St. Anthony in Monroe County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
St. Anthony Parish
Photographed by Craig Doda, July 25, 2026
1. St. Anthony Parish Marker
The cornerstone of St. Anthony Church was laid July 4, 1907. Following three unsuccessful attempts, 87 families heralding German, French, Polish and Irish traditions, finally had a church to call their own, thanks to the efforts of Father Alphonse Bertele, pastor of St. Joseph Church in Ida. Materials for the church were transported by horse-drawn mud boats from the Samaria rail yard, to navigate the surrounding marshlands. Construction lasted seven months, and upon completion, the church boasted one of the tallest steeples in Monroe County. Parishioners attended their first Mass in the church basement November 24, 1907. The first Mass in the sanctuary was celebrated Christmas Day by the church's first pastor, Father Denis Needham. Though the years have brought many changes, the church building looks much the same as in 1907, just as current parishioners hold dear to the same Catholic faith that guided those pioneer families 100 years ago.
Erected by Monroe County Historical Commission; Monroe County Historical Museum.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical date for this entry is July 4, 1907.
Location.
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Michigan and in Greater Detroit. It is also in the American Midwest. Globally, it is in North America, on the Great Lakes, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Welcome to Michigan (approx. 2½ miles away); School Bus Safety Mirror (approx. 2.7 miles away); Bedford Township Veterans Memorial (approx. 4.8 miles away); Liberty Corners Church (approx. 4.9 miles away); Erie and Kalamazoo Railroad (approx. 5.4 miles away); In Memory Of All Our Fallen Soldiers (approx. 5.4 miles away); Whiteford
Photographed by Craig Doda, July 25, 2026
2. St. Anthony Parish
Photographed by Craig Doda, July 25, 2026
3. St. Anthony Parish Cornerstone
Credits. This page was last revised on July 27, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 26, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 6 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 26, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
