Grand Portage in Cook County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Holy Rosary Catholic Church

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 21, 2024

1. Holy Rosary Catholic Church Marker

Inscription.
The oldest existing log church in Minnesota. The log structure was built in 1865, during the pastorate of Father Dominic Du Ranquet from Canada. The Jesuit fathers served the mission until 1905. The tamarack logs were covered with siding in 1940. The Benedictine fathers from St. John’s Abbey, Collegeville Minn. served until 1985. The Duluth Diocesan pastors from Grand Marais, Minn. served the mission since then.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1865.

Location. 47° 57.988′ N, 89° 40.947′ W. Marker is in Grand Portage, Minnesota, in Cook County. It is at the intersection of Upper Road (County Road 17) and Bay Road, on the left when traveling north on Upper Road. The marker is located on the access road leading to the church, outbuildings and cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 43 Upper Road, Grand Portage MN 55605, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Minnesota’s Boundary Waters Canoe Area

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Wilderness,

in the Arrowhead Region,

in the Iron Range,

and in the North Shore.

It is also in the American Midwest,

on the Great Lakes,

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

in the Great North Woods,

on Lake Superior’s North Shore,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

Rupert’s Land,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: 20th-Century Grand Portage (approx. 0.2 miles away); From Slog to Grog (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Grand Portage (approx. ¼ mile away); Guard the Gate (approx. 0.3 miles away); North West Company Fur Press (approx. 0.3 miles away); The North West Company (approx. 0.3 miles away); North West Company Depot (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Birchbark Canoe (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Grand Portage.

Also see . . . About St. John's and Holy Rosary Catholic Church.

Excerpt: Holy Rosary Catholic
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 21, 2024

2. Holy Rosary Catholic Church Marker
Looking southwest from Upper Road; the sanctuary (left) and rectory (middle) are behind the marker.
Church in Grand Portage was built in 1865 to serve the spiritual needs of the Ojibwa Community and is the oldest log cabin church still operating in Minnesota. Five miles from the Canadian Border, Grand Portage was the center of the North American fur trade during the late 1700's. The parish was served by a succession of early itinerant missionaries, Jesuits, Benedictines and since 1985, by the Diocese of Duluth. In 1940, the exterior logs were covered with siding to improve insulation, but the same log siding can still be seen on the rectory next door. The parish of about 30 families is served by the Pastor of St. John's in Grand Marais and welcomes many tourists each year.

(Submitted on August 17, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Holy Rosary Catholic Church Rectory image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 21, 2024

3. Holy Rosary Catholic Church Rectory

The original tamarack logs are still visible on the west side.

Holy Rosary Catholic Church Cemetery image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 21, 2024

4. Holy Rosary Catholic Church Cemetery

Located on the northwest side of the sanctuary.

Holy Rosary Catholic Church (<i>southeast elevation</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 21, 2024

5. Holy Rosary Catholic Church (southeast elevation)

Holy Rosary Catholic Church (<i>southwest elevation</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 21, 2024

6. Holy Rosary Catholic Church (southwest elevation)

Credits. This page was last revised on August 17, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 17, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 271 times since then and 44 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on August 17, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.