Leaving Cross Village, south of the straits of Mackinac, young Catholic missionary Fr. Frederic Baraga canoed across Lake Michigan toward Manistique in 1832. When he arrived at Indian Lake he found that the local Native Americans had already started to build a small church. Antoine Ossawinamakee, the leader of the tribe on Indian Lake at the time of Baraga’s arrival, had been given a portion of Schoolcraft County in the wake of the War of 1812. “Their primary settlement, consisting of 10 to 12 houses, was on Indian Lake which was three miles from Manistique.” Baraga dedicated their church to the Honor of God, in the name of His Virgin Mother Mary, fulfilling a vow he made that the first church he blessed among the Native Americans would be dedicated to her name. During the summer he baptized 31 Natives. A larger church was built under his direction in 1833.

The present chapel is 18′ x 16′ in size, made from red and white pine logs. The floor is made of local limestone and the roof is made of cedar shakes. The Stations of the Cross, depicted on leather, hang on the walls of the chapel. The plans for the chapel and surrounding appurtenances were drawn by Patrick McNamara, a native of Manistique.

In the summer of 1982 the site was cleared for building. That year when school was in session, the building trades class of Manistique High School, supervised by Ted Foye, built the chapel.

The colored glass window was donated by Msgr. F. M. Scheringer, the bell by the St. Teresa Parish of Germfask, the wood carving of the Last Supper by Lionel Radolfski of Clawson, Michigan, and the stone by James A. Miller of Manistique, Michigan.

Other dwellings at the site are the oval, dome-shaped “Wigwam,” sometimes called the “Hogan,” and the “Tipi” which was used in warmer weather or for temporary use.

In 1984 a grotto was constructed in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary. A 30 foot cooper cross was erected as the latest addition to the site.

The remains of Chief Ossawinamakee, his son, and other tribal members are also on this site. The burial ground was built near the water facing west and a path from the water’s edge was always kept clear. The Indians were also buried facing west. Upon their death, their body was wrapped in very heavy birch bark, tied with basswood cord, and then placed in a shallow grave over which was placed the “Spirit House.” The houses varied in size and shape. A “Totem Stick” identified the deceased and gave any passerby pertinent information about the person. Because it was believed that the four-day journey to the “Land of Ponemah ” was filled with peace and plenty, sufficient food and drink were placed in the spirit house along with the body of the deceased person’s dog or some other friendly animal.