Michigan City in LaPorte County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Family Patronage Builds A Community
Photographed by Daniel Barriball, September 7, 2026
1. Family Patronage Builds A Community Marker
One of the town's founding families, the Barker's, have patronized Trinity Episcopal Church throughout its history. Among the earliest recorded services at the church was the 1841 wedding of Cordelia Collamer to John Barker, Sr. He and his son, John H. Barker, built the largest freight car manufacturing plant and assembly line of their time.
Through the years, Trinity Episcopal Church was rebuilt twice. The patronage of John H. Barker helped fund the third, and current, Trinity Episcopal Church in 1889. In 1901, the eight-bedroom Bishop's Mansion to the south of the church was built by Barker. His wife, Katherine, financed the connecting cloister.
The first Barker Hall was erected in 1886 by John H. Barker as a memorial [missing] three children, all of whom died in infancy. It was at this school that [missing] met his future wife, teacher Katherine Fitzgerald. The current [missing] was built by their daughter, Catherine, in 1929.
Erected by The Barker Mansion, Trinity Episcopal Church.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1841.
Location. 41° 42.95′ N,
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Northwest Indiana, specifically on the Indiana Dunes and Lake Michigan Shore, and in Greater South Bend. It is also in the American Midwest and in the Corn Belt. 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 territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: First Log Cabin in Michigan City (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Barker Mansion (about 500 feet away); Barker Civic Center (about 600 feet away); Haskell & Barker Historic District
Photographed by Daniel Barriball, September 7, 2026
2. Family Patronage Builds A Community Marker in context
The marker is to the right of the church next to the sidewalk to Barker Hall.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 11, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 7, 2026, by Daniel Barriball of Chesterton, Indiana. This page has been viewed 7 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 7, 2026, by Daniel Barriball of Chesterton, Indiana. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
