St. Johns Episcopal Church was decommissioned on August 17, 2011 after 117 years.
photo courtesy of Guven Witteveen
The Episcopal Diocese has offered the building to Clinton County Historical Society, and they are looking for ways to save this lovely and historic old building.
Never before has the Diocese given a church away, and this time they recognize the historic significance of the church and would like to see it saved.
According to CCH president Lynn Gregory and the Paine-Gillam-Scott Museum director Diane Carlson, at the present time there are absolutely no grants available from the Michigan Department of Historic Preservation. Michigan tax credits have been deleted. While the church is registered as a Michigan Historic Place, it might need to be listed on a Federal Registry for better chances at some other funding.
The Historical Society has been given until the end of September to to make a decision whether to proceed or refuse the building. If there are no plans in place by that time, the Diocese says that this church is destined for a salvage auction and demolition.
For more information or to help with reclamation and restoration efforts please contact Lynn Gregory LLGenie@aol.com or Diane Carlson pgsmuseum@hotmail.com.
