Near Cassopolis in Cass County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Chain Lake Baptist Church and Cemetery
In the 1830s southern runaway slaves bound for freedom in Canada came into Michigan near Cassopolis. In 1840, Cass County's Quaker community, which provided a haven for the fugitives, became an integral part of the Underground Railroad. Many free African-Americans also settled permanently in Calvin Township. In 1838, Cass County's first African-American church was organized here. In 1853 the Michigan Antislavery Baptist Association, later renamed the Chain Lake Baptist Association, was formed. In 1856, Turner and Irena Byrd donated an acre of land for a cemetery. The monuments record the names of the township's early settlers including: George and Green Allen, and the Anderson, Ash, Artis, Calloway, Evans, Hawks, Sanders, Stewart and Wilson families.
Erected 1992 by Bureau of History, Michigan Department of State. (Marker Number L1352.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans • Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Churches & Religion. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission, and the Quakerism series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1840.
Location. 41° 51.609′ N, 85° 53.309′ W. Marker is near Cassopolis, Michigan, in Cass County. Marker is on Chain Lake Street, 0.6 miles east of Carver Road, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 16853 Chain Lake St, Cassopolis MI 49031, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Birch Lake Meeting House (approx. 1.7 miles away); The Underground Railroad (approx. 4.2 miles away); The Kentucky Raid (approx. 4.2 miles away); A Station of the Underground Railway (approx. 5.4 miles away); Captain Iven C. Kincheloe Memorial (approx. 5.8 miles away); Poe's Corners (approx. 5.8 miles away); Schoolhouse Bell (approx. 5.8 miles away); District Schoolhouse (approx. 5.8 miles away).
More about this marker. The site is Stop #4 on the Cass County Underground Railroad Sites auto tour.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 21, 2022. It was originally submitted on April 22, 2013, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 903 times since then and 62 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 22, 2013, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. 3. submitted on May 21, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 4, 5. submitted on April 22, 2013, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.