St. Paul's Church / Episcopal Church
N 41° 59.077 W 086° 06.694
16T E 573596 N 4648450
Quick Description: Church located in Dowagiac, use street side parking.
Location: Michigan, United States
Date Posted: 9/29/2014 6:54:58 AM
Waymark Code: WMMJMW
Views: 0
Long Description:
Under the leadership of Justus Gage (1805-1875), this structure was built in 1859 as a Universalist church. Completed at a cost of $3,000, it is Dowagiac's oldest public building. At the time of completion, it was the town's only auditorium. Women's rights advocates Victoria Woodhill, Belva Lockwood, Anna Shaw, Mary Livermore and Susan B. Anthony spoke here, as did civil rights supporter Sojourner Truth. Performers appearing here included Ole Bull, the Norse violinist. Episcopalians first met here in 1897. The Romanesque style of the exterior has remained unchanged; however, the interior was remodeled extensively in 1959, when Dom Francis Bacon O.S.B., (1903-1967) added mosaics and decorations reminiscent of very early churches.
The first recorded Episcopal gathering in Cass County was conducted by Bishop Philander Chase in 1832. In 1858, under the auspices of the Trinity Church of Niles, the first Episcopal services in Dowagiac were held. In 1897 the Reverend R.H.F. Gairdner of Niles helped establish St. Albans Mission. The mission rented this property. After St. Albans Mission dissolved in 1903, a small group of Episcopalians continued to meet informally until 1911, when St. Paul's Mission was formed. The mission first leased this structure, then purchased and remodeled it in 1913. On June 8, 1915, St. Paul's was established as a parish of the Diocese of Western Michigan. The consecration of this building as an Episcopal church was held on December 17, 1919.
Parking nearby?: yes
D/T ratings: 
Registered Site #: L1028
Historical Date: Not listed
Historical Name: Not listed
Description: Not listed
website: Not listed
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