Grace Episcopal Church (Jonesville, Michigan)

Grace Episcopal Church
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Michigan State Historic Site
Church in 2006
Location	360 E. Chicago St., Jonesville, Michigan
Coordinates
Area	less than one acre
Built	1848 (1848)
Architectural style	Gothic, Greek Revival
NRHP Reference #	71000391
Significant dates
Added to NRHP	May 6, 1971
Designated MSHS	January 6, 1971

Grace Episcopal Church is a historic church at 360 East Chicago Street in Jonesville, Michigan. It was designated a Michigan State Historic Site and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971. It is one of the first church buildings constructed in Michigan west of Detroit, and is one of the few surviving examples of indigenous church architecture in the state.

History

In 1836, the Episcopal missionary William N. Lyster began preaching in Jonesville. Two years later, a parish was organized by Darius Barker. In 1844, the congregation began constructing this church; it was completed on November 15, 1848, at a cost of $3,000.

The church was moved in 1946 and attached to a schoolhouse that now serves as a parish hall. The church was deconsecrated and sold in 2007, and currently houses a coffee house.

Description

Grace Episcopal Church is a 1-1/2 story rectangular Greek Revival frame structure covered in clapboard. It has a gable roof, with a square tower projecting through the front facade. Gothic lancet windows line the sides, providing the building with a somewhat rare mix of Greek Revival and Gothic styles. Black walnut paneling lined the interior, and the pews are constructed of the same wood. A small altar, also of black walnut, is set amongst frescoes.