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

First Congregational Church

Photographed by J. J. Prats, September 23, 2023

1. First Congregational Church Marker

Inscription. Soon after white settlers came to the area in 1856, J.K. Miller held religious gatherings at the home of Daniel and Sarah Carter. These meetings evolved into the First Congregational Church, which was organized on March 2, 1862, with the Reverend Charles G. Bisbee as pastor. Deacon Samuel Hitchcock, an Alpena developer and a charter member of the church, promoted the acceptance of people of all faiths. The first church was built on this site in 1868. Jesse and Anna Besser donated funds for the present concrete masonry church, erected in 1955. In 1961 the congregation joined the United Church of Christ.

Erected 1999 by Michigan Historical Center, Michigan Department of State. (Marker Number 2005.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical date for this entry is March 2, 1862.

Location. 45° 3.704′ N, 83° 26.09′ W. Marker is in Alpena, Michigan, in Alpena County. It is at the intersection of Lockwood Street and South Second Avenue, on the left when traveling north on Lockwood Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address:

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201 S 2nd Ave, Alpena MI 49707, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Northern Michigan Lower Peninsula

and in one of the Lake Huron Shore counties. It is also in the American Midwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Vietnam Memorial Moving Wall (within shouting distance of this marker); The Daniel Carter Family (approx. 0.2 miles away); Alpena City Hall (approx. 0.2 miles away); U.S.S. Maine Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Alpena’s Second Avenue Bridge (approx. ¼ mile away); Treaty of Saginaw (approx. ¼ mile away); St. Bernard Catholic Church (approx. ¼ mile away); Tragedy in the Mist: The Schooner E.B. Allen (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Alpena.

Another marker is no longer nearby. The Ties That Bind (was approx. ¼ mile away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

First Congregational Church and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, September 23, 2023

2. First Congregational Church and Marker

Also see . . . First Congregational United Church of Christ. Website homepage (Submitted on September 28, 2023.)

First Congregational Church, Alpena Michigan image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, September 23, 2023

3. First Congregational Church, Alpena Michigan

Marker is on the left under the trees.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 13, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 28, 2023, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 348 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 28, 2023, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.