Remember when?
The congregation gathers outside the then-First Church of Christ, now the Balsam Street Christian Church at 320 Balsam St. in Kingsford. (Contributed photo)
A 2002 view of the Balsam Street Christian Church, formerly the Kingsford Church of Christ until it was renamed in 1988. (Contributed photo)
The congregation gathers outside the then-First Church of Christ, now the Balsam Street Christian Church at 320 Balsam St. in Kingsford. (Contributed photo)
A 2002 view of the Balsam Street Christian Church, formerly the Kingsford Church of Christ until it was renamed in 1988. (Contributed photo)
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This week's "Remember When" revisits the beginnings of Balsam Street Christian Church and its journey from a small gathering of worshippers to a longstanding congregation in the Kingsford community.
For more than a century, the church has seen many changes while remaining rooted in faith and fellowship.
As the new Ford plant was being built, a small town began to take shape south of Iron Mountain. The promise of jobs brought an influx of people seeking employment, including a group of Christians from Leaf River, Minn.
Shortly after arriving, the group joined with a like-minded congregation of Baptists, and together they began holding joint services at the original West Breitung Schoolhouse, 220 Lyman St. in the village of Kingsford. Their union marked the beginnings of what would become the First Church of Christ.
The congregation's first pastor was Roy Curliss, who served a parish of about 60 members.
Among those attending was A.J. Marshall, who was asked to take a leadership role in the combined Sunday School. Marshall was hesitant because the congregation included both Baptists and Christians. He agreed to accept the responsibility on one condition: That the two groups unite as one Church of Christ. The members agreed, and the New Testament Church was formed.
By 1925, plans were underway for a church building of their own. The congregation agreed on a design that would be simple but beautiful, without unnecessary accessories or embellishments. The original plans called for a building at a cost of $30,000.
The building committee reported in May 1926 plans for a 32-by-60-foot structure, with an estimated cost of $2,000, exclusive of the furnace and pulpit. The proposal was approved, clearing the way for construction of the new church to begin.
Construction progressed, and on the first Sunday of 1927, the congregation held services in its own building for the first time. Only the basement was ready for use at that time, however, and the church would not be formally dedicated until Oct. 30, 1938.
The early years also brought important milestones for the congregation. The first baptisms on record took place in the Menominee River in June 1926. E.C. Hedlund baptized Florence Fluke, C.A. Atkinson, Clayton McMahon, Kenneth McMahon, Martha McMahon and Mr. and Mrs. Christ Johnson.
Over the decades, the congregation continued to grow and change. In January 1988, members voted to change the church's name from Kingsford Church of Christ to Balsam Street Christian Church. The change was made to avoid confusion with several other local churches that had similar names.
That same year brought another major improvement to the church property. A groundbreaking ceremony took place in May for an expansion that added 4,220 square feet to the building at a cost of $130,000.
The expansion progressed in time for the congregation to celebrate Christmas services in the newly enlarged facility that year.
Since then, the church has undergone additional improvements, including remodeling the front of the building and updating the baptistery area and changing rooms, which had not been renovated since 1950.
Several pastors have served through the years, and today Larry Neargarth leads the congregation.
The church's 102-year history is a reminder of the people who came to the area in search of opportunity, joined together in worship and built a congregation that has remained part of the community for generations.
"Remember When" appears every Wednesday in The Daily News. Those with suggestions or historical photographs they would like to submit can email Terri Castelaz at tcastelaz@ironmountaindailynews.com.