Vermontville in Eaton County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

First Congregational Church

Photographed by J.T. Lambrou

1. First Congregational Church Marker

Inscription. The Rev. Sylvester Cochrane, a Congregational minister from Vermont, first conceived of a settlement in Michigan after a visit here in 1835. Returning home he formed a group called the Union Colony, which settled in Vermontville the next year. The colonists were religiously oriented, and one of their stated purposes in settling here was to “remove the moral darkness” which they thought pervaded the West. Church services were first held in a log cabin and later in the Academy across the street. The present church was dedicated in 1864. The building strongly resembles certain New England meetinghouses of the late eighteenth century, especially in its roof framing of roughly hewn timbers and in much of the interior woodwork.

Erected 1970 by Michigan Historical Commission. (Marker Number HB54.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: 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 1835.

Location. 42° 37.728′ N, 85° 1.499′ W. Marker is in Vermontville,

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Michigan, in Eaton County. It is at the intersection of South Main Street and West Main Street, on the right when traveling south on South Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 110 South Main Street, Vermontville MI 49096, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Mid-Michigan

and in Greater Lansing.

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 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Eaton and Barry Counties Vietnam Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Vermontville First Schoolhouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Vermontville United Methodist Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Vermontville Academy (within shouting distance of this marker); Vermontville First Home (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); American Legion Post 222 Veterans Memorial (about

Photographed by J.T. Lambrou

2. First Congregational Church Marker

400 feet away); Opera House (about 600 feet away); Putnam Public Library (approx. 3.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Vermontville.

First Congregational Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J.T. Lambrou

3. First Congregational Church

The church is currently a preschool.

Photographed by J.T. Lambrou

4. First Congregational Church

The Academy across the street as mentioned on the marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 5, 2022. It was originally submitted on February 3, 2022, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 239 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 3, 2022, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.