* Read Sign
N45° 59.627' / W86° 17.533' ==>
Frederick Baraga was called "The Apostle of the Ottawas and Chippewas."
Baraga was born and trained in Europe. He arrived in New York City to
begin his work here on December 31, 1830. During his lifetime, Baraga
founded many missions in northern Michigan. The original Indian Lake mission,
the third of Baraga's faith, was built in anticipation of his first visit to
the area in May of 1832. The chapel, built by local Chippewas, used traditional
Indian construction methods and materials such as logs and bark. The Indians replaced
the first chapel with a larger one in 1833. Records suggest that the chapel may
have existed until 1873. Based on historical information, the Indian Lake mission
was rebuilt in the early 1980's on the original mission's site. Open to the
public on the northeastern shores of Indian Lake,
two blocks off State Road 440 on Arrowhead Road, the restored site includes a
chapel and several Indian dwellings, as well as an abandoned Indian cemetery.
All content property of Michigan Interactive™ ©1995, all rights reserved.
|
