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Holy Cross Catholic Church building

Also Holy Cross Church

Draft — sources verified, prose evolving

Locator map: Beaver Island highlighted within the Beaver Island archipelago
Within Beaver IslandLocator plate © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0); depths NOAA; names USGS GNIS. How the plates are drawn.
TypeChurch
Built1860
Coordinates45.7452° N, 85.5222° WGoogle MapsDownload KML
WithinBeaver Island
ErasIrish eraModern era
On this page
Locator map: Beaver Island highlighted within the Beaver Island archipelago
Within Beaver IslandLocator plate © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0); depths NOAA; names USGS GNIS. How the plates are drawn.
Church
Built
1860
Along road
Donegal Bay Road · King's Highway
Coordinates
45.7452° N, 85.5222° WGoogle MapsDownload KML
Eras
Irish eraModern era
Concepts
catholicismreligionheritageirish-arranmoreconstructionarchitecture
Within
Beaver Island

Summary

The Holy Cross Catholic Church building is the present church of Holy Cross parish, on Donegal Bay Road (37860 Kings Highway) in St. James, Beaver Island. It was built in 1860 and consecrated by Frederic Baraga, then bishop of the Diocese of Sault Ste. Marie. It first stood inland beside the parish cemetery, about a mile south of its current site; in 1957 it was cut in half, moved, and reassembled at its present location to serve the population grown up around the harbor.1 Contemporary newspaper reporting fills in what the marker compresses to a single year: the Beaver Beacon still described the move as “almost completed” in January 1958, and the first Mass in the new location was not held until 16 February 1958.23

This article describes the physical structure — its construction, siting, relocation, and later alterations. The parish that owns and uses it, its clergy, liturgies, school, and Altar Society are modeled separately at Holy Cross Catholic Church and surveyed at Catholic parish life; the parish’s separate meeting building is Holy Cross Parish Hall.

History

Frederic Baraga first landed on Beaver Island as a missionary in 1832, well before either the Strang settlement or the Irish resettlement that followed it.1 The present church was built in 1860 and consecrated by Baraga as bishop.1 The August 1960 Beaver Beacon, marking the building’s centennial, adds a name the marker omits: it reports the parish “established as a parish in 1860 by the Most Rev. Frederic Baraga” and names “the Rev. Patrick Murray” as “the 1st appointed pastor.”4 That 1960 notice calls Baraga “the 1st Bishop of Marquette” — the diocese’s name from 1937 onward, applied retrospectively; at the 1860 consecration it was still the Diocese of Sault Ste. Marie, per the marker.1 “Patrick Murray” is consistent with, though not confirmed against, the “Rev. Father Murray” that Elizabeth Whitney Williams’ 1905 memoir names as the island’s first resident priest without giving a date.4

The 1860 building first stood inland, beside the parish cemetery, about a mile south of the present site.1 A 1963 rectory notice corroborates the location independently: the new rectory then under construction was to replace “the old stone house, a mile south of town that served the parish for over 60 years.”5 In 1957 the church itself was cut in half, moved, and reassembled on Donegal Bay Road to better serve the population center that had grown around the harbor.1 The Beacon’s own contemporary coverage runs a few months past the marker’s single date: the January 1958 issue reports the move “almost completed” and expresses hope that “Divine Services” would “resume in it very soon,” adding that the building’s new position gave “the harbor a picturesque, new look” and “greater convenience to Community”; the March 1958 issue reports the first Mass at the new site on 16 February 1958.23 By June 1958 the relocated building had received new exterior siding: “Insulite primed siding in planks of 12 in. wide by 16 ft. long and lapped 2 in.,” which the Beacon said gave the church the look of “a new building” visible “from far out at sea.”6

Interior work followed in February 1960: Matt Melville, Glen McCafferty, and “Father Louis” repainted the altar white with gold and green trim and planned to varnish the pews, ahead of the parish’s hundredth-anniversary year.7 The building’s small scale is attested directly in the centennial reporting itself: the September 1960 retrospective on the 14 August Solemn High Mass, celebrated by Fr. Louis Wren with Fr. Victor Gallagher as deacon, Fr. Vincent McCorry as sub-deacon, and Bishop Allen J. Babcock presiding, records that the overflow crowd “taxed the capacity of the little church.”8 The centennial program also used the building for a Mass for deceased parish members on 7 August and cemetery prayers that afternoon, and for a further Solemn High Mass and rectory open house on 10 August.4

A new rectory was built nearby in 1963–64, on the hill between the church and the Medical Center overlooking the harbor, designed by Richard Stromberg and built by Walt Wogan’s crew — a separate building from the church itself, but part of the same relocated parish complex.95

In October 1976 the Beacon announced a savings drive for a “carillon fund,” carefully explaining what the word meant for readers unfamiliar with it: “a set of speakers which will be mounted in the tower of the church,” paired with “a tape disk device” to “send forth music and chimes” at set times.10 This is direct evidence that the building has a tower, and that the 1976–77 “carillon” was an electronic speaker-and-tape installation rather than a cast bell; no source held here documents the building ever having a cast bell. The fund, inspired by David and Helen Pike and channeled through the Beaver Island Club of Grand Rapids, exceeded $1,500 against an estimated $3,500 total cost by October 1976 and was completed within a year.10 The installation was dedicated after the 10:00 a.m. Mass on 29 May 1977: Father Alvin Yard led the ceremony, a memorial plaque was presented to Mrs. Rose Connaghan and Jim Wojan of the parish council, hymns were played on the new carillon, and the congregation then moved to the church hall for refreshments.11

In September 1983 the parish contracted to have the church’s stained-glass windows cleaned and repaired, describing it as “very expensive work” and establishing a window fund to help cover the cost; the notice names no contractor and gives no completion record.12 The Beaver Island Master Plan of 2023, in its discussion of island energy systems, adds the most recent building change on record: “Holy Cross Catholic Church recently installed a geothermal system.”13 The 2024 Northern Islander records the building still in weekly use, with 12:15 p.m. Sunday Mass.14

Geography

The church stands on Donegal Bay Road (also mapped as Kings Highway) at 37860 Kings Highway, St. James, near the St. James Township Government Center, at 45.745193° N, 85.522238° W.1 This is roughly a kilometer inland of Saint James Harbor. The marker gives the reason for the 1957 move as serving “the island’s population center on Paradise Bay,” a phrase this article does not resolve to a specific mapped feature; see Saint James Harbor and the open question below.1 The original inland site, about a mile south beside the parish cemetery, is preserved today as Holy Cross Cemetery.1

Significance

Holy Cross is one of the archipelago’s oldest surviving purpose-built structures still in its original use, and its 1957 relocation, cutting a wood-frame church in half rather than replacing it, is itself evidence of how the island’s population center shifted from the original nineteenth-century settlement pattern to the harbor-front village. Its physical fabric (siding, altar finish, tower carillon, stained glass, and now a geothermal system) documents a century and a half of parish maintenance separate from, though closely tied to, the institutional history carried at Holy Cross Catholic Church and Catholic parish life.

Evidence and limits

The marker is a strong single source for the 1860 construction date, Baraga’s consecration, the original site, and the year of relocation; the Beacon’s contemporary reporting supplements it with a more granular timeline for the move (still incomplete in January 1958, first Mass 16 February 1958) and with a named first pastor, “the Rev. Patrick Murray,” not given by the marker. Neither source is an architectural survey: no building permit, contractor record, plan, or complete construction-materials inventory is held here, and no source establishes how much of the 1860 fabric survives beneath the 1958 siding or behind the 1976–77 tower installation. Holy Cross Catholic Church is not among the archipelago’s three NRHP-listed properties (Protar Cabin, ref. 72000604; Beaver Island Light Station, ref. 78001495; Mormon Print Shop).15

Open questions

  • Who built the 1860 church, and does any construction record survive elsewhere?
  • Does any part of the 1860 fabric survive intact beneath the 1958 siding, or was the building substantially rebuilt during the move?
  • Has the church ever had a cast bell distinct from the 1976–77 electronic carillon? No source held here says either way.
  • Is “the Rev. Patrick Murray,” named as first pastor in the 1960 centennial notice, the same “Rev. Father Murray” of Elizabeth Whitney Williams’ memoir? No source held here cross-confirms the identification.
  • What relationship, if any, does the marker’s “population center on Paradise Bay” bear to the modern-named Saint James Harbor? See Saint James Harbor.
  • Where is a copy of the 1960 centennial history book, which might supply an exact 1860 construction date and builder?

See also

Footnotes

  1. Michigan Historical Marker “Holy Cross Catholic Church,” marker ID L2251, front and back text, read directly from the retrieved GeoJSON. ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7 ↩8 ↩9

  2. Beaver Beacon, January 1958, “CHURCH MOVE.” ↩ ↩2

  3. Beaver Beacon, March 1958, “FIRST MASS ON NEW LOCATION.” ↩ ↩2

  4. Beaver Beacon, August 1960, “Holy Cross Church Celebrates Its Centennial This Month.” ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  5. Beaver Beacon, October 1963, “Ground Broken for New Rectory.” ↩ ↩2

  6. Beaver Beacon, June 1958, “HOLY CROSS CHURCH.” ↩

  7. Beaver Beacon, February 1960, “Holy Cross Parish News.” ↩

  8. Beaver Beacon, September 1960, “Holy Cross Parish Celebrates Its Centenary.” ↩

  9. Beaver Beacon, August 1963, “Holy Cross Rectory.” ↩

  10. Beaver Beacon, October 1976 and November 1976, carillon-fund appeal. ↩ ↩2

  11. Beaver Beacon, April 1977, “You Are Invited”; June 1977, “Carillion Dedicated at Holy Cross.” ↩

  12. Beaver Beacon, September 1983, “Church News.” ↩

  13. Beaver Island Master Plan (2023), Community Facilities and energy chapters. ↩

  14. Northern Islander, March 2024, worship and community-facilities listing. ↩

  15. National Register of Historic Places points and polygons layers, National Park Service, read directly. ↩

The dated record

110 dated events · 1956–2022 · peak 10 in 1960These years on the timeline →

Read the document

36 pages, rendered from the held scan.

Holy Cross Catholic Church building — p. 1
Page 1 of 36Michigan Historical Marker "Holy Cross Catholic Church," Michigan Historical Commission, marker ID L2251, registry listing year 2013, erected 2014.Open the page image · Download this page
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Sources

  1. Described in this archive: Beaver Island History Map, 1978 revision.
    Gives 1860 and says the church moved into town in 1957. Held newspapers refine this: the relocation began in 1957, was almost complete in January 1958, and first Mass at the new site was February 16, 1958.
  2. Primary held source for the building record: the front dates construction to 1860, records consecration by Bishop Frederic Baraga, says the original building stood inland beside the parish cemetery, and dates the cut-and-move relocation to the present site to 1957. The back records Gaelic liturgies and the Dominican Sisters school as parish history, not as building fabric.
    state · michigan · historical_markers
  3. Modern planning source that locates Holy Cross Catholic Church on Donegal Bay Road near the St. James Township Government Center; it confirms the current institutional setting but does not independently date the building.
    internet_archive · beaver-island-master-plan-20231113
  4. Contemporary community evidence for Sunday Mass in the building and Holy Cross Hall's continuing use; it is not an architectural survey.
    internet_archive · northern_islander_2024
  5. Reports a December 19 children’s Christmas program and December 22 Christmas Bazaar at Holy Cross Hall. This is evidence of the hall’s reported community use, not an architectural or facility record.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1974-12_Beaver-Beacon
  6. The held nine-page issue scan is paired with the OCR source and confirms the published notice or report; it does not expand the source-specific identity, event, or outcome claims.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · scans · beaver_beacon · issues · 1974-12_Beaver-Beacon
  7. Reports Christmas Midnight Mass at Holy Cross Church and a December 13 Christmas Bazaar for the church. The notice is evidence of reported community use, not an architectural or parish-facility record.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1960-01_Beaver-Beacon
  8. The held four-page issue scan is paired with the OCR source and confirms the published notice or report; it does not expand the source-specific identity, event, or outcome claims.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · scans · beaver_beacon · issues · 1960-01_Beaver-Beacon
  9. Reports February maintenance work on the altar and planned pew varnishing at Holy Cross Church. It is evidence of reported use and maintenance, not an architectural or facility record.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1960-02_Beaver-Beacon
  10. The held seven-page issue scan is paired with the OCR source and confirms the published notice or report; it does not expand the source-specific identity, event, or outcome claims.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · scans · beaver_beacon · issues · 1960-02_Beaver-Beacon
  11. Reports a March 31 parish meeting that suggested improvements to the hall. It is evidence of proposed community use and facilities work, not an architectural survey or completion record.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1960-04_Beaver-Beacon
  12. The held four-page issue scan is paired with the OCR source and confirms the published notice or report; it does not expand the source-specific identity, event, or outcome claims.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · scans · beaver_beacon · issues · 1960-04_Beaver-Beacon
  13. Reports Matt Melville, Glen McCafferty, and Father Louis painting the church altar white with gold and green trim in February 1960 and planning to varnish the pews; also announces the parish's hundredth year and an August centennial celebration. It does not identify Father Louis by full name or document completion of the pew work.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1960-02_Beaver-Beacon
  14. Reports the church "established as a parish in 1860 by the Most Rev. Frederic Baraga, the 1st Bishop of Marquette," names "the Rev. Patrick Murray" as "the 1st appointed pastor," and announces the release of a one-dollar centennial book through Father Louis Wren. The 1960 issue applies the diocese's later (1937-onward) name "Marquette" retrospectively; the diocese was named Sault Ste. Marie at the time of the 1860 consecration per the marker.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1960-08_Beaver-Beacon
  15. The held four-page issue scan is paired with the OCR source and confirms the centennial announcement and pastor-naming text.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · scans · beaver_beacon · issues · 1960-08_Beaver-Beacon
  16. Retrospective report on the completed August 14 Solemn High Mass, calling the structure "the little church" and reporting that an overflow crowd "taxed the capacity of the little church." Names Fr. Louis Wren as celebrant, Fr. Victor Gallagher as deacon, Fr. Vincent McCorry as sub-deacon, and Bishop Allen J. Babcock presiding.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1960-09_Beaver-Beacon
  17. Reports the church move "almost completed," hopes Divine Services would resume soon, and says the new position gave the harbor "a picturesque, new look" and "greater convenience to Community." Does not name a contractor or give plans, costs, or an exact site description. The holding institution's portal restricts automated access; the archive holds a copy of this issue and can provide it on request.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1958-01_Beaver-Beacon
  18. Reports that the first Mass in the new location of Holy Cross Church was held in the village on February 16, 1958 -- contemporary evidence that completes the move the marker dates to 1957. The holding institution's portal restricts automated access; the archive holds a copy of this issue and can provide it on request.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1958-03_Beaver-Beacon
  19. Reports new white siding nearly complete: "Insulite primed siding in planks of 12 in. wide by 16 ft. long and lapped 2 in.," visible "from far out at sea." Does not give a contractor, invoice, or inspection record. The holding institution's portal restricts automated access; the archive holds a copy of this issue and can provide it on request.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1958-06_Beaver-Beacon
  20. Reports Walter Wojan's low bid for a new rectory to be built "between the Church and the Medical Center on the hill overlooking the harbor" -- evidence for the church's immediate built surroundings after the 1957-58 move, not for the church building itself.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1963-08_Beaver-Beacon
  21. Reports the September 1, 1963 groundbreaking, architect Richard Stromberg, builder Walt Wogan's crew, and that the new rectory would replace "the old stone house, a mile south of town that served the parish for over 60 years" -- corroborating the marker's description of the original inland site near the cemetery without itself describing the 1860 church building.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1963-10_Beaver-Beacon
  22. Explains the proposed carillon as "a set of speakers which will be mounted in the tower of the church," with "a tape disk device" to "send forth music and chimes" -- direct evidence the installation was electronic, not a cast bell, and that the building has a tower. Reports the fund exceeding $1,500 against an estimated $3,500 total cost. The holding institution's portal restricts automated access; the archive holds a copy of this issue and can provide it on request.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1976-10_Beaver-Beacon
  23. Repeats the October appeal and figures. The holding institution's portal restricts automated access; the archive holds a copy of this issue and can provide it on request.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1976-11_Beaver-Beacon
  24. Invites friends and relatives to a 10:00 a.m. Mass and 11:00 a.m. carillon dedication on Sunday, May 29, 1977. The holding institution's portal restricts automated access; the archive holds a copy of this issue and can provide it on request.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1977-04_Beaver-Beacon
  25. Reports the completed May 29, 1977 dedication: the memorial's origin in David and Helen Pike's idea and donation after David's death; funds raised through the Beaver Island Club of Grand Rapids in under a year; a memorial plaque presented to Mrs. Rose Connaghan and Jim Wojan of the parish council; Father Alvin Yard officiating; hymns played on the carillon after Mass; refreshments served afterward "in the church hall." The holding institution's portal restricts automated access; the archive holds a copy of this issue and can provide it on request.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1977-06_Beaver-Beacon
  26. Reports that "Holy Cross Church has contracted to have the stained glass windows in the Church cleaned & repaired," calls it "very expensive work," and records a window fund established to help cover costs. Gives no contractor, estimate, or completion record. The holding institution's portal restricts automated access; the archive holds a copy of this issue and can provide it on request.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1983-09_Beaver-Beacon
  27. Read directly. Locates the church on Donegal Bay Road near the St. James Township Government Center and, in its energy discussion, states "Holy Cross Catholic Church recently installed a geothermal system" -- the most recent building-fabric change on record.
    internet_archive · beaver-island-master-plan-20231113
  28. Read directly. The archipelago's three NRHP-listed properties are the Protar, Feodar, Cabin (ref. 72000604), the Beaver Island Light Station (ref. 78001495, polygon layer), and the Mormon Print Shop; Holy Cross Catholic Church is not among them.
    federal · layers · nrhp_points
  29. Read directly. The archipelago's three NRHP-listed properties are the Protar, Feodar, Cabin (ref. 72000604), the Beaver Island Light Station (ref. 78001495, polygon layer), and the Mormon Print Shop; Holy Cross Catholic Church is not among them.
    federal · layers · nrhp_polygons

Added 31 July 2026 · revised 4 August 2026. Recent changes

Cite this article

Beaver Island Archive, “Holy Cross Catholic Church building”, https://beaverislandarchive.org/structures/holy-cross-catholic-church/, accessed [date], citing Beaver Island Historical Society, *Beaver Island Historical Map* (1978 revision). (and 27 further sources listed on the page).

Last revised 2026-08-04. Fill in [date] with the date you read it — this page is static and cannot know that.

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