Grand Rapids in Kent County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

First Baptist Mission Station

Photographed by Nathan Bierma

1. First Baptist Mission Station Marker

Inscription.
This tablet marks the site of the first Baptist mission station for the Ottawa Indians on Grand River established in 1827 conducted by Rev. Leonard Slater under the auspices of the American Baptist Missionary Union

Erected 1909 by Baptists of Grand Rapids.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1827.

Location. 42° 58.166′ N, 85° 40.605′ W. Marker is in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in Kent County. It can be reached from the intersection of Bridge Street and Scribner Avenue, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 303 Pearl St NW, Grand Rapids MI 49504, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in West Michigan.

It is also in the American Midwest.

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 walking distance

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of this marker: German-English Schoolhouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Final Resting Place of Gerald R. Ford (within shouting distance of this marker); Great Flood of 1904 (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Gerald R. Ford (about 500 feet away); Betty Ford (about 600 feet away); Grand Legacy (about 700 feet away); a different marker also named Grand Legacy (about 700 feet away); Grand River Bridges (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Grand Rapids.

Photographed by Nathan Bierma

2. First Baptist Mission Station Marker

Photographed by Nathan Bierma

3. First Baptist Mission Station Marker

Photographed by Nathan Bierma

4. First Baptist Mission Station Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on March 1, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 8, 2024, by Nathan Bierma of Grand Rapids, Michigan. This page has been viewed 410 times since then and 44 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 8, 2024, by Nathan Bierma of Grand Rapids, Michigan. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.