[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 110 (Wednesday, July 24, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1354-E1355]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        STE. ANNE'S DE MICHILIMACKINAC TRICENTENNIAL CELEBRATION

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BART STUPAK

                              of Michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 24, 1996

  Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor for me to bring to the 
attention of the House and the entire Nation the tricentennial 
celebration of Ste. Anne's de Michilimackinac Church on July 26, 1996. 
Although the exact date of foundation is not known, the church has 
baptismal records dating back to 1695. The tricentennial celebration 
was delayed a year in order to wait for the completion of Fishers of 
Men, a book written by Jesuit Brother Jim Boynton of St. Ignace, MI, 
detailing the extraordinary history of Ste. Anne's de Michilimackinac.

[[Page E1355]]

  In 1670 Jesuits landed on Mackinac Island, situated between the 
Michigan's Upper and Lower Peninsulas in the Straits of Mackinac. The 
missionaries, along with members of the Huron tribe, intended to teach 
the Chippewa and Ottawa Indians the way of the Lord. However, within a 
year the Jesuits left Mackinac Island and relocated at St. Ignace, 
named for St. Ignatius Loyola. The island had proved to be 
agriculturally weak and the land to the north in the Upper Peninsula 
was perfect for growing corn. From St. Ignace the missionaries traveled 
to surrounding areas in attempt to spread the Catholic faith.
  The Jesuits became the peacekeepers of the region. In the late 1670's 
French fur traders entered the straits to buy furs from the American 
Indians. Unfortunately, the French used less than honorable tactics. It 
came to the attention of the church that the fur traders were selling 
brandy to the Indians with the intention of taking the furs, without 
paying, once the Indians got too drunk to understand what was 
happening. The Jesuits got involved and the injustices came to an end.
  The Jesuits constructed the area's first Roman Catholic church in 
1742, within the walls of Fort Michilimackinac located today in 
Mackinaw City, at the top of the Lower Peninsula. In 1761 tempers 
flared between the American Indians and the British occupying Fort 
Michilimackinac. This led to the massacre of many British fur traders 
and members of the British Army. The Jesuits were responsible for 
establishing a peaceful relationship between the Indians and surviving 
British just 1 year after the massacre occurred. This provided an 
opportunity for the British to occupy the fort once again.
  The English colony moved from Fort Michilimackinac in 1781 to prepare 
for any retribution from the American Revolution. Fort Mackinac was 
built on Mackinac Island in the same location where it stands today. 
The civilians established a town just below the walls of the fort. The 
congregation did not want to leave their church behind on the mainland. 
That winter, when the straits froze, the church was disassembled, the 
pieces dragged across the ice, and then the church was rebuilt on the 
island.
  The congregation moved their church again 1827 when Madame Magdelaine 
LaFromboise donated a large piece of land to the Church. Because of the 
many renovations which have occurred on the building over the years, 
none of the original structure remains standing. The new building has 
been renovated to look just like it did in the 1890's. Father Jim 
Williams, Ste. Anne's current pastor, made numerous beautiful 
renovations for this tricentennial celebration.
  This has been a very exciting year for Ste. Anne. Brother Jim Boynton 
completed his thesis, through his extensive studies about the history 
of Ste. Anne's, to earn his master's degree in history. His research 
has taken him from Weston Jesuit School of Theology in Cambridge, MA, 
to Quebec City, Montreal, Paris, and Rome. His research resulted in 
``Fishers of Men.'' The book is a chronicle of Catholicism coming into 
the Straits of Mackinac and the history of Ste. Anne's. Brother 
Boynton, a native of St. Ignace, will be teaching at the University of 
Detroit Jesuit High School this fall. Fortunately, he will be able to 
attend the tricentennial celebration on July 26. Father Jim Williams 
will begin the celebration with a Thanksgiving mass in the morning. The 
afternoon will include an ice cream social, and a pageant will be held 
in the evening honoring the church's builders and rebuilders.
  From primitive beginnings, like the tiny mustard seed in Mark's 
gospel (Mark 4:30-32), Ste. Anne's has grown great inviting all to find 
shelter in her branches and comfort in her shade. For over 300 years, 
Ste. Anne's has welcomed visitors and nurtured Mackinac Island, body 
and soul.
  Mr. Speaker, Ste. Anne's de Michilimackinac has a long, rich, proud 
history. Brother Boynton has been able to capture the fabulous story of 
Catholicism in northern Michigan in his book ``Fishers of Men.'' On 
behalf of northern Michigan, the Catholic Church, and the entire 
Nation, I would like to congratulate Brother Boynton, Father Jim 
Williams, and the congregation of Ste. Anne's de Michilimackinac on 301 
years of prayer and dedication.

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