New Baltimore in Macomb County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
New Baltimore / St. John's Lutheran Church
Photographed By Joel Seewald, July 11, 2020
1. New Baltimore / St. John's Lutheran Church Marker
Inscription.
New Baltimore, also, St. John's Lutheran Church. .
New Baltimore. French explorers led by Pierre Yax first settled this area now known as New Baltimore in 1796. Chippewa Indians inhabited this vicinity then. Fabian Robertjean made the first government land purchase in 1820. Twenty-five years later, Alfred Ashley of Mount Clemens came here and built the first sawmill and dock, and in 1851, platted the village of Ashley. He also managed a hotel and general store, opening the first post office in his store in 1852. German pioneers arrived here in 1853 clearing land along the Salt River for their settlement. Renamed New Baltimore in 1855, this area was incorporated as a village in 1867 and as a city in 1931. New Baltimore is a popular place for fishermen and hunters and is noted for its expansive shoreline dotted with summer cottages and homes.
St. John's Lutheran Church. In 1863, during the stormy days of the Civil War, Lutheranism had its beginning in the New Baltimore area. Seven German families made up the original congregation of St. John's Lutheran Church, holding worship services in the home of Fritz Turkow. Five years later the worshipers moved to an old chapel which was rented from the Baptists. In 1870 the Lutherans erected this structure on property given by Gilbert Hatheway in January of 1869. Services and religious instruction were offered only in German until 1916 when English was introduced with one English service a month. German services were discontinued in 1934. St. John's houses a Hinners mechanical action organ which was acquired in 1905.
New Baltimore
French explorers led by Pierre Yax first settled this area now known as New Baltimore in 1796. Chippewa Indians inhabited this vicinity then. Fabian Robertjean made the first government land purchase in 1820. Twenty-five years later, Alfred Ashley of Mount Clemens came here and built the first sawmill and dock, and in 1851, platted the village of Ashley. He also managed a hotel and general store, opening the first post office in his store in 1852. German pioneers arrived here in 1853 clearing land along the Salt River for their settlement. Renamed New Baltimore in 1855, this area was incorporated as a village in 1867 and as a city in 1931. New Baltimore is a popular place for fishermen and hunters and is noted for its expansive shoreline dotted with summer cottages and homes.
St. John's Lutheran Church
In 1863, during the stormy days of the Civil War, Lutheranism had its beginning in the New Baltimore area. Seven German families made up the original congregation of St. John's Lutheran Church, holding worship services in the home of Fritz Turkow. Five years later the worshipers moved to an old chapel which was rented from the Baptists. In 1870 the Lutherans erected this structure on property given by Gilbert Hatheway in January of 1869. Services and religious
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instruction were offered only in German until 1916 when English was introduced with one English service a month. German services were discontinued in 1934. St. John's houses a Hinners mechanical action organ which was acquired in 1905.
Erected 1979 by Michigan History Division, Department of State. (Marker Number L636.)
Location. 42° 40.815′ N, 82° 44.268′ W. Marker is in New Baltimore, Michigan, in Macomb County. Marker is at the intersection of Maria Street and Green Street (State Highway 29), on the right when traveling south on Maria Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 51161 Maria Street, New Baltimore MI 48047, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Also see . . . 1. New Baltimore, Michigan. Wikipedia article that includes more history of New Baltimore. (Submitted on July 15, 2020, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)
2. About Us. Web page on St. John's Lutheran Church's website with a more extensive history of the church. (Submitted on July 15, 2020, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)
3. Hinners Organ Company. Wikipedia article about the company that made St. John's organ. (Submitted on July 15, 2020, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)
Photographed By Joel Seewald, July 11, 2020
3. St. John's Lutheran Church
Credits. This page was last revised on May 16, 2022. It was originally submitted on July 15, 2020, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 242 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos:1. submitted on July 15, 2020, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. 2. submitted on March 8, 2022, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. 3. submitted on July 15, 2020, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.
