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

The Rev. Fr. Frederick Baraga

Photographed by Joel Seewald, April 5, 2024

1. The Rev. Fr. Frederick Baraga Marker

Inscription.
To the memory of
The Rev. Fr. Frederick Baraga
Missionary to the Indians of Grand River Valley
1833 - 1835
and The Rev. Fr. Andreas Viszaczvy
priest of St. Andrew's Parish
1835 - 1853
On this site stood the frame house used as a church, destroyed by fire January 14, 1850, at which time two lives were lost, and the church records burned. Also site of the first parish church of St. Andrew until 1874

Placed by
The Catholics of Grand Rapids
June 23, 1909

Erected 1909 by The Catholics of Grand Rapids.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical date for this entry is January 14, 1850.

Location. 42° 57.893′ N, 85° 40.218′ W. Marker is in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in Kent County. It is in Downtown. It is at the intersection of Ottawa Avenue NW and Monroe Center Street NW, on the left when traveling south on Ottawa Avenue NW. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Ottawa Avenue NW, Grand Rapids MI 49503, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in West Michigan.

It is also in the American Midwest

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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: Paul Steketee & Sons (within shouting distance of this marker); Rosa Parks / Maya Lin (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Love, 1966-1999 (about 600 feet away); Rosa Louise Parks (about 600 feet away); Arthur H. Vandenberg (about 700 feet away); In Memory of Grand Army of Republic (approx. 0.2 miles away); Kent County Civil War Monument & Fountain (approx. 0.2 miles away); Monument Park (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Grand Rapids.

Photographed by Joel Seewald, April 5, 2024

2. The Rev. Fr. Frederick Baraga Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on July 31, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 29, 2024, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 192 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 29, 2024, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.