Pat Dishaw of the Mansfield Memories Committee puts the finishing touches on the balsam Christmas tree at the Mansfield Pioneer Church in 2022. The annual Christmas service will be 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9. (Contributed photo)

CRYSTAL FALLS — The Mansfield Pioneer Church will host its annual ecumenical Christmas service at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9.

The Rev. Vicky Prewitt, pastor of Christ United Methodist Church Crystal Falls, will officiate the service. 

The group has hosted the Christmas service in the historic log church since the 1980s and many attendees have commented that it makes their Christmas season extra special.

The church doesn’t have electricity, so the oil lamps and luminaries, along with the old pump organ, are reminiscent of a time long gone by.

Everyone is encouraged to sing along with the traditional carols and a written program for the evening is provided.

The committee extends an open invitation to anyone who wishes to attend and hopes they will stay for fellowship and lunch to follow the service.

There is no admission fee, but a free-will offering will be taken to help with expenses.

Each year, hundreds of people visit this unique log church that is a replica of the only church Mansfield has known in its 135-year history. The church is listed as a site on Iron County’s Heritage Trail and is near the Michigamme River in the “Old Mansfield” location.

Directions to this historical landmark are to turn off of M-69 onto the Mansfield Cutoff Road, approximately 4 miles east of Crystal Falls and about 6 miles west of Sagola, then go to the fork in the road and veer left onto Stream Road. The church can be viewed from the road one-half mile later.

Parking is available on the lawn or roadway. It is recommended to bring a flashlight or phone light, as there is no street lighting. 

Mansfield Memories is a 501(c)(3) organization and donations are always appreciated to continue to operate this church. Donations can be mailed to Sharon Nickels, Treasurer, 257 Wright Road, Crystal Falls, MI 49920. Receipts are available.

For more information, contact Shirley Dishaw Beck at 906-367-0972 or Sharon Nickels at 906-875-6098.