St. John’s Episcopal Church in Negaunee is pictured. (Photo courtesy of the Negaunee Historical Society)

NEGAUNEE — St. John’s Episcopal church is the oldest church body in Negaunee, having started worship services in 1887.

In 1887, a home was built on the shores of Teal Lake which was commonly known as “The White House” in the early years of Negaunee history. It was so named because it was painted white which made it very prominent in contrast to the dark surroundings.

It was built by a wealthy man from Kentucky in 1854 as a summer resort for his ailing daughter. The lumber used was hauled by wagon from Marquette through dense forests. That was long before there was even a place known as Negaunee.According to the story, it was used only one sumeer for the purpose that it was built.

The daughter died before another summer rolled around. In the history of the Episcopla Church, it states that James RAeynolds became the owner who moved into the community from the Carp River Location. This” White House” is of interest in the history of the Episcopal Church in Negaunee. Church services were held there during a period from 1857 to 1868.

Mr. Reynolds used the structure as a summer home. On Sundays he invited his friends to his residence and would lead worship services. His wife would gather children from the neighborhood and taught them prayers and church songs.

These services were held regularly each Sunday during the summer months until 1868 when the present church was built on the corner of Main Street and Teal Lake Avenue.When the foundation of the present church was laid, all of the Protestants in the community offered their services.

And so when the church building was completed it was known as the Union Church. However in 1869 this Union Society transferred the church to St. John’s parish on condition that the parish assume the debt amounting to $2,500. The cost of the property was $6,000 and an anonymous gentleman came forward and purchased the church building. Church members pledged enough to pay a major part of the debt.

The church was gilt in Gothic style and it seated 250 people. It had a heating system installed in it. Property consisted of a cabinet organ, a small Sunday school library, one large bible and several prayer books.

There werE approximately 70 children enrolled in Sunday school. Rev. George Wallace was the first permanent Rector of St. Johns, assuming his duties in 1869.

On June 9, 1869 St. John’s was admitted into union with the Convention of the Dioceses of Michigan until the organization of the Diocese of Marquette in 1893.

Rev. T.T. Hicks served from 1908 to 1916 at which time a pipe organ was installed and the Guild Hall was built. In the 1920’s a Young Men’s Club was organized with James Goodman as president under the leadership of T.J.Byrns.

The Girl’s Friendly Society and the Boys Club were organized at this time also. The Episcopal church has had approximately thirty Pastors, Missionaries or Vicars serving the congregation. Teh church is still standing, but the “The White House” is no more.

It burned to the ground at 2 a.m. on May 3, 1879. It had also been used as a barracks for the soldiers who were here to preserve order during the labor riots. When the Teal Lake mines opened, it was used as a boarding house for the summer.

There was a squabble among parties for the possession of the property and it is assumed that “The White House” went by the way of arson.