Pere Marquette Memorial Shrine - Ludington, MI
Posted by: 
S5280ft
N 43° 56.502 W 086° 27.181
16T E 543896 N 4865543
Located on Lake Shore Drive on the peninsula between Lake Michigan and Pere Marquette Lake in Pere Marquette Township.
Waymark Code: WM2158
Location: Michigan, United States
Date Posted: 08/18/2007
Views: 62
The text from the monument is as follows:
Pere Jacques Marquette
Famous Jesuit Missionary-Explorer
Born at Laon, France June , 1637
Died at this site May 18, 1675
He came as a missionary to Quebec Sept. 20, 1666, learning the Indian languages and customs. In 1668 he founded the first mission at Sault Ste. Marie. Working among and Christianizing the Indians around the Straits of Mackinac. June 17, 1673, with Louis Joliet, he discovered the upper Mississippi, then the river of mystery. They explored the Mississippi south to the mouth of the Arkansas.
Endeavoring to found a mission among the Illinois Indians, he spent the winter of 1674 & ’75 on the banks of the Chicago River.
Due to impaired health, he was returning to St. Ignace via the east shore of Lake Michigan when his condition worsened and he died at this spot.
Two years later an Indian cortege came from St. Ignace, taking his remains back for burial.
Erected 1955 Pere Marquette Memorial Assn.
Dedicated July 23, 1955
Constructed upon land donated by M.F. Butters family under supervision of Martin L. Johnson with Co-operation of Marquette University, City of Ludington, Dow Chemical Co. Motyka Metal Products, Caswell-Chadwick Memorials, Boy Scouts of America, Pere Marquette Township, Wadel Construction Company, Pere Marquette Memorial Association.
Eugene Christman President
Owen J. Cavigan Vice-President
Agnes Mac Lared Secretary
Harold F. King Treasurer
Douglas A. Farley, Director
Type of cross: Latin cross
Material used: Stone (granite, sandstone, marble, ...)
Characteristics of this cross:
The cross tops a memorial base with informational plaques on two sides.
Describe the location:
The location is a high bluff peninsula that separates Ludington and Pere Marquette Lake from Lake Michigan. The height of the bluff and size of the cross make it easily visible from most of southern Ludington.
Year of manufacture: 07/23/1955
Is this cross commemorative ?: Yes
|
Visit Instructions:
Post at least one photograph of this cross.