The cornerstone for St. Mary’s was laid on May 25, 1873. The church steeple, easily seen from US-131, stands 200 feet tall. The building itself is made of white brick with Ionia sandstone trimmings. The interior of the church looks much like it did in the late 1800’s with many of the original details left intact. Prominently featured are the pillars, capped with fleur de lis and olive leaf designs. Twenty large stained glass windows line the walls of the church, with additional windows in the sacristy, tower and entry area.

The church is in good shape, however some repairs are necessary.Owen-Ames-Kimball Co. was hired to restore the iconic bell tower, exterior walls and stone work as well as the roof. Construction is expected to be complete by the end of 2009.

Restoration Work Details Include:

• 
  
  Erection of an engineered scaffold system for access to building perimeter for tuckpointing and painting of windows, access to roof for reproofing of the shingled roof, access to Bell Tower for repairs to metal trim, ornaments and brick/stone veneer and access to Transept spire for repair for metal trim and ornaments.
  
  


• 
  
  Shingled roof to be replaced including addition of roof sheathing
  
  


• 
  
  Repair of metal trim, metal ornaments and copper gutter system.
  
  


• 
  
  Tuckpointing and cleaning of the building’s brick and stone exterior, including replacement of deteriorated brick.
  
  


• 
  
  Cleaning and painting of the wood window frames.