Historic Mission Church

Main Street (also known as Huron Street) East end of the village Our lower fee for Mission Church has been extended for the 2013 season!  Historic Mission Church is a Michigan registered Historic Site. Application Historic Mission Church Wedding Application PDF Mail completed applications and fee to: Scott Witsman Mackinac State Historic Parks Box 873, Mackinaw City, MI 49701
Fee $800  for a maximum time of two hours. The fee includes: Up to two hours of the same day for decorating, rehearsal, wedding ceremony, pictures, and clean-up. Services of a Mackinac State Historic Parks representative Reservations Reservations should be made as soon as possible.  They are made on a first come/first paid basis. Payment is required with application to hold the date. Reserve your date with Scott Witsman before sending the application and payment by contacting him at  231-436-4100.
Schedule Weddings may be scheduled at Historic Mission Church from early May through October.
Clergy Historic Mission Church has no resident or affiliated clergyman. You must make arrangements with clergy on your own.  If you don’t have a minister in mind already, view this clergy list.
Rehearsal Requests We will attempt to accommodate rehearsal requests on days prior to your wedding day.  Contact Scott Witsman to arrange your rehearsal.

3.  The church is a historic structure, not currently accessible to people with disabilities. Please consider this limitation carefully when making your plans. 

4.  The church is available by pre-arrangement for wedding ceremonies. Reservations should be made through Mackinac State Historic Parks by filling out the application provided through the link above. You can also obtain an application by contacting Scott Witsman.

5.  If floral arrangements are part of your wedding decor, flowers may arrive no earlier than 45 minutes prior to ceremony time. If you have scheduled musicians, soloist and/or an organist they are to arrive no earlier than 45 minutes prior to ceremony time. If you are working with a wedding planner, be sure they are aware of this time frame.

6.  It is the responsibility of the wedding party to designate an individual to remove flowers, wedding decorations, and other items immediately following the ceremony.  Otherwise the items will be removed and discarded by park staff one hour after the wedding. We are unable to store any items at Historic Mission Church before or after the ceremony.

Church Information

• Maximum seating is 160 people.
• A unity candle is permitted.
• There is no dressing room at the church. The restroom is very small and should be considered emergency use only.
• There are five electrical outlets.
• There are no lights in the church.
• The antique organ is part of the MSHP historical object collection and under no circumstances can be played.
• A keyboard organ is provided. The organ is located in the balcony area. 
• No pew bows. No tape or tacks of any type may be used to install decorations.
• No alcoholic beverages are permitted.
• The church bell may be rung.
• Historic Mission Church is not heated or air conditioned.
• No rice, birdseed, or similar material may be scattered inside or outside the church.

Refund Policy

• $300.00 is non-refundable under any circumstances.
• $500.00 is refundable if cancellation is received in writing 61 days or more prior to reserved date.
• $275.00 is refundable if cancellation is received in writing 31-60 days prior to reserved date.
• No portion is refundable if cancellation is made 30 days or less prior to the reserved date.

History Historic Mission Church represents the first Protestant work among the Native Americans at Mackinac and is the oldest surviving church building in Michigan. Local Evangelical Protestants built the New England style Mission Church during 1829-1830.  The church was lead by Revered William Ferry and his wife Amanda, who were missionaries with the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Mission. Fur traders Robert Stuart, Henry Schoolcraft, and their wives, as well as soldiers and colorfully clad Native Americans, shared the fiery sermons of the Reverend William Ferry, best known of the early ministers.

When the fur trade declined, the church was sold and later used for political meetings, theatrical plays, and for a few years in the mid-1870s for Catholic services while Ste. Anne's was built. The Mackinac Island State Park Commission acquired the church in 1968 and conducted considerable restoration in the mid-1980s.  In recent years, thanks to the generosity of John and Penny Bar, there has been extensive restoration to the church, including the church basement.

It's Your Day!
View this two-minute Mackinac wedding video and see the romance for yourself.

Contact
Scott Witsman
Mackinac State Historic Parks
Group Tour and Special Events Coordinator
(231) 436-4100
Box 873, Mackinaw City, MI 49701
witsmans@michigan.gov 

Learn more about Historic Mission Church, which is part of the Mackinac Island Historic Downtown Buildings.