MARQUETTE, Mich. (WZMQ) – St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Marquette is marking a major milestone this fall — 150 years since its sanctuary was built. On Sunday, the church is inviting the community to step back in time to 1875.
St Paul’s Episcopal Church on East Ridge Street is celebrating its 150th anniversary with a one of a kind event. “1875: Peter White at St Paul’s” at 4pm this Sunday, the community will gather inside this historic church to revisit Marquette’s past.
“Most people know that Peter White is the founder of Marquette in the area. He’s also a big founder here at St Paul’s Church, and a pretty key person here, and we’re kind of celebrating that joint history,” said parishioner, Fred Cole.
The event will be led by local historian and 19 News contributor Jim Koski, who will showcase photos of Marquette and St Paul’s Church dating back to 1875 adding to the story, actor Chip Truskin will step into the role of Peter White, one of the city’s most influential figures, and a long time supporter of the church.
“St Paul’s actually began, and I think it was 1855 or 1856, actually started on a steamship down in the Lower Harbor was where their first services were held, and in 1874 and 1875 the main sanctuary was built,” said Cole.
Attendees will enjoy live music before heading to the Morgan White Memorial Chapel for a reception. The Chapel houses the famous “Resurrection Tiffany Window”, originally commissioned by Peter White himself.
“So we’re hoping for a sunny day, because this window, when the sun is low in the sky, in the late afternoon, the colors just pop out of that window. It’s very beautiful,” said Cole.
The event is free to the public, and it will begin at 4 pm on Sunday. All donations will go to the St. Paul’s Building Restoration Fund. St. Paul’s is one of only 24 houses of worship in the country to be awarded a national grant for historic churches.
