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
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 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 walking distance 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
this page online
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 402 times since then and 36 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.
