Central Mine Church

Central Mine Church A church that comes alive one Sunday a year to celebrate the heritage of a mining community in Mich. Curtis who was attached to the Portage Lake Missions.

History of our Church

Central's residents were justly proud of its church. Long before a church was built, as early as 1856, worship services were being conducted in the schoolhouse on the east side of town. Those first services were conducted by the Reverend David A. Construction of a church was begun in 1868, and when it was occupied the following year it became the major focal point of religio

us and social life in the community for all who were members of it and for many who were not. It became a community center in the true sense of the word and offered many services to the townspeople such as planning the Forth of July picnic for everyone, maintaining a circulating library and sponsoring programs at the school hall which were open to the public. Prior to the building of the new school on top fob the bluff, the Central church provided space for public school classes to be held to accommodate the overflow from the original schoolhouse. It was inevitable that there should be a close feeling among the former residents of Central, who were forced to relocated in other parts of the Copper Country following the closing of the mine in 1898. The opening of the Keweenaw Central Railroad in January, 1907, provided an opportunity for the old-timers to have a "homecoming." Alfred Nicholls is credited with having conceived the idea, and he enlisted the aid of Edward J. Hall and Thomas E. Mitchell. After it had been determined that there was sufficient interest, plans were laid by these three old Centralites, and the first reunion was held on July 21, 1907, with both a morning and an evening service. However, after the second year, the evening service was discontinued in order to enable those in attendance to enjoy meeting and reminiscing with their former neighbors and friends and still board the early train for home.

This Easter morning wakes slowly... snow and ice continueing to pile deep... as if winter has forgotten... that its time...
04/05/2026

This Easter morning wakes slowly... snow and ice continueing to pile deep... as if winter has forgotten... that its time... past time... to go...

And up on the bluff...
the little church at Central quietly stands guard... the way it always has... steady... weather worn... but still holding vigil... over the town... where her families once lived...

And although her pine pews... to our eyes at least... may seem empty... the howl of the wind... and the swaying of the branches outside... are in sharp contrast... to the deep stillness... the quiet calm... found within... almost a sigh... a long wooden hush...
of a place that remembers...
more than it says...

But this place…
this place does remember... the importance...and meaning... of Easter morning...

Memories of Cornish voices... rumbling baritones... as deep as the mine itself... tenors altos sopranos... lifting the hymns up toward the heavens...
miners dressed in their Sunday best... mothers and children... sporting Easter bonnets... new shoes and ribbons... the vocals playfully rising... shaking the dust from the rafters... in songs of Easter grace...

It remembers the men...
who came to grass... from the deep dark shafts... the weeks work... no matter how hard they scrubbed... stubbornly clinging to their skin.... straightening their backs... as they crossed the threshold... for the very act of entering... lightened the load they all carried...

It remembers the women... hands red and chapped... from the never ending mountain of daily chores...
shawls pulled tight...
cheeks pink from the cold...
bringing whatever flowers
could be coaxed... from coffee tins set on the kitchen sills...
lilies... tulips... a dash of color...
to warm the long Keweenaw winter....

It remembers the children...
whispering in Cornish lilt...
swinging their legs... patiently
waiting... for the organ to strike the first chord...

And then...
the singing...

Oh... the singing...

For... no more musical a people than the Cornish... can be found on an Easter morn...

Rising like a tide...
full and fierce...
lifting the roof...
trembling the windows...
rolling out across the bluff...
until even the tall pines high up on the cliffs... seemed to lean in....

But today...
the only hymn to be heard... is the wind... threading through the eaves...

Today... the choir is quiet... at least to our ears...
For this morning... the pews sit empty... waiting... for someone who hasn’t yet arrived...

But the little church is far from empty...

Not ever....

Because within her walls... her collection of memories await...
steady...
faithful...
unfading....

And if you stand still...
long enough...
quiet enough...
you feel them...
the miners...
the mothers...
the children...
settling back into their places... their backs straight against the pews...
as if the Easter mornings...
never ended... and maybe... just maybe... they never have....

For the spirit of the little church on the bluff... is a living memory...

Still keeping its vigil...
keeping its promise...
to all who once... and still do... sing here...
and all who still value... the memories... that are worth remembering...

Happiest of Easter mornings from the Central Mine Methodist Church...

Each year... when we open our doors for the Annual Central Mine Reunion... those who take care of her are reminded... th...
03/09/2026

Each year... when we open our doors for the Annual Central Mine Reunion... those who take care of her are reminded... that it is more than an empty... simple ghost town building... for the little Church on the bluff is a living family... a historical... but all too human tale... written across the generations... an inspiration for us all... to cherish and to love...

And that is why... with the hint of a Keweenaw spring in the air... we especially continue to lift up our thoughts... for our Pastor... and dear friend... Larry Molloy... who is recovering from a severe stroke.

Though he cannot be with us in the way he (or we)wish... with the latest update... his spirit and determination remains as strong as ever... and knowing Larry... is deeply thankful for the incredible outpouring of love and prayers... from his Central Mine Family and Friends...

As the old Central Mine townsfolk... once met hardships unimaginable to us... with a united... shared strength... anchored in this little church... we now offer him the same... inspiring him forward... with our hopes... lifting him with our prayers... and steadying him... with the quiet assurance... that he is held tight and cherished deeply... by his Central Mine family...

Larry... we miss you... and look forward to your recovery and your ever present... strength and inspiration... God Bless!

🎄 A Christmas Message from Central Mine Church 🎄Deep in the heart of the Keweenaw... where the snows settle deep and the...
12/25/2025

🎄 A Christmas Message from Central Mine Church 🎄

Deep in the heart of the Keweenaw... where the snows settle deep and the pines endlessly whisper of times long past... the little church on the bluff still stands... most quietly these days... with just the squeaks of church mice for company... but within its walls... the generations of memories made here... are never forgotten.

For in its happiest of times... this sanctuary rang with laughter... carols and hymns... and the joyful chaos of Christmases past... as the community came together to celebrate..."the most wonderful time of the year"...

Anxious children... of every variation imaginable... once filled these pews... eyeing the harmonicas... dolls... and brass horns among the many socks... suspenders... and hair ribbons... their eyes wide with wonder and anticipation as the gifts dangled from clotheslines stretched across the room... eagerly waiting for Santa Claus to arrive...

And although oranges and peppermint sticks may have been the staple... year after year... it was the spirit of giving... of community... of caring for everyone... even for those without... that never wore thin... passing the spirit of Christmas... of Central Mine... on and on...

On this Christmas morn... though the mine whistle has been silent over a century... and the town has all but faded... where most just see empty cellar holes and crumbling foundations... the memory of those celebrations... and the caring spirit of a pioneering community made of far flung immigrants... is what endures...

They remind us... the spirit of Christmases are not measured by abundance... but by intentions... for the Central Mine Church gifts... the very ones hanging above the waiting children's heads... were a tangible symbol not of their parents pocketbooks... but of the empathy and love of the entire Central Mine community.

Door to door...trudging through the snow... the donations were collected... just what could be afforded and nothing more... for the Christmas committee of six... upheld the most scared of Central Mine traditions... gathering in secret after store hours... to choose Christmas gifts for Every Central Mine child... their work was not for recognition... since time has erased their names... but out of an enduring love for their friends... neighbors... and the entire town.

As we gather in our own ways this holiday season...
whether in bustling homes... or in quiet reflection... may we carry forward that Christmas legacy.

Let us honor those of Central Mine past... remembering that peace begins with understanding... kindling the fires of hope and kindness... reminding us of who we are... and still should be....

The Central Mine Church may be a ghost of its former self... but its Christmas message is alive and well... in every descendent and friends act of kindness... or fellowship in shared songs and carols... and most importantly... in every child’s laughter and wonder of the magic of the Christmas season...

Merry Christmas from the heart of the Keweenaw... the Central Mine Methodist Church...

May your heart be warm...your spirit light... and your fellowship ever enduring as the spirit of the little church on the bluff...

10/26/2025

In honor of David Thomas .... Central Mine Church's long time executive board member...who passed away yesterday...

The bells rang... and echoed up and down the bluff... for David and his family...

Today the Central Mine Church bells rang... as we honored the life and legacy of Dave Thomas... a devoted member of the ...
10/26/2025

Today the Central Mine Church bells rang... as we honored the life and legacy of Dave Thomas... a devoted member of the Central Mine Church Executive Board... a quiet guardian of history... whose hands and heart helped preserve this sacred place... we all cherish and love...

Through the years... Dave worked tirelessly to keep the church in good repair... ensuring that each summer... its doors could open once more for the Central Mine Reunion... but his care was more than maintenance... it was a labor of love... a tribute to the generations who came before... and a gift to those yet to come...

Because of his dedication... the spirit of Central Mine lives on... not just in the timbers and pews... but in the hymns sung... the stories shared... and the fellowship rekindled each year... as the Central Mine Family gathers once again...

May we carry forward Dave's example of passionate stewardship... love of history and community... and may his memory be a blessing to all who walk through these doors...

Godspeed Dave... your presence will be sorely missed... and our heartfelt condolences to the entire Thomas family...

Our thoughts and prays are with Central Mine's beloved minister Larry Molloy and his family this morning.While Larry's r...
09/07/2025

Our thoughts and prays are with Central Mine's beloved minister Larry Molloy and his family this morning.

While Larry's road to recovery will take time...we are told Larry is receiving excellent care... surrounded by the unconditional love, faith, and fellowship of family and friends...the same qualities that Larry has selflessly given all of us in our own times of need.

Please keep Larry and his family in your prayers as he recovers.

Whether you are stepping through those tall front doors for your very first time...or your hundreth...in ways that make ...
07/26/2025

Whether you are stepping through those tall front doors for your very first time...or your hundreth...in ways that make it difficult to find the words to describe...the little church on the bluff...the Central Mine Methodist church...makes you feel welcome and part of her family...

The pews have been dusted, the floors swept...and the windows made to sparkle...as the Central Mine Church prepares for her annual reunion services this sunday (July 27)...welcoming friends and family...eagerly waiting for the names of her long past congregation to be mentioned once more within her walls...and for the Diadem's crowning refrain to shake loose the past years dust from her rafters...as another chapter...the 119th Central Mine Reunion is set to begin...

Please join us... either in person at 9:00am or 11:00am...or virtually for the 9 am service...to be part of history...a time for reflection, rememberence, and fellowship...as the Central Mine Methodist Church brings life back to the ghost town of Central... a place so special...that we continue to celebrate...119 years after the first Central Homecoming.

We look forward to seeing everyone there!

This year...time really has flown...and although the last snowbanks seemed to have just melted away a few weeks ago...be...
07/21/2025

This year...time really has flown...and although the last snowbanks seemed to have just melted away a few weeks ago...before we know it...the Central Mine Reunion will be here...on the last Sunday of this month (July 27th)...as it has for the last 119 years...

Please join us...as the little church on the bluff...the 1868 Central Mine Methodist Church...opens its doors...a special occasion that happens just once a year...to welcome the descendants, families, and friends for two services (9 and 11 am) of fellowship, friendship, and rememberance...with the 9am service livestreamed on our page...




The little church holds so many memories...of those she still holds dear...generations of Satterlees...Bryants...Nichols...
04/20/2025

The little church holds so many memories...of those she still holds dear...generations of Satterlees...Bryants...Nichols...families who once filled her well worn pine pews...Broads... Chins... Roberts...with decades of community fellowship...laughter...and tears... Jilberts...M'Carty... Bouva...and many more too numerous to mention...but now only she remembers their names...

Today...on this Easter Sunday...please join the Central Mine Methodist Church...the little church on the bluff...in remembering those who celebrated here before...and whose legacy of love...continues on...

With candlelight spilling from every window...illuminating the old church...the light from the simple flames...keeping t...
01/03/2025

With candlelight spilling from every window...illuminating the old church...the light from the simple flames...keeping the heart...and spirit of Central Mine alive and beating...as if her families and friends...and over a century of years...had never drifted away...

Good night from the ghost town of Central Mine...where the little church on the bluff...still shines bright...even if no one is there to see...

For those adventurous types...the candles turn on every night around dusk...and will remain lit for 4 or 5 hours...till the batteries run out sometime in February...



Memories of Christmases from long...long ago...still warm these old church walls...and although the pews have set empty....
12/25/2024

Memories of Christmases from long...long ago...still warm these old church walls...and although the pews have set empty...for far longer than they were ever filled...the enduring love and eternal fellowship of those hearty pioneers has carried on...and still rings true... for this modern world of ours...

The Merriest of Christmases and the Happiest of New Years for all that keep the spirit of Central Mine alive and well!!

Address

Stagecoach Road
Mohawk, MI
49950

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Central Mine Church posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Place Of Worship

Send a message to Central Mine Church:

Shortcuts

Share