churchhistory

The History of Eastport Baptist Church

In the late 1800’s, Eastport was a very active little village with at least three churches, a public school, Grange &
Macabee Hall, and located on beautiful Torch Lake which was named Was-Wa-Gan by the Indians meaning “Lake of
the Torches. It was named for the many torch lights on the canoes used for spearing fish at night. Sidewalks were on
each side of the main street with people walking to the grocery store, drug store, hardware, post office, stagecoach
stop and two hotels or blacksmith shops. There were at least four mills, one saloon, and a doctor who also pulled
teeth when necessary and later a meat market and funeral parlor.

In 1884, according to the old records, a small dedicated group of fourteen people joined together to organize the First
Baptist Church of Eastport (present Eastport Baptist Church). It was in July when Mrs. John Pearl, Frankie Smith,
Hattie Hadcock, Milton Robinson, Mary Robinson, William Olmstead, Armanda Olmstead, Alice Olmstead, Hannah
Salsbury, W. L. Chamberlin, and Mattie Chamberlin came together to form a church. In 1890, the Baptist and
Congregational Churches worshipped together calling a pastor from first one denomination and then the other.

From April 1892 to Oct. 1894, the congregation called Pastor Henry Mellon. The first business meeting on record
was July 4, 1884, with 10 members present. In 1893, revival meetings were held and many were saved and baptized
in Torch Lake. Mr. Dwight Arnold joined in 1894 and was the first young people’s leader.

From Oct. 1896 to Nov. 1898, the congregation called Robert Wilkinson. The Michigan State Baptist Convention
agreed to pay his salary of $150 per year. Twenty-nine members were present at this meeting. In 1897, Mr. and Mrs.
Thomas Guyer and Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Guyer joined the church. On Nov. 5, 1898, the church rented a
parsonage for $2.00 per month, bought the John Pearl Store building for $3.00 per month and bought 7 dozen folding
chairs. At this time, Albert Snitzler, Abe and Hannah Arnold (Grandparents of Jackie Watson) joined the church.

From Dec. 1898 to May 1900, the congregation called Pastor McGrath. In 1899 the church took a mortgage on 1
acre of land on East Torch Lake Drive from Mary E. Williams for $166 and with the community’s help built a
parsonage, which was also used for church services (this is Hattie Arnold’s house).

From Feb. 1902 to Sept. 1908, the congregation called Herbert Gould. In 1903, the mortgage to Mrs. Williams was
paid off and Mrs. James Arnold joined the church. In 1906, Pastor Gould preached in Torch Lake Village as well as
Eastport. The Ladies Aid Society voted to give 5 cents per member for the pastor’s support. Grace Hooper joined
around this time and served faithfully for many years.

From Sept. 1908 to April 1911, the congregation called Wilber Knight. In 1909, the church ordained Pastor Knight.
From 1912-1919, the Baptist and Congregational churches worshipped together again meeting at the Baptist
Church. Few records were kept during this period but the church continued. The building was sold to Frank Hooper,
son of Pastor Hooper for $1500 and the congregation bought a lot from Thomas Kirby for a new church for $200.
Meetings were held at the school where the parsonage now stands. The Guyer’s house burned down at this time
along with many church papers. A bill of sale for the Alden Church was received from the Michigan Baptist
Convention and Fred Brooks was contracted to move the church building from Alden to the present sight. At this
time, Eastport Baptist became an outstation from the Charlevoix Baptist Church. Pastors Rouch, Jackson, Cruthers,
and Peterson ministered. In 1948, the church voted to be independent from Charlevoix and bought the property
behind the church from Mr. Sweet.

It was also at this time that Milford and Marian Tyrrell joined the church. Without their dedication and hard work, the
church would not have survived. A few years later Maude Ayotte and Hattie Arnold joined the church. Maude started
accompanying on the piano and organ and both of them worked in the Missionary Society and later in the Awana.

From Jan. 1949 to Aug. 1949, the congregation called Clare Gleason. A parsonage fund was started. It was voted to
heat the church with coal. The average attendance for the year was 46. With his enthusiasm and youth, the church
began to grow and around this time Alma and Bill Armstrong joined the church.

From Nov. 1949 to May 1950, the congregation called John Brubaker. The pastor was ordained at the church.
Maude Tyrrell, Loreta Wiltse, Effie Powell, Sadie Brooks, Anna Smith, Ken and Jackie Watson were taken into the
membership. The church separated from the American Baptist Convention.

From Sept. 1950 to Dec. 1957, the congregation called Al Northrup. The church was remodeled and the Hooper
house was purchased for the parsonage. It was voted to have a 15 minute radio program. The balcony and cry room
were built and the parking lot was completed. The Brady’s, Carpenter’s, Dessie, Chuck and Shirley Farrell, Grace
Dawson, and Joe and Velma Powell joined the church. The congregation also joined the Northland Fellowship
(GARBC). A new church organ and pews were bought, and one side of the auditorium was built at that time.

From May 1958 to May 1963, the congregation called Paul Bone. It was voted to canvas the Elk Rapids area to start
a church there. Some repairs and updating were done on the church. The Bones were the first family to live in the
new parsonage.

From Dec. 1963 to Dec. 1966, the congregation called Bob White. The Meadowbrook Program was started and it
was voted to support Paul Glick in Elk Rapids. From Feb. 1967 to Sept. 1968, the congregation called Jim Downey.
Several people were saved during this time and joined the church. From Dec. 1968 to Aug. 1973, the congregation
called John Bell. There were new members added at this time. The garage for the parsonage was built and the new
kitchen was built in the church.

From March 1974 to June 1975, the congregation called Jim Seifert. The church changed its name to Eastport
Baptist Church. The Awana Club was started at this time. George and Jean Wilson gave the gift of a new organ. In
April 1976 to June 1981, the congregation called Don Reidel. The church ordained him. The church voted to build
the gym for Awana activities.

In May 1982 to 1990, the congregation called Pastor John Gillette. A co-op program through Central Lake Public
Schools was started in religion, which developed into a Committee for Youth Guidance and Health through the school
and the court. A pastoral counseling ministry resulted in the assisting of the establishment of the Northern Michigan
Christian Conciliation Service. A community-wide church Christmas cantata was started and Music Library. The
Northwest Antrim County Ministerial Association was formed which is a fellowship of evangelical pastors. A new
constitution was prepared and printed. Several souls have been saved and baptized and some have joined the
church. A memorial fund was set up for stained glass windows and the front windows were installed. The baptismal
was installed and the balance of the loan for the Awana building was paid off.

Pastor Jerry Mack served the church from 1992 to 1996. During his ministry the church purchased a Baldwin organ
and installed a handicap ramp.

In Nov. 1997, Pastor Jerry Troyer was called to the ministry here at Eastport. The Lord has blessed the church and a
number of families were saved and joined the church. The church auditorium was remodeled in 2002, making it
possible to add more pews to accommodate more in the auditorium. A new parking lot and church sign was made in
2004 to accommodate the growth with a new front entrance and steps. The garage at the parsonage was remodeled
for the youth to use in 2006. In July of 2006, Pastor Dave Furst was added to the staff as a full time Children and
Youth Pastor. Dave Ray gave a gift for a new organ which was installed in 2007. Pastor Furst accepted another call
at the beginning of 2008.

In all these things God receives the glory for the great things He has done; and of course He is not finished with us
yet. Until the Lord returns we look forward to all that He has in store for us in the days ahead.