Near Bertrand in Berrien County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
St. Joseph's Mission
Photographed By Duane Hall, April 29, 2013
1. St. Joseph's Mission Marker
Inscription.
St. Joseph's Mission. . Here, in 1837, in the then flourishing settlement of Bertrand, a fine brick church, dedicated to St. Joseph, was built to serve the Catholics of this area. In this church, on September 8, 1844, the habit of the Sisters of the Holy Cross was given for the first time in America. Those who received the habit were Sister Mary of the Holy Cross, Sister Mary of the Nativity, and Sister Mary of Mount Carmel. The sisterhood opened a school this same year in a dwelling which still stands a thousand feet to the north. This mission in the Detroit diocese was directed by the Reverend Edward Sorin, C.S.C., founder of the University of Notre Dame. In 1911, the church was torn down. Madeline Bertrand, wife of the town's founder, is among those buried in this historic cemetery.
Here, in 1837, in the then flourishing settlement of Bertrand, a fine brick church, dedicated to St. Joseph, was built to serve the Catholics of this area. In this church, on September 8, 1844, the habit of the Sisters of the Holy Cross was given for the first time in America. Those who received the habit were Sister Mary of the Holy Cross, Sister Mary of the Nativity, and Sister Mary of Mount Carmel. The sisterhood opened a school this same year in a dwelling which still stands a thousand feet to the north. This mission in the Detroit diocese was directed by the Reverend Edward Sorin, C.S.C., founder of the University of Notre Dame. In 1911, the church was torn down. Madeline Bertrand, wife of the town's founder, is among those buried in this historic cemetery.
Erected by Michigan Historical Commission. (Marker Number 260.)
Location. 41° 46.707′ N, 86° 15.877′ W. Marker is near Bertrand, Michigan, in Berrien County. Marker can be reached from Madaline Street, 0.1 miles west of Adams
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Road, on the right when traveling west. Marker is accessed by a 200-foot dirt driveway from Madaline Street (approx. 300 feet west of Adams Road). There is a pipeline block valve enclosed by a chain-link fence at the corner of the driveway and Madaline Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Niles MI 49120, United States of America. Touch for directions.
3. Catholic Cemetery associated with St. Joseph's Mission
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on May 1, 2013, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 633 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on May 1, 2013, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
