305 Portage Street

St. Ignatius Loyola Church’s origins begin with Bishop Frederick Baraga, the “Snowshoe Priest” and “Apostle of the Lakelands.” Bishop Baraga dedicated the original St. Ignatius Loyola Church on July 31, 1859 and appointed Father O’Neil as the first pastor of the original church, who served until 1860. The congregation was worshipping in a boarding house and then a school at this time before the current church was constructed. Father O’Neil was succeeded by Father Edward Jacker, who served until 1864. Sixteen priests served as pastors until 1895, when Father Anton Rezek Jr. was appointed pastor of the parish, who planned to build a new church. The current parish building was built in 1902 and Father Rezek served as its first priest. 

The church was completed with a sandstone structure and the north facade included two shorter towers on each side with a taller tower in the middle. The interior reflected a gothic style in its altar and arched, stained glass windows. The plaster ceiling with ribs enclosed the nave, transepts, and apse and beautiful ornamentation detailed the church with soft rose, gold, pink, and yellow coloration. A portico was added in 1928 to provide protection from the harsh Keweenaw weather.