Paw Paw in Van Buren County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
St. Mark's Church
⎯⎯⎯
The Reverend Darius Barker
Photographed by Duane Hall, September 4, 2013
1. St. Mark's Church Marker
(Obverse Side)
St. Mark's Church
St. Mark's parish, organized at the county courthouse on February 22, 1851, is Paw Paw's oldest Episcopal congregation. The Reverend Voltaire Spaulding conducted the first service in a vacant store. The present church's cornerstone was laid on the Feast of St. Mark, April 25, 1876. Joseph Davey built the church under the leadership of the Reverend Darius Barker. Bishop George Gillespie consecrated it on December 6, 1876. The bell tower with a bell donated by the Reverend George Schetky and his family was added in 1882.
(Reverse Side)
The Reverend Darius Barker
The Reverend Darius Barker was born in 1805 at Unity, New Hampshire. He came to Michigan in 1839, living in Lenawee and Jackson counties. In 1866 Barker became the first resident rector of St. Mark's Episcopal Church. Barker used part of his house, located at the intersection of Oak and Van Buren streets, as a chapel until the present church was built in 1876. Barker extended his pastoral duties to include other Van Buren County communities. He died on May 29, 1892, and was buried in Prospect Cemetery in Paw Paw.
Erected 1987
this page online
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 month for this entry is February 1886.
Location. 42° 13.074′ N, 85° 53.034′ W. Marker is in Paw Paw, Michigan, in Van Buren County. It is at the intersection of E. Michigan Avenue and N. Van Buren Street, on the left when traveling east on E. Michigan Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 609 E Michigan Ave, Paw Paw MI 49079, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Southwest Michigan and specifically in one of the Lake Michigan Shore counties. 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: Paw Paw Survey Stone (about 300
Photographed by Duane Hall, September 4, 2013
2. The Reverend Darius Barker Marker
Photographed by Duane Hall, September 4, 2013
3. St. Mark's Church / The Reverend Darius Barker Marker
Photographed by Duane Hall, September 4, 2013
4. St. Mark's Church
Photographed by Duane Hall, September 4, 2013
5. St. Mark's Church
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on September 6, 2013, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,181 times since then and 77 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 6, 2013, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.
