The Community Presbyterian Church of Big Bay

Community Presbyterian Church of Big Bay

A History of Our Church

Judith Hansen recalled coming to Big Bay in 1912 when there were no churches. Ministers would come up from Marquette by train, conduct services and return the next day. The Rev. John Hammel, a missionary, was the most frequent minister of that era.

About 1923 resident Bertha Raymen invited a small group of women to her home to discuss plans for a church building. They called themselves the “Busy Bees”. The group began raising funds to build a church. Dinners, plays, and baked sales were organized, and held wherever space was available. By persistence and hard work they raised the first one-thousand dollars for the building fund.

Documented records begin on June 23, 1931. At this meeting the trustee’s approved plans be submitted for approval by the “Busy Bees” for a church building. By August of 1931 construction was in progress, a corner stone was purchased and lumber from Brunswick Lumber Co., in Big Bay was approved by the trustees. The following year the church requested funds from business in Marquette, sent letters to protestant families in Big Bay and worked on a request by the Missions Board for financial disclosure. In March of 1932 construction stopped for a period due to lack of funds. Even in the middle of the depression the church survived its tenuous start. By June of 1932 small bills were paid in full, larger bills were paid on, and two-hundred dollars was retained to finish the church. The insurance value of the new building was reported at seven thousand dollars.

Throughout the remainder of the 1930’s the church continued to be improved. In 1939 the building suffered damage when the school next door burned down. Shingles were scorched and repainting inside and out were required. The school donated one-hundred dollars towards the repair cost.

Some things remain the same. In October 1950 the “Harvest Dinner” menu was changed from stew to turkey. In May of 1953 the first Easter breakfast was served.

January and February 1954 Money was raised by writing all former members and friends of the church for a contribution to make the last payment on the church loan. July 1954 the mortgage was paid. A celebration mortgage burning was held in September.

The church continued throughout the next 30 years with the typical fund raisers, concern over bills and pulpit supply. As a mission church of Presbytery we did not have an installed minister. The list of ministers serving the church from 1931-2004 is a long one. The membership and attendance fluctuated, both seasonally and annually. Big Bay Community Presbyterian Church annually made their mission payment to Presbytery even though we were a mission church ourselves.

Several changes have been made to the church building over the last 20 years. The addition of ramps to both the upper and lower levels of the church for handicapped access were completed in the 1980’s. As we turned the calendar to a new century we began planning the addition and reconstruction of the church. On June 13, 2004 the new church was dedicated.

Oh how we have grown and changed. That growth continues today. The “Busy Bees” are now called “Missionary Aid”, and include men and women. We are no longer a mission church. On August 18, 2006 Rev. Carolyn Raffensperger became the first installed pastor of Community Presbyterian Church of Big Bay. We continue to grow with new members and visitors. We welcome everyone!