Oceola Township near Howell in Livingston County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

St. John The Baptist Catholic Church

Photographed By Joel Seewald, August 26, 2017

1. St. John The Baptist Catholic Church Marker

Inscription. Irish immigrants founded a Catholic mission in Livingston County in 1843. The following year, two acres of land were purchased here and a log structure was erected for worship services. As the congregation grew it required a larger facility, and a frame structure was built onto the log church in later years. In 1868 the log portion was removed and the west end of the present corbeled brick building was erected. The cornerstone was consecrated at that time. In 1873 the frame segment was detached, moved across the road and used for services during construction of the present Gothic Revival structure. The church became a parish in 1974. Originally known as St. James, the St. John the Baptist congregation is the oldest Catholic congregation in Livingston County.

Erected 1982 by Michigan History Division, Department of State. (Marker Number L538.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Churches & Religion. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1843.

Location. 42° 37.854′ N, 83° 47.841′ W. Marker is near Howell, Michigan, in Livingston County. It is in Oceola Township. Marker is at the intersection of North Hacker Road and East Highland

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Road (State Highway 59), on the right when traveling south on North Hacker Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1991 North Hacker Road, Howell MI 48855, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Florence B Dearing Museum (approx. 2.8 miles away); Hartland Music Hall (approx. 2.8 miles away); Hartland Burying Ground (approx. 2.9 miles away); Tom Walker's Grist Mill (approx. 4.2 miles away); Saint Augustine Catholic Church and Cemetery (approx. 5.3 miles away); American Legion Veterans Memorial (approx. 6.3 miles away); Lakeview Cemetery GAR Civil War Memorial (approx. 6.4 miles away); Fairview Cemetery WWI Memorial (approx. 6½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Howell.

Also see . . . History of St. John Catholic Church. (Submitted on August 31, 2017, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)

St. John The Baptist Catholic Church and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Joel Seewald, August 26, 2017

2. St. John The Baptist Catholic Church and Marker

St. John The Baptist Catholic Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Joel Seewald, August 26, 2017

3. St. John The Baptist Catholic Church

Part of the new church, on the north side of State Highway 59, can be seen in the background.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 31, 2017, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 273 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 31, 2017, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.