National Register of Historic Places

Jacobsville Finnish Lutheran Church

Jacobsville, Houghton County, Michigan
Listed
October 7, 1976
Type
Building
Period
Industrial
Ref No.
76001028

About this property

The Jacobsville Finnish Lutheran Church is a church located near Jacobsville, Michigan. It was designated a Michigan State Historic Site in 1977 and placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. In the late 19th century, a wave of Finnish immigrants settled in the Keweenaw Peninsula to work the mines and associated industries. Although the area that is now Jacobsville was first settled in the mid-19th century, the community proper did not coalesce until 1884, when the nearby red sandstone quarries were opened. Jacobsville was populated mostly by Finns, and by 1886, there were enough immigrants in the Jacobsville area that they organized a new congregation: the Jacobsville Finnish Lutheran church, part of the Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. The first worship services were held in various locations; however, in 1888 the congregation built this simple frame church for their services. In 1891, the church was placed atop its stone foundation, and in 1892 a tower with bell was added to the front. In 1952, the congregation joined the Gloria Dei Lutheran congregation of Hancock. The church itself continues to be used for services in the summer, and retains the original furnishings, kerosene lamps and wood stove. In 1975, the foundation was reinforced and the roof was reshingled; however, no other improvements to the original structure have been made. It has neither electricity nor plumbing. The Jacobsville Finnish Lutheran Church is a one-story frame structure built in a rectangular plan. A square belltower containing the main entrance projects from the front. The exterior is covered with wooden siding covers the walls and the gable roof is covered with cedar shingles. The building sits on an 1891 stone foundation. The interior if the church is simply decorated, and many original elements remain, including kerosine lamps and the heating stove. Outhouses are located at one end of the building. Gloria Dei Lutheran Church (Hancock, Mich.). Jacobsville Chapel Committee, Jacobsville Chapel: (formerly the Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Church of Jacobsville, Michigan) : historical marker dedication, Jacobsville Chapel Committee of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church Clarence J. Monette (1976), The history of Jacobsville and its sandstone quarries Media related to Finnish Lutheran Church (Jacobsville, Michigan) at Wikimedia Commons

Location

Jacobsville, Houghton County, Michigan
46.98443, -88.41861

Categories

EXPLORATION/SETTLEMENTARCHITECTURERELIGION
National Register nomination ›
Sources

Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).

Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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Nearby Historic Sites

Keweenaw Waterway Lower Entrance Light
Industrial
1.3 mi
Chassell School Complex
Industrial
6 mi
County Road C11-Pike River Bridge
Industrial
6.2 mi
Hanka, Herman and Anna, Farm
Listed
8.4 mi
Hebard-Ford Summer House
Industrial
8.7 mi

Questions about this property

When was Jacobsville Finnish Lutheran Church listed on the National Register?

Jacobsville Finnish Lutheran Church was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on October 7, 1976.

What type of historic resource is Jacobsville Finnish Lutheran Church?

Jacobsville Finnish Lutheran Church is classified as a building in the National Register of Historic Places.

What is the period of significance for Jacobsville Finnish Lutheran Church?

The period of significance for Jacobsville Finnish Lutheran Church is recorded as the industrial era.

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