Clarklake in Jackson County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

First Universalist Church

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, November 28, 2022

1. First Universalist Church Marker

Inscription. Liberty Township was organized in 1837. Early settlers, many from New York State, founded the Universalist Society in 1856, They organized a Ladies Aid in 1869 and a school in 1876. The society held services in the school and the Methodist church until 1881, when it built this church at a cost of $2,400. Two days of sermons and "sumptuous" dinners preceded the church's March 2, 1882 dedication. After the dedication sermon, Baptists, Methodists ad Universalists alike donated the funds required to retire the remaining debt. The bell was donated to the church in 1922, and in 1940 the locally gathered fieldstone staircase was added. In 1961 the society joined in the national merger with the Unitarian church.

Erected 2011 by Michigan Historical Commission - Michigan Historical Center. (Marker Number L2225.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Churches & Religion. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission, and the Unitarian Universalism (UUism) series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is March 2, 1882.

Location. 42° 7.083′ N, 84° 22.62′ W. Marker is in Clarklake, Michigan, in Jackson County. Marker is on Jefferson Road, 0.2 miles west of Gates Road, on the left when traveling west

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. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2231 Jefferson Rd, Clarklake MI 49234, 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. Somerset General Store (approx. 4.8 miles away); W. H. L. McCourtie / W. H. L. McCourtie Estate (approx. 5 miles away); Hague Park: Summer Amusement Hot Spot (approx. 5.3 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 5.6 miles away); Brooklyn Presbyterian Church (approx. 6.7 miles away); a different marker also named Veterans Memorial (approx. 6.7 miles away); Brooklyn's Founder (approx. 6.7 miles away); Henry Ford in Brooklyn (approx. 6.7 miles away).

Also see . . . History. Excerpt:

Universalists from New York joined those in Michigan from Columbia and Liberty townships to form a Universalist Society in 1856. Many of our current members are descendents of those charter members. The Tuthills, Delameters, Wetherbys, and others gathered where they could, at various schools and homes, and sometimes in a grove of shade tress near Clark Lake on the DeLameter property. On special occasions, Father Almond Wood Mason, the “grand old man with the sunny face and the pleasant smile” would come from Manchester to meet

(Submitted on November 29, 2022, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan.)

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, November 28, 2022

2. First Universalist Church Marker

Additional commentary.
1. About Universalist Unitarian Church of East Liberty
While the denomination is officially named the Unitarian Universalist Association, individual congregations that were Universalist prior to the merger of the American Unitarian Association and the Universalist Church of American sometimes use Universalist Unitarian in their congregational names to emphasize their heritage.

— Submitted November 29, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.

First Universalist Church (now the Universalist Unitarian Church of East Liberty) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, November 28, 2022

3. First Universalist Church (now the Universalist Unitarian Church of East Liberty)

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, November 28, 2022

4. Date Stone

Universalist Unitarian Church of East Liberty church sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, November 28, 2022

5. Universalist Unitarian Church of East Liberty church sign

First Universalist Churchyard Cemetery image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, November 28, 2022

6. First Universalist Churchyard Cemetery

Credits. This page was last revised on December 4, 2022. It was originally submitted on November 28, 2022, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 65 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on November 28, 2022, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.