Jackson in Jackson County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

St. John's Church

Photographed by Dave Wilcox, May 5, 2012

1. St. John's Church Marker

Inscription. Constructed in 1857, St. John's is the oldest Catholic Church in Jackson and was the only church of this denomination in this city until 1901. Bishop Peter Paul Lefevre laid the cornerstone for this structure in 1856. St. John's began as a mission in 1836 and officially became a parish twenty years later. At that time Father Charles Moutard, the first resident pastor, led the congregation, then predominately Irish in origin. The potato famine of 1845 in Ireland forced thousands of Irish to the United States. Many of these immigrants settled in mining towns such as Jackson. During the early 1870s this edifice was enlarged, a school was added, and nuns first came here as teachers and workers. This church now includes people of many ethnic backgrounds. St. John's continues to serve the City of Jackson.

Erected 1979 by Michigan History Division, Department of State. (Marker Number L0587.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1857.

Location. 42° 15.263′ N, 84° 24.221′ W. Marker is in Jackson, Michigan, in Jackson County. It is at the intersection of North Francis

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Street and East Ganson Street, on the left when traveling south on North Francis Street. The name of Francis Street was Cooper Street prior to 2010. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 717 N Francis St, Jackson MI 49201, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Mid-Michigan.

It is also in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

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: First State Prison (approx. 0.2 miles away); James J. Keeley Park (approx. 0.3 miles away); Eldred Mill (approx. 0.4 miles away); Michigan Central Railroad Depots (approx. half a mile away); Jackson Train Station (approx. half a mile away); City Bank and Trust Company, N.A. (approx. half a mile away); Jacksonburg Public Square (approx. half a mile away); Abolitionists in Jackson (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Jackson.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Moments in Time (was approx. half a mile away but has been confirmed missing).

St. John's Church and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Dave Wilcox, May 5, 2012

2. St. John's Church and Marker

St. John's Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Dave Wilcox, May 5, 2012

3. St. John's Church

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on May 16, 2012, by Dave Wilcox of Grass Lake, Michigan. This page has been viewed 1,352 times since then and 48 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 16, 2012, by Dave Wilcox of Grass Lake, Michigan. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.