Grove Hill New Mission Church Explained

Grove Hill New Mission Church
Nrhp Type:cp
Partof:Omena Historic District[1]
Partof Refnum:100000534
Coordinates:45.0575°N -85.5861°W
Added:June 29, 1972
Refnum:72000631
Designated Other1:Michigan State Historic Site
Designated Other1 Link:Michigan State Historic Preservation Office
Designated Other1 Date:October 29, 1971
Designated Other1 Num Position:bottom

Grove Hill New Mission Church (also known as Omena Presbyterian Church) is a historic church located at 5098 North West Bay Shore[2] (M-22) in Omena, Michigan. It was constructed in 1858, designated a Michigan State Historic Site in 1971, and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.

History

In 1839, the Presbyterian Board of Missions sent the Reverend Peter Dougherty to the Grand Traverse area.[3] He founded a mission located at what is now called Old Mission, Michigan. He organized a church, including both European and Native Americans, in 1843.[4] In 1852, Dougherty and his mission moved to what is now Omena, establishing a "New Mission" there and constructing a mission and boarding school.[5] In 1858, Dougherty commissioned three local carpenters to build this church, based on traditional New England church design. The church was used by the congregation until 1871, when financial difficulties forced the mission to close.

In 1885, the church was re-opened as a Congregationalist church.[4] Since 1925, it has been used primarily in the summer months. It is still used as the Omena Presbyterian Church.[5]

Description

The Grove Hill New Mission Church is a rectangular frame front-gable structure sided with white clapboard.[4] The roof is covered with shingles, and is capped with a square steeple. It measures approximately by, and has a shed-roofed addition at the rear. The front entrance is covered with a triangular pediment supported by two pillars.

Notes and References

  1. .
  2. Web site: Omena Presbyterian Church . Presbyterian Church (USA) . January 25, 2014.
  3. Web site: History . The Dougherty Historic Home Site . January 25, 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140201215844/http://www.oldmissionhouse.com/mission . February 1, 2014 .
  4. Web site: Bingham District No. 5 Schoolhouse. Michigan State Housing Development Authority: Historic Sites Online. January 25, 2014. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20140204014216/http://www.mcgi.state.mi.us/hso/sites/8461.htm. February 4, 2014.
  5. News: Crakers, Aghosas and early Omena Presbyterian Church days . Deby Disch . Leelanau Enterprise . 2014-01-25 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170221010123/http://www.leelanaunews.com/news/2013-01-02/Life_in_Leelanau/Crakers_Aghosas_and_early_Omena_Presbyterian_Churc.html . 2017-02-21 . dead .