MARQUETTE — St. John the Baptist Church in Marquette was founded by French Canadians. The cornerstone was laid for the structure on Sept 16, 1906 on the corner of Washington and Fourth Streets.

According to a history provided by the Catholic Diocese of Marquette, the building was called a “fine tribute to the generosity of its members and friends.

“Even the poorest cheerfully gave the ‘widows mite’ often depriving themselves to do so’ reports say. The excavation, foundation and laying of the floor were all done by donated labor.

The large Spanish-Renaissance style church could seat about 1,000 people. In 1905, the parish bought property on North fourth street, which was replaced by an administration building adjoining the bell tower.

Early congregates of the church were French, and many of the

The church closed permenantly in January of 1986 due to structural damage the posed a safety threat. The $250,000 needed for repairs was deemed too expensive at the time.

It was sold to a contractor who razed the structure by the end of that year.

An administration building, once the church rectory and the adjacent bell tower on Fourth Street aren’t the only remnants of the building’s existence. The stained glass window that graced the front of St. Johns hangs inside St. Michael’s Church in Marquette today.

The rectory is now an office building for O’Dovero Properties. The bell tower still stands.