Sault Ste. Marie in Chippewa County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
St. Mary's Pro-Cathedral
Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, January 3, 2023
1. St. Mary's Pro-Cathedral Marker
In 1853, Pope Pius IX separated the Upper Peninsula from the Diocese of Detroit and established a vicariate apostolic. Reverend Frederic Baraga, a missionary from L’Anse, became vicar apostolic and made St. Mary’s Church his headquarters. In 1857 the vicariate became a diocese, Baraga was named “Bishop of the Sault,” and the log church known as St. Mary’s became a cathedral. With the onset of mining, settlements sprang up in the western Upper Peninsula. Faced with the task of serving these remote parishes, Bishop Baraga obtained the pope’s permission to move the seat of the diocese to Marquette. In May 1866 Baraga left St. Mary’s and the parish became the pro-cathedral parish. In 1881 the present Gothic Revival-style church, designed by Joseph Connolly of Toronto, was erected.
Erected 1990 by Bureau of History, Michigan Department of State. (Marker Number S595.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Churches & Religion. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1866.
Location. 46° 29.901′ N, 84° 20.456′ W. Marker is in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, in Chippewa County. Marker is on East Portage Avenue (U.S. 75 Spur) near Kimball
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. First Mission Church (here, next to this marker); Ancient Anishinaabek Burial Ground (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Fort Brady 1850 (about 500 feet away); The King's Grant (about 500 feet away); Fort Chevalier DeRepentigny (about 600 feet away); Fort Brady (about 600 feet away); Statue of St. Mary (about 600 feet away); John Johnson Family (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sault Ste. Marie.
Also see . . . Holy Name of Mary Catholic Church. Excerpt:
In 1641 Isaac Jogues, S.J. and Charles Raymbault, S.J. named the St. Mary’s River Riviere Sainte Marie and said Mass here on the bank of the river Sault Sainte Marie’s first permanent mission was started in 1668 when Jacques Marquette founded the Sainte-Marie Mission and Le Sault de Sainte Marie. Jesuit missionaries had served the people for nearly 200 years when in 1853 Father Frederic Baraga became the first bishop of the Vicariate Apostolic of Upper Michigan in Sault Ste. Marie.(Submitted on January 5, 2023, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan.)
Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, January 3, 2023
2. St. Mary's Pro-Cathedral Marker
Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, January 3, 2023
3. St. Mary's Pro-Cathedral
Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, January 3, 2023
4. St. Mary's Pro-Cathedral Entrance
Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, January 3, 2023
5. St. Mary's Pro-Cathedral
Credits. This page was last revised on January 5, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 5, 2023, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 101 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on January 5, 2023, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
