Church History

The original "Wesleyan" congregation that eventually became the Methodist Church in Grayling formed during the period of 1878-1881. This was the first organized Christian fellowship in Crawford County, the result of mission efforts into the dense forested areas of northern Michigan. The Methodists met in tents or public places such as the school house or the Grayling Opera House. The first pastor to shepherd the young congregation was Samuel Edgecumbe. Under his leadership the first church building was erected in Grayling during the winter and spring of 1882-1883 and named First Methodist Episcopal Church of Grayling. The frame structure was erected with $1500 worth of Grade-2 lumber. Funds were raised locally and there was also a special appropriation of $135 from Conference Special Missions to assist the local church in making their commitments. The church at this time had 20 members with 60 students in the Sunday school and a staff of 12.

The congregation experienced sustained growth with pastors continuing to be assigned for one to two year terms. When John W. Taylor alias 'John, the Preacher' arrived in 1887 there were 41 members and two Sunday Schools with 140 students, but no parsonage. He remained for two whole logging seasons sharing the rigors of the northern Michigan life. At this time, Grayling lumberman Nels Michelson challenged the members to raise the money needed to pay off all indebtedness and to build a parsonage. Michelson himself donated enough money for the repair and refurbishing of the church building that included new carpeting, stained glass windows and light fixtures. The parsonage was built to the east of the church in 1889.

During the late 1890's economic conditions changed as a result of diminishing lumbering operations in the area. Both the M.E.Church and the Presbyterian congregations experienced decline in their memberships. By 1914 the Presbyterians decided to close their doors at Michigan Avenue and Chestnut to unite with the M.E. Church.

As a "reorganized church" the Methodist church took on new life and it became necessary to build a new brick building. Construction began in September 1917 during Pastor Aaron Mitchell's tenure. A gift of $25,000 from benefactor Nels Michelson enabled the congregation to proceed with their dream of a new church building. The building was erected on the site of the old wood church with that structure being attached to the rear of the new building and used for Sunday School purposes. The new church was dedicated on December 8, 1918 and renamed Michelson Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church in memory of Margrethe Jensen Mickelson wife of Nels Mickelson. 

The Michelson family name change occurred when a clerk for his lumber mill ordered business stationary with the name Mickelson misspelled. It has been spelled Michelson since then; now for over 100 years.

During the Spanish flu epidemic of 1918-1919 the church building was used as a hospital for the community.

Five years after it was dedicated the new church building was destroyed by a fire on November 14, 1923. The cause was thought to be a defective furnace blower. The church building and adjacent parsonage were a total loss. Insurance covered only about half of the needed costs to reconstruct the church leaving the church leaders wondering how they would be able to replace it.

 Once again Nels Michelson, now retired and living in Detroit, came to the aid of the Grayling Methodists. After being informed of the loss Mr. Michelson wired back instructions to begin rebuilding at once. Work was begun in July of 1924. The church was completed and was dedicated on March 14, 1925. The Danish Lutheran people of Grayling let the Methodist congregation use Danebod Hall for their religious services during that time.

Michelson Methodist Church grew to 193 members in 1926. A new parsonage located at 604 Michigan Avenue was purchased in 1928 and subsequently replaced with the current parsonage on Barbara Street in 1966.

Through the years there have been periods of growth and periods of decline. When R.C. Puffer was assigned as pastor in 1946 the church had less than 100 members on the rolls. Fifteen years later the membership had increased to over 500. The church underwent an extensive remodeling in 1948 and in 1958 ground was broken for an education addition that was consecrated on May 24, 1959.

On May 3, 1977 another fire burned the sanctuary and bell tower and caused extensive smoke damage throughout the building. The church was repaired and re-consecrated on October 16, 1977, only 5 months after the fire.

Michelson Church experienced many ups and downs during the tenures of the pastors that served in Grayling. It wasn't until 1995 under the direction of Doug Paterson that "Michelson Alive in '95" started the ground work for another successful addition and renovation of the church facility. This consisted of a new large narthex for welcoming and gathering, installation of an elevator for access to all areas of the church, renovation of the kitchen, complete electrical rewiring, and a new heating system.

Michelson has been faithful for over 130 years in preaching the Gospel and nurturing the community. It has been a beacon of hope to the community of Grayling and the surrounding areas. The current membership at Michelson is about 400 members and offers many opportunities for service and worship for all.

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