White Lake Township in Oakland County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

St. Patrick Church

Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, May 13, 2021

1. St. Patrick Church Marker

Inscription. This white clapboard edifice was built by Irish immigrants in 1840. It is believed to be the oldest existing frame Catholic church building in the Lower Peninsula. This area was one of the earliest in Michigan to be settled by Irish immigrants who arrived during the 1830s. The parish was organized in 1839 with about thirty members. Their numbers increased when the potato famine of 1845 in Ireland forced thousands of others to the United States. Having outgrown this tiny structure by the 1880s, the congregation travelled to Pontiac, Milford, and other areas until approximately 1950, when a permanent parish was established here in Union Lake. Maintaining its original floors, walls, and windows, this edifice is still used for ceremonial purposes. Today, the surrounding neighborhood is known as the “Dublin” area.

Erected 1978 by Michigan History Division, Department of State. (Marker Number L518.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1840.

Location. 42° 37.793′ N, 83° 27.704′ W. Marker is in White Lake Township, Michigan, in Oakland County. It is at the intersection

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of Union Lake Road and Hutchins Road, on the right when traveling north on Union Lake Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 9086 Hutchins Rd, White Lake MI 48386, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Michigan

and in Greater Detroit.

It is also in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

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 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Hathaway-Hess Farm (approx. one mile away); Kelley-Fisk Farm (approx. 1.9 miles away); Four Towns Methodist Church (approx. 2.6 miles away); Commerce Village Burying Ground (approx. 2.7 miles away); Commerce United Methodist Congregation / Commerce United Methodist Church (approx. 2.8 miles away); Byers Homestead (approx. 2.9 miles away); Commerce Roller Mill (approx. 2.9 miles away); White Lake Township Hall (approx. 2.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in White Lake Township.

Also see . . . History of St. Patrick. (Submitted on July 13, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan.)

Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, May 13, 2021

2. St. Patrick Church Marker

Original edifice noted on marker. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, May 13, 2021

3. Original edifice noted on marker.

St. Patrick Church Cemetery located next to marker. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, May 13, 2021

4. St. Patrick Church Cemetery located next to marker.

Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, May 13, 2021

5. St. Patrick

Patron saint of this church

Credits. This page was last revised on August 8, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 13, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 518 times since then and 65 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 13, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.