The sanctuary of the Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Church, the “Chippewa City Church” was festive in this Christmas photo taken in the 1890s. The church was built by Ojibwe carpenter Frank Wiskop and served as the only Catholic church in Grand Marais from 1895-1916. The final mass was conducted there on Christmas 1936. The lovely church was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985 and work to restore the building had been done, thanks to generous donations from the Grand Marais Lions Club, the Catholic Church, the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and the Minnesota Historical Society. Efforts to continue to preserve the historic piece of the past continue. If you would like to learn more about the church, or donate to its ongoing restoration, contact the Cook County Historical Society at (218) 387-2883.
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