Near Buchanan in Berrien County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Portage Prairie United Methodist Church
Photographed By Duane Hall, April 26, 2013
1. Portage Prairie United Methodist Church Marker
(Side 1)
Persuaded by reports of good land from the Reverend John Seybert, Bishop of the Ohio Conference, the Jacob and David Rough families came to Portage Prairie from Pennsylvania in the spring of 1849. In 1851 they organized the Zion Evangelical Church. The denomination merged with the United Evangelical Church in 1922 and with the United Brethren Church in 1946. This church was renamed the Portage Prairie United Methodist Church in 1968.
(Side 2)
In 1887 the Reverend J.A. Frye sparked a religious revival that inspired the construction of this Gothic Revival Church. Embellished with oak details, the church cost $7,200 and was debt-free upon its dedication. Its 100-foot steeple was removed in 1919 due to severe electrical storms. Evangelical pioneers had worshipped in a log schoolhouse until 1859, when they built a yellow brick church. That structure was replaced by the present church.
Erected 1989 by Bureau of History, Michigan Department of State. (Marker Number L1368A.)
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 1849.
Location. 41° 46.98′ N, 86°
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Pears Mill (approx. 3.2 miles away); Downtown Buchanan National Register Historic District (approx. 3.2 miles away); Buchanan Downtown (approx. 3.2 miles away); Parc Aux Vaches (approx. 3.9 miles away); St. Joseph's Mission (approx. 3.9 miles away); Bertrand (approx. 4.1 miles away); Carey Mission (approx. 4.3 miles away); Fort St. Joseph (approx. 4˝ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Buchanan.
Also see . . . Portage Prairie United Methodist Church. Church website homepage (Submitted on April 29, 2013.)
Photographed By Duane Hall, April 26, 2013
2. Portage Prairie United Methodist Church Marker
Photographed By Duane Hall, April 26, 2013
3. Portage Prairie United Methodist Church and Portage Prairie Cemetery
Credits. This page was last revised on March 23, 2022. It was originally submitted on April 27, 2013, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 644 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 27, 2013, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
