Sturgis in St. Joseph County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Free Church Park

Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, April 11, 2023

1. Free Church Park Marker

Inscription.
In 1858 the Harmonial Society of Sturgis built on this site a free church dedicated to religious liberty the first of its kind in the world

to perpetuate the memory of its founders this ground is granted to the City of Sturgis to be forever maintained as
The Free Church Park
In accordance with agreement filed with County Register of Deeds

Founders
Jonathan G. Wait • Balser B. Gardner • Harrison Kelley • John B. Jacobs • James Johnson • Nathaniel L. Hutchinson • Benjamin C. Buck • William H. Osbon

Granted in year 1920 by trustees

Frank W. Wait, Pres. • Harrison W. Kelley • Frank Gilhams • Arthur H. Wait • Joe D. Sturgis • Bert H. Parker

Erected 1920 by Sturgis Trustees.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Parks & Recreational Areas • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1858.

Location. 41° 47.96′ N, 85° 25.039′ W. Marker is in Sturgis, Michigan, in St. Joseph County. It is at the intersection of East Chicago Road (U.S. 12) and South Monroe Street, on the right when traveling east on East Chicago Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 203 East Chicago Road, Sturgis MI 49091, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southwest Michigan.

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

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walking distance of this marker: 100 E. Chicago (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); 101 W. Chicago Rd. (about 400 feet away); 103 W. Chicago (about 400 feet away); Paving the Way to Progress (about 400 feet away); 100 - 102 W. Chicago (about 400 feet away); The Heart of Sturgis (about 800 feet away); Sturges-Young Auditorium (approx. 0.2 miles away); 107 W. West Street (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sturgis.

Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, April 11, 2023

2. Free Church Park Marker

Free Church Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, April 11, 2023

3. Free Church Park

Credits. This page was last revised on April 23, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 23, 2023, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 359 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 23, 2023, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.