Keweenaw County Historical Society
Caretakers of the past, stewards of the future
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The Phoenix church
(Photo: The Blessing of the Pets is an annual event at the Phoenix Church.)
(Photo: A Memorial Mass is held at the church each September.)
Hours & Admission- The Phoenix Church is open from mid-June to early October. The 2022 opening date expected is Sunday, June 19th. Hours are 8 AM - 6 PM daily. There is no admission charge for this museum, however a donation is appreciated. 2022 Events- Blessing of the Animals- Sunday, July 24, 1:30 to 3:30 pm EDT Open House-Sunday, August 21, 1 to 4 pm EDT Annual Mass-Sunday, September 4, 1:30 pm EDT Location- The church is located on US Highway 41 in Phoenix, Michigan, at the junction of M-26 to Eagle River. GPS: N 47 23.354 W 88 16.587, Decimal Degrees:47.389230, -88.27645 Related Links- | News:KCHS museum sites and cottage rentals will be open for the 2022 season. Please see the site and rental webpages for specific dates and operation information. The Keweenaw County Historical Society’s Board of Directors will follow the COVID-19 Epidemic Orders issued by the State of Michigan’s Department of Health and Human Services. These public health orders are updated as needed, so KCHS may need to change access to buildings and events. Please check back for updates. Upcoming Events:
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St. Mary’s Church was built in 1858 to serve the Catholic residents in the nearby mining community of Cliff, scene of the area’s first major copper discovery in 1844. Services continued until 1899 when the church was dismantled and reassembled in Phoenix, where it was renamed The Church of the Assumption. Masses were held until 1957, when the last service marked a century of providing spiritual guidance to mining families and their descendants.
In 1985 the Keweenaw County Historical Society took over the property and began extensive repair and restoration work. The church now appears much as it did when folks from another century knelt in prayer, a fitting memorial to one chapter of Keweenaw’s proud heritage. Although now deconsecrated, the church is still used for weddings and memorial services. 
