the church was purchased by investors. The fellowship area has been renovated into a rentable AirBNB site that can sleep up to six people. The sanctuary is being refurnished and can be used for events such as weddings.[4]

Description

Grace Episcopal Church is a 1-1/2 story rectangular Greek Revival frame structure covered in clapboard.[2] The building has a single-story projecting entry vestibule, atop which is a square tower which intersects with the main structure.[3] Square pilasters run up each corner of the building, and both the entry projection and the main structure are topped with a gable roof.

Gothic double-arched lancet windows line the sides of the building, providing the building with a somewhat rare mix of Greek Revival and Gothic styles.[5] Similar single-arched windows are on each side of the entry vestibule.

Black walnut paneling lined the interior, and the pews are constructed of the same wood.[2] A small altar, also of black walnut, is set amongst frescoes.[6]

References

  1. ^ a b "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g "Grace Episcopal Church". Michigan State Housing Development Authority: Historic Sites Online. Archived from the original on December 2, 2013. Retrieved November 13, 2013.
  3. ^ a b Jim Schutze (November 13, 1970), NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES INVENTORY- NOMINATION FORM: Grace Episcopal Church
  4. ^ Nancy Hastings. "Coffee house is 'grounded in grace'". Hillsdale.net. Retrieved November 26, 2013.
  5. ^ Eckert, Kathryn Bishop (1993). Buildings of Michigan. New York: Oxford University Press. p. 20. ISBN 978-0-19-509379-7.
  6. ^ Writers' Program, Michigan (1973), Michigan, a Guide to the Wolverine State, North American Book Dist LLC, p. 394, ISBN 9780403021727

Further reading