Suttons Bay
Michigan
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Suttons Bay Congregational Church
About Us :
Congregational means governed by the members of the congregation, a practice that goes back to the earliest Christians. Our Church history in America begins with the Pilgrims. They believed each person should be able to read and understand the Bible and that conscience, not coercion, should govern faith.
Suttons Bay Congregational Church was founded in 1896 as the only English speaking church in the community. We remain a church uniquely committed to accepting people from many different experiences and faith backgrounds. We have no creed; we celebrate our diversity. "Everyone welcome" is not just a phrase, it is our approach to worship and life. We invite you to all the services and programs of this church.
History :
Suttons Bay Congregational Church was founded in 1896 as the first English speaking church in the area. There were nine charter members. However, there were 35 children in the Sunday School. The total membership for the first four years of the church was 15!
At first, Sunday meetings were held in the school house and the congregation shared Rev. Williams Hurlbut, who was also pastor of both the Omena and Northport Congregational Churches. By 1899, the fledgling church was meeting in its own church building. During this year, membership took a gigantic leap forward when seventeen people joined the church.
The church continued to share a minister with Northport and Omena or to use part-time pastors until 1970. At that time, Reverend Fred McNeil, who had been our part time pastor in 1966-1977, became our first full time minister.
In 1993, a major remodeling of the church facility was begun, with completion a year later. During this phase, services were held in the library of the Suttons Bay High School. In 1996, our church celebrated its Centennial Year.
Congregational means governed by the members of the congregation, a practice that goes back to the earliest Christians. Our Church history in America begins with the Pilgrims. They believed each person should be able to read and understand the Bible and that conscience, not coercion, should govern faith.
Suttons Bay Congregational Church was founded in 1896 as the only English speaking church in the community. We remain a church uniquely committed to accepting people from many different experiences and faith backgrounds. We have no creed; we celebrate our diversity. "Everyone welcome" is not just a phrase, it is our approach to worship and life. We invite you to all the services and programs of this church.
History :
Suttons Bay Congregational Church was founded in 1896 as the first English speaking church in the area. There were nine charter members. However, there were 35 children in the Sunday School. The total membership for the first four years of the church was 15!
At first, Sunday meetings were held in the school house and the congregation shared Rev. Williams Hurlbut, who was also pastor of both the Omena and Northport Congregational Churches. By 1899, the fledgling church was meeting in its own church building. During this year, membership took a gigantic leap forward when seventeen people joined the church.
The church continued to share a minister with Northport and Omena or to use part-time pastors until 1970. At that time, Reverend Fred McNeil, who had been our part time pastor in 1966-1977, became our first full time minister.
In 1993, a major remodeling of the church facility was begun, with completion a year later. During this phase, services were held in the library of the Suttons Bay High School. In 1996, our church celebrated its Centennial Year.