Near L'Anse in Baraga County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Arrival at LaPointe

— Bishop Baraga Shrine —

Photographed by J. J. Prats, August 3, 2024

1. Arrival at LaPointe Marker

Inscription. LaPointe was the first mission Father Baraga established in the upper region. Located on Madeline Island on the western end of Lake Superior, it was an Indian village in which, at times, Canadian traders resided to traffic with the Indians. Upon Baraga’s initial arrival, he was greatly pleased by the warmth with which he was welcomed. For many years, the Indians had longed for a priest and frequently requested that one might be sent to them.

Seeing their desire for and need of a priest, Baraga encouraged priestly vocations. He wrote in one of his letters, “Truly the want of priests in our diocese is sad. Would it not pay to work and suffer much in order to save even one soul and thus forever make it happy.” His encouragement to the Indians of that village was to build a house of worship. Under his direction, and with his help, the zealous people built a rough-hewn log building in just seven days. It was on August 7, 1835, that Father Baraga blessed and dedicated the first church to the patronage of St. Joseph.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical date for this entry is August 7, 1835.

Location. 46° 44.956′ N, 88° 28.409′ W. Marker is near L'Anse, Michigan,

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in Baraga County. It can be reached from Lambert Road south of U.S. 41. It is on the grounds of the Bishop Baraga Shrine. The shrine is no longer accessible directly from U.S. 41. It is well signed. Turn south on Lambert Road and follow it across the railroad tracks and to the right around the curve to the shrine’s parking lot. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 17572 US-41, Lanse MI 49946, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula

and in Copper Country.

It is also in the American Midwest,

on the Great Lakes,

and on Lake Superior’s South Shore Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Great North Woods,

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: Celebration of Holy Mass (here, next to this marker); Departure from Metlika (here, next to this marker); Unum Est Necessarium (here, next to this marker); The Snowshoe Priest (here, next to this marker); Storm On Lake Superior (a few steps from this marker); L’Anse-Lac Vieux Desert Trail (a few steps from this marker); Dog Sled Episode (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Adrift on Ice Floe (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in L'Anse.

Also see . . . Wikipedia entry for LaPointe Indian Cemetery in Wisconsin. Excerpt:

The cemetery traces its origins to a Catholic mission, started in 1835 by a Catholic missionary named Frederic Baraga. Fr. Baraga came to La Pointe from Europe in the summer of 1835, to evangelize the Native American population.

The mission was dedicated on August 9, 1835, under the name St. Joseph’s Chapel. It was made of logs, and was located about 100 feet south of
Photographed by J. J. Prats, August 3, 2024

2. Arrival at LaPointe Interpretive Sign (right)
On the left is the Celebration of Holy Mass sign.
the current graveyard. The graveyard was consecrated the following year as the official burial place of the Catholic mission.

(Submitted on August 29, 2024.)

Credits. This page was last revised on August 30, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 29, 2024, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 320 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 29, 2024, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.