| Nocat: | yes |
| Central Mine Methodist Church | |
| Nrhp Type2: | cp |
| Partof: | Central Mine Historic District |
| Partof Refnum: | 74000991 |
| Location: | Old Stage Rd., Central, Michigan |
| Coordinates: | 47.4069°N -88.2036°W |
| Built: | 1869 |
| Architect: | Multiple |
| Added: | October 15, 1970 |
| Refnum: | 70000278 |
| Designated Other1 Name: | Michigan State Historic Site |
| Designated Other1 Abbr: | MSHS |
| Designated Other1 Link: | Michigan State Historic Preservation Office |
| Designated Other1 Date: | July 17, 1970 |
| Designated Other1 Num Position: | bottom |
| Designated Other1 Color: | CornflowerBlue |
The Central Mine Methodist Church is a church located on Old Stage Road in Central, Michigan, in the Central Mine Historic District. It is one of the few structures being maintained in this nearly deserted mining town.[1] It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places and designated a Michigan State Historic Site in 1970.[1]
The Central Mine Episcopal Church is a single-story rectangular frame church on a stone rubble foundation with basement.[1] The front facade boasts a large square tower with a belfry and castellations on the top. The exterior is clad in wood siding with outlines along each edge; the gabled roof is shingled. The interior sanctuary is approximately 46 feet by 31 feet; an additional vestibule is located in the case of the tower. The sanctuary is furnished with handmade straight-backed pews.[1]
The town of Central housed workers from the nearby Central Mine, where copper was mined from 1856 to 1898.[1] Beginning in 1856, worship services were conducted in the Central schoolhouse.[2] Construction on the church was begun in 1868[2] as a joint effort between the Central Mining Company and employees, primarily immigrants from Cornwall, England. The church was completed in 1869, and promptly became a community center for the town.[2] Peak membership was over 300 people.[1]
However, after the Central Mine closed in 1898, the population in Central swiftly declined and the church closed.[2] In 1907, one of the original residents of Central, Alfred Nicholls, conceived of the idea of a "homecoming," where ex-parishioners would gather at the church once a year.[2] The idea was implemented, and as many as 200 people attended the annual gatherings.[2] These reunion gatherings have been held annually since, and continue into the 21st century[3]
The church is in nearly original condition, with the only changes made in 1879, when some pews were removed, and in 1968 when a bell was hung in the belfry.[1]