Northern Michigan, including Cheboygan County, has long been known by residents and visitors as “God’s Country” because of its natural beauty, wildlife, and abundant lakes and rivers. For many people, it is deeply spiritual.

Even before the Europeans arrived in the 1700s, the area was recognized as a spiritual home for native tribes for thousands of years. “Spirit Rock,” just off the shore of Lake Huron west of Mackinaw City and “Arch Rock” on Mackinac Island are just two of many holy places for Native Americans.

In the Treaty of Washington 1836, Congress took ownership of 13,837,207 acres of land in the Eastern Upper Peninsula from Marquette to Drummond Island and from Alpena southwest to Grand Rapids from the Ojibway and Odawa nations. In 1837, the state of Michigan was created and opened to settlement, including the north. One year later, the government tried to remove the Odawa and Ojibwa from the treaty lands. The tribes fought against removal. In the 1855 Treaty of Detroit, they secured permanent claims of a small share of their former lands. The treaty allowed for further immigration to northern Michigan.

In 1844, Jacob Sammons settled on the Cheboygan River. He was soon joined by other settlers who, over the course of the next 30 years, built a sawmill, shingle mill, hotel, barber shop, drug store, hardware store, furniture store, livery stable, foundry and school.

In the first 30 years following Sammons’ arrival, settlers arrived in droves. By 1880, the village population was 2,269, and it almost tripled to 6,235 residents by 1890.

Many were attracted by the lumbering industry and land that was free for those who homesteaded it. Many of them found the courage to travel here because they already were strong Christians. Thus, they first built their homes and then it was time to thank God for the successes that they had received.

The first religious services were often held in homes. Sometimes they enjoyed visiting pastors. The first services for specific denominations were detailed in the Cheboygan Daily Tribune’s 1999 Millennium Edition:

• 1852 – first Catholic service, Rev. A.D.J. Piret
• 1868 – first Methodist service, Rev. F.A. Riley
• 1871 – first Congregational service, Rev. J.L. Maile
• 1878 – first Episcopal service, Rev. W.W. Rafter
• 1880 – first Baptist service, Rev. W. A. Conrad
• 1881 – first Lutheran service, Rev. S. Otto

As the population increased, it soon became obvious that churches needed to be built.

A brief history of the Methodist community.

The first Methodist Church of Cheboygan was organized Oct. 19, 1868, by Rev. V.G. Boyington. He was the presiding elder of the Grand Traverse Methodist district. A Cheboygan group had been formed the same month by Rev. William Riley. The group members were William and F. A. Riley, Arthur M. Gerow, Lewis and M.J. Weston. And later 10 more were added. The first board of trustees was composed of William Riley, A.M. Gerow and F.M. Sammons.

In 1869, a parsonage was erected. The church edifice was dedicated in 1872. The first pastor was Rev. William Riley. He was the first Protestant minister to perform the rite of Baptism, the Marriage Ceremony, and burial. The next minister was J.A. Van Fleet, followed by Rev. J.A. Wheeler. During Rev. Wheeler’s pastorate, the church was completed and dedicated. After him came ministers in this order: Rev. S.L. Hamilton (1872), Rev. J.W.H. Carlisle (1874), Rev. W.H. Ware, Rev. Alonzo Rogers, Rev. C.F. Whitecar (1876), and Rev. A.P. Morrison (1878).

In September 1879, the Cheboygan Methodist Church was transferred to the Detroit Conference. The next minister was Rev. Newel Newton. He was followed by Rev. W.M. Campbell (1880) and next by Rev. T.H. Leith. In 1891, it was necessary to repair and remodel the church. A room for Sunday School, prayer and class meetings was added. About $1,400 was spent for improvements. Methodist classes at Indian River and Riggsville were a direct outgrowth of the church in Cheboygan.

In 1905, a new Methodist church was constructed and dedicated on Huron Street. St. Paul United Methodist Church was built in the contemporary mission-style. According to the April 28, 1905 Cheboygan Democrat, the contractor announced that construction was “practically done and the building presents a fine appearance both within and without and is an edifice that is a credit to any city.” The building on Huron Street was in continuous use for 70 years until 1975. At that time, the Methodists built a modern, new St. Paul church in the groves of East Lincoln Ave.

The building on Huron Street was sold and renamed the Huron Street Tabernacle. It has been vacant about 10 years. It still features the original stained-glass windows. If restored, the church would be a fine venue for downtown community activities. The Methodist Church in the grove is in a beautiful, natural setting, a gift of faith for its parishioners. The current minister is Rev. Kristen Coristine.

Note from Audrey: I have limited space each week for my column. If you have additional histories of congregations in Cheboygan, please email me. I will share them with readers. My friend, Edith Hall, now deceased, told me that she was working with a group to record the complete history of Cheboygan’s Methodist Church. I have tried very hard to find a copy of the history they wrote. If any reader knows where I can obtain a copy, please contact me.