Frankenmuth in Saginaw County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Frankenmuth
⎯⎯⎯
Saint Lorenz Evangelical Lutheran Church

Frankenmuth Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kathy Garman, August 22, 2020

1. Frankenmuth Marker

Inscription.
Frankenmuth The settlement of Frankenmuth and the organization of Saint Lorenz Evangelical Lutheran Church occurred simultaneously. Pastor Wilhelm Loehe of Neuendettelsau, Bavaria, was inspired to establish a German Lutheran colony by Michigan circuit riders who requested aid in bringing the Gospel of Christ to Saginaw Valley Chippewa Indians. Directed by Loehe in 1845, Pastor August Craemer and fourteen other immigrants began clearing forests in this area south to the Cass River. They built log houses and dedicated a log church on Christmas Day 1846. The second church, a frame structure, was erected in 1852 and enlarged in 1864, serving until the completion of the present church in 1880. The settlers named the “colony” Frankenmuth, by combining the name of their home region, Franconia, with mut, the German word for courage.

Saint Lorenz Evangelical Lutheran Church On September 26, 1880, fifteen hundred people gathered to dedicate this monumental Gothic Revival church. Designed by Cleveland, Ohio, architect C. H. Griese, it is the third church built by Frankenmuth’s Evangelical Lutherans. The

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elevated pulpit dates from 1864, when it was built for the frame church once located across the street. The baptismal font and the stained glass of the narthex, nave and apse are original. In 1895 Frankenmuth native John Herzog, a master wood carver, was commissioned to design and sculpt the altar in honor of the congregation’s fiftieth anniversary. In 1967 the transepts were built to accommodate the growing congregation.

Erected 1994 by Bureau of Michigan History, Michigan Department of State. (Marker Number L1729.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1845.

Location. 43° 19.791′ N, 83° 45.364′ W. Marker is in Frankenmuth, Michigan, in Saginaw County. It is on West Tuscola Street 0.1 miles east of South Dehmel Road, on the left when traveling east. Located just east of the entrance to the church's parking lot off of West Tuscola Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address:

Saint Lorenz Evangelical Lutheran Church Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kathy Garman, August 22, 2020

2. Saint Lorenz Evangelical Lutheran Church Marker

1030 W Tuscola St, Frankenmuth MI 48734, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Mid-Michigan.

It is also in the American Midwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Site of St. Lorenz Frame Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Frankenmuth Insurance (approx. half a mile away); St. Lorenz Main Street Central School (approx. half a mile away); Zehnder’s (approx. 0.8 miles away); Rau's Country Store Recalls Bygone Era (approx. 0.8 miles away); Michigan's German Settlers (approx. 0.8 miles away); Frankenmuth Bavarian Inn (approx. 0.8 miles away); Frankenmuth Woolen Mill (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Frankenmuth.

Saint Lorenz Evangelical Lutheran Church and the Historical Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by John Garman, August 22, 2020

3. Saint Lorenz Evangelical Lutheran Church and the Historical Marker

Saint Lorenz Evangelical Lutheran Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kathy Garman, August 22, 2020

4. Saint Lorenz Evangelical Lutheran Church

A view from the northwest corner of the church looking southeast.

Saint Lorenz Evangelical Lutheran Church Sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kathy Garman, August 22, 2020

5. Saint Lorenz Evangelical Lutheran Church Sign

Credits. This page was last revised on March 7, 2021. It was originally submitted on March 6, 2021, by John Garman of Rochester Hills. This page has been viewed 849 times since then and 58 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on March 6, 2021, by John Garman of Rochester Hills. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.

Frankenmuth⎯⎯⎯Saint Lorenz Evangelical Lutheran Church

Frankenmuth
⎯⎯⎯
Saint Lorenz Evangelical Lutheran Church