Ray Township in Macomb County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Religious Society Church

Photographed By Joel S., circa October 11, 2008

1. Religious Society Church Marker

Inscription. The First Religious Society of Ray organized in 1869 and built this church on land donated by Arad Freeman, a member of Ray's founding families. Known for a time as the Ray Union Church, it originally had a steeple, and was similar in design to the Mill School. The church became the township hall when the society disbanded in 1950. Although Congregational in character the society had encouraged all Christian denominations to worship together.

Erected 2002 by Michigan Historical Commission, Michigan Historical Center. (Marker Number L1389.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Churches & Religion. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1869.

Location. 42° 46.191′ N, 82° 55.71′ W. Marker is near Ray, Michigan, in Macomb County. It is in Ray Township. Marker is on Wolcott Road, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 64255 Wolcott Road, Ray MI 48096, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Ray Township District No. 1 School (here, next to this marker); Millstones (approx. 0.2 miles away); Wolcott Mill (approx. ¼ mile away); First Methodist Episcopal Church

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(approx. 3.1 miles away); Crawford Settlement Burying Ground (approx. 4.8 miles away); Helen Starkweather (approx. 4.9 miles away); From the Foundry Fires (approx. 4.9 miles away); Wooden Wheels (approx. 4.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ray.

Religious Society Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Boushelle, April 10, 2014

2. Religious Society Church

After the church closed for services in 1950 the building was used for occasional Oyster Stew Suppers attended by local farm families. We looked forward to that event.At that time, only the main church building existed.

Mill School & Religious Society Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Boushelle, April 10, 2014

3. Mill School & Religious Society Church

Photographed By Bill Boushelle, April 10, 2014

4. Mill School

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 4, 2010, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 734 times since then and 6 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on August 4, 2010, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 25, 2014, by Bill Boushelle of Tucson, Arizona. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Wide area view of the marker and its surroundings. • Picture of the church building. • Can you help?