The History of the Baraga House
The First Church of Marquette
Built in 1857 behind the present-day St. Peter Cathedral, the “Baraga House” was actually the first Catholic church in Marquette. Mass was said on the first floor and the pastoral residence was on the second floor. The exterior was originally white-painted clapboard siding. In 1864, Bishop Baraga laid the cornerstone for the new cathedral, which was completed in 1866.
< Pictured- present day St. Peter Cathedral located in Marquette, MI.
The Home of Bishop Baraga
In 1866, when the headquarters of the Catholic Diocese of the Upper Peninsula was transferred to Marquette from Sault Ste. Marie the building truly became the “Baraga House” when Bishop Baraga moved in and created his residence. Baraga was a minimalist and did not want additional money spent on comforts for him. He spent most of his time by the wood stove which was the only heat source in the building. He slept on a rustic, simple cot or sometimes directly on the floor.
Moving the house
In late 1872, the building was moved a second time to its present location at 615 S. Fourth Street. The house was attached to an existing building on the property. A sandstone brick was added to the exterior. Minor changes were made to the interior room arrangement. Both the interior Italianate decor and the external brick are considered historic. It became a private residence to the Fleury Family in 1909. It remained in the Fleury family for nearly 80 years until its purchase by the Diocese of Marquette from the Estate of Wilfred Fleury in 1988.
Restoration and Preservation
Severe water damage in the addition threatened to damage the main Baraga House. In 2017, the restoration process began to restore the house to its original glory. The bones of the house were still strong and the original floors from both Baraga and Fleury times are still being walked on today. Newspaper was found in the walls, likely to be used for insulation. Red wax from Baraga’s letter seals was also found and is considered a historic gem today.
A New Name
The Baraga House officially became the Baraga Educational Center and Museum and opened its doors in August 2018. Today the center is open to the public and serves as a museum, preserving the artifacts and tools used by Bishop Baraga during his ministry and telling the story of the man, the priest, and the Bishop as he ministered throughout the Great Lakes Region. In 2019, Prayer Gardens and a Votive House were added to the grounds.
