• Thursday-What'sUP March 23 - 05:17 pm

If you're familiar with the background of this historical church that sits on the corner of 8th St. and Oak St. in Calumet, you already know that is was formerly known as St. Joseph's Church, and is now known as St. Paul the Apostle Church. I'm not certain as to why the name was changed along the way, so if anyone can add insight to that question, please feel free. Ed Gray captured today's image of the rising steeples with just a dusting of snow like we've been experiencing off and on lately.

Another piece of information that you may or may not be aware of pertaining to this beautiful work of architecture, is that St. Paul's is registered in the Michigan Stained Glass Census for the windows that grace the sandstone walls. Many of the Saints portrayed in those stained glass art pieces were chosen because they represent workers in dangerous professions. Quite appropriate for the mining population that abounded during the time of their installation.

morning

Perfect blue sky in that picture.

Beautiful pictures. I had the opportunity to photograph several of the old churches in Calumet last summer. They have great structure and beauty, it is amazing that some of the churches have been there since the 1800's. Calumet was a fantastic photo op, if anyone is looking for old churches.

In-spire-ing!
Makes me want to get my camera and push buttons. Not that that does me any good, but it is fun.
Very nice photo.

Twin-spire-ing is better?!

I've tried to get a good shot of 5 (I think) of the church spires from by the Armory (I think), but there are power lines in the way. I guess I could remove the power line on my computer.

I've heard from parishers of the Sacred Heart church in Laurium that the diocese plans on closing their church & have everyone go to St Paul's. It is a BEAUTIFUL old church. But it lacks the handicap accessibilities for some of its parishoners. It sounds more logical to close St Paul's & keep Sacred Heart open. Just my opinion.

My Uncle Rev. Joseph Kichak was pastor at St. Joseph's when I was a kid. I enjoyed exploring the church and "playing" a piano with my brothers in the basement. Beautiful church!!

St. Joseph's Parish was changed to St. Paul the Apostle
in the 1960's when many other Catholic Churches were
closed and all consolidated into one parish. St. Anne's
was the French Catholic church and has now become
the Heritage Center on Fifth Street. St. Mary's Church,
the Italian Catholic parish was also closed, as was St.
John's Parish on Seventh St. At the present time, there
are 5 Catholic Churchs yet in the Keweenaw (Calumet
and North) area, all being served by one priest. The
Bishop feels this is too many for one priest and has
indicated that Sacred Heart would be the easiest to
close. The decision is not final yet. We should know
soon.

Beautiful church. There is an elevator for handicap entrance.

This looks like the church built by Slovenian immigrants in the early 1900's.

Todays article in the GAZETTE tells how the area was settled by many different nationalities.. http://www.mininggazette.com/stories/articles.asp?articleID=6289

What a neat picture. They just don't built like this any more. Such style.....such class....such talent....such pride in ones work. Where have all those kinds of people gone. When you look at all the old buildings still around you have to see the quality and pride people took in their work. Such a rich history up here..it should all be preserved and enjoyed..thanks for your picture.........

God Bless.........you too ole Blue eyes...%^)

Unless I stand corrected, wasn't the St. Paul church used in a movie in the 80's or 90's? Anyone remember?

Helen,
I agree with you, those old buildings have so much character. Today buildings are driven by the dollar, and most churches cannot afford the custom elegance that are in these old buildings. Back then every part would have been custom built, now you have to basically choose your building materials from a catologue and if you want something different it is going to cost more (often a lot more). I work for a construction supplier and I have quoted 3 revisions on a church in the last 6 months because they can't quite get the price and the design to go together.

Fellow Pasty Cammers: Does anyone out there know which of the
churches in the Copper Country date back to the time of Father
Baraga? I'm interested in taking a look at some of the old Catholic
churches in the Copper Country this summer. I made it to the
mission churches in the Baraga/L'Anse regions last summer. My
goodness, there's so much to see!

Kosk, Holy Redeemer in Eagle Harbor is one of Bishop Baraga's churches. It was built in 1852.

Thanks, Ratherberiding! I will be sure to check it out this summer.