How We Began
In 1942, Hiawatha Land Independent Missions from Grand Rapids, Michigan, had a desire to carry the Gospel to the Upper Peninsula’s wilderness. They sent Dr. Malcom Van Antwerp and his wife Emily to a little town named Munising, located on the shore of Lake Superior. Through hard work and much prayer, they shared the Gospel, held tent revival meetings, lead Sunday school in various buildings, and conducted church services in private homes. Soon the need for a church building was evident. Thus was the birth of Munising Baptist Church.
Land was purchased at the corner of Hemlock and 601 W. Superior Street. The church would be set between 2 lighthouses. What a perfect setting to represent the light of the world, Jesus. The physical work of clearing the land, making concrete blocks for the foundation, and constructing the wooden structure was completed in 1950, and MBC had its dedication celebration. Independent in 1967, after which it then became part of the General Association of Regular Baptist.
MBC’s ministries have been carried out through the perseverance of many faithful saints. Their dedication and commitment to sharing the Gospel have succeeded through tough challenges and growth. They have erected 3 church buildings, built 3 parsonages, merged with 2 churches, started a successful school, supported missions, and developed many outreach ministries.
By God’s grace, the burden for lost souls of mission-minded men lead to generations of believers who have earnestly accomplished the thriving ministries of MBC. Their motivation and inspiration is stated clearly in their mission statement “To know Christ and make Christ Known.”
Timeline
1940
In 1940 Arthur and Florence Glenn, missionaries from the Lower Peninsula, made the trek to the Upper Peninsula and paid a visit to Mr. and Mrs. Fred Kinkle, missionaries in Newberry. After sharing a meager meal of sprouted potatoes and porcupine, Glenn returned to lower Michigan and reported the need of these faithful U.P. servants to a group of Pastors from the Pontiac area. The group of pastors then formed the Hiawatha Land Baptist Missions, and was approved by the state of MI and established in 1942. This mission faithfully supported missionaries and pastors all over northern Michigan and Wisconsin.
1942
Hiawatha Land Baptist Missions had a burden to carry the Gospel to the Upper Peninsula's wilderness. They sent Dr. Malcom Van Antwerp and his wife Emily to a little town named Munising, located on the shore of Lake Superior. Through hard work and much prayer, they shared the Gospel, held tent revival meetings, lead Sunday school in various buildings (Munising Co-op & Lincoln School), and conducted church services in private homes. Soon the need for a church building was evident to this small group of believers.
1943
Munising Co-op Hall
1945
With a loan of $1,000 from the Missions, Munising Baptist Church built a church on land purchased at the corner of Hemlock and 601 W Superior Street. Church started in the basement, with a small apartment attached for the Van Antwerps. The church would be set between 2 lighthouses. The physical work of clearing the land, making concrete blocks for the foundation, and constructing the wooden structure was completed in 1950. Services were held in the basement portion of the building until the church was completed.
1946
Pastor Howard and Isabelle Brower arrived to the pulpit. They started a mid-week Bible school for the area children. Children were dropped off after school and a bus was purchased for bringing the children back to their homes. The Browers held services in Munising, Limestone and AuTrain.
1952
Munising Baptist Church school bus
1953
Pastor Hill and family served the church for a few months.
1954
Russel and Mabel French filled the pulpit. Pastor Russel was known for wearing out rugs by his bed praying for his congregation.
1954
Hemlock & Superior location.
1955
Hemlock & Superior location
1960
Church Picnic at Bay Furnace.
1963
Pastor Eugene and Ruth Eslinger arrived to serve the small Munising church. In 1963, Van Meer Baptist united with Munising Baptist Church.
1964
New school bus
1965
Sunday School Superintendent, Peter O’Neil with students that competed with other U.P. churches' Sunday School programs.
1965
Arthur ‘Bud’ LaFlamme Victory Banner, Sunday School Competition.
1965
Corner of Hemlock & Superior, over basement.
1967
Munising Baptist Church became independent from the Hiawatha Land Baptist Missions. That same year Munising Baptist Church joined the General Association of Regular Baptist.
1967
Inside view of Hemlock & Superior church
1967
Prodigal Son teen group
1968
Peter O’Neil, deacon, and family.
1968
Grandma Graves, Daughter-in-law Mrs. Roy Graves and various grandchildren.
1968
Dean and Bonnie Frederick with Rodney, Todd, Cathy and Guy. (Superior & Hemlock)
1968
Clifford and Dorothy Mitchell with Scott, Carol and Beth. (Superior & Hemlock)
1968
Pastor Marshall Reed and Vesta were called to Munising. They began the Awana program and the building of a new parsonage on Onota Street, which today is a private home. Church services were still held at the Hemlock and Superior Street location.
1973
Pastor Hocking and Lucille moved into the new parsonage on Onota Street. Pastor Hockings remarked, “MBC was the most organized church he had ever pastored.” Pastor Hocking died suddenly in 1978.
1978
Pastor Al and Georgia Dietzel arrived. Shortly after arriving the church on Hemlock & Superior had an electrical fire. There was enough damage that the church had to be torn down and eventually was rebuilt. Due to the generosity of neighboring churches, MBC continued to preach the Gospel using their church buildings.
1980
A new church building project began on the Hemlock & Superior property and was completed in 1981, with the vision of having a Christian academic school.
1982
Pastor Bill and Shirley Randolph arrived in a blizzard to serve this congregation of visionaries. After much prayer, taking a paper pledge, and receiving the $5000 needed, Munising Baptist School began. Bob and Barb Bolton were hired as educators in 1983.
1982
First day of Munising Baptist School
1984
MBC acquired the former Alger Heights Baptist Church in Wetmore (currently the Van Antwerp Ministry Center) which served as the church location. Church services moved to Wetmore while school continued at Hemlock & Superior.
1986
Pastor Tracy and Kathy Pennock were hired as Pastor and school administrator. With need for more space, MBC sold the school on Hemlock and Superior and work began on a new building. The parsonage on Onota Street was also sold.
1990
Picnic gathering at Wetmore Park.
1991-1992
Construction began next to the current Van Antwerp Ministry Center with the intention of housing both church and school. During construction teachers held school in their homes. The now Van Antwerp Ministry Center became the parsonage.
1991-1992
Construction of the new Munising Baptist Church and School.
1991-1992
Jim & Marie Chase, building and construction missionaries with Continental Baptist Missions. Jim was the lead for most of the trim and finishing work throughout the building here at MBC. Jim has since passed away.
1992
The current building was completed in 1992 and is the present home to Munising Baptist Church and School.
1994
Pastor David and Susan Whittaker were hired.
1996
Jason and Julie LaFlamme were hired as youth pastor and school administrator. Julie was hired as a teacher. Whittaker left his post as pastor and Pastor Howard Longcore and served as interim pastor.
1998
Pastor Bill and Mary Jean Rowland served.
2004
Pastor Jason LaFlamme (PJ) was hired as senior pastor and began shepherding the Munising church of believers. Growing up in Munising and as a youngster attending church at Munising Baptist, PJ has a heart for his hometown community.
2014
Currently the building known as the Van Antwerp Ministry Center evolved from a parsonage to a ministry center and serves as space for classroom, group meetings, and hosting out-of-town guests.
By God’s grace, MBC's ministries have been carried out by the perseverance of many faithful saints. Their dedication and commitment to share the Gospel have succeeded through tough challenges and growth. They have erected 3 church buildings, built 3 parsonages, merged with 2 churches, started a successful school, supported missions, and developed many outreach ministries.
Thank you to Brenda (Hank) St. Amour, Dorothy Mitchell and Scott Mitchell for your help in assembling this church history timeline.
Thank you for photos:
Alissa MacArthur
Janet Demogola
& all other photographers!