Accurate Reconstruction of 18th century church a top priority

Can 21st-century professionals accurately reconstruct an entire village of 18th-century buildings when, in 1781, they were disassembled or burned to the ground? At Mackinac State Historic Parks (MSHP), the answer is a resounding ''YES!'' And, it's taking place right now. Thirteen buildings within Colonial Michilimackinac, a fort and fur trading village originally constructed by the French in 1715, have been reconstructed based on ongoing archaeological excavations, accounting for 40 percent of the structures that were once housed inside the palisade walls. Every aspect of the buildings?from their ground locations to the construction materials to the period furnishings?have been thoroughly researched, including the Church of Ste. Anne de Michilimackinac. The Roman Catholic church was originally reconstructed in 1964 but since that time, professional staff has become aware of inaccuracies in the church interior. After extensive research, which resulted in a 268-page report, In the Grace of Trent: The Material Culture of the Roman Catholic Church at Michilimackinac, 1743-1781 by historian Lewis Crusoe, recommendations were made. Based on Crusoe's report, Steve Brisson, MSHP chief curator, wrote a furnishing plan, recommending over 20 changes or additions to the church interior. MSHP is following through with these many changes, the most recent renovation project focusing on the east and west interior gables. ''This work is part of a multi-year project based on new research that allows us to more accurately portray the interior of this 18th-century church,'' said MSHP Director Phil Porter. On March 16, MSHP carpenters Scott Thompson and Gerald Vieau began the restoration process by milling the materials to be used in the construction of a fixed-sash window, frame and casing for the west gable, and paneling and staining of each gable. ''The skill level of our staff never ceases to amaze me,'' said MSHP Mackinaw City Park Operations Manager Mike Sutton. ''The ability to take the raw materials and have the end product come out the way it does is remarkable. Not only are the gable ends better weatherized but the overall quality and appearance is such an upgrade to the entire structure.'' Many other changes have already been incorporated into the church. The altar, installed in September 2009, was the most detailed project. Every aspect of the altar was researched and then hand-carved in white pine by MSHP Exhibit Designer David Kronberg. Portions of it were gilded by MSHP Conservator Jennifer Lis, who also painted an extensive mural for the altar front. ''Research has told us that the church interior was too simple and contained errors,'' Brisson said. ''We didn't recreate the altar in order to make it more elaborate. We recreated it to make it correct.'' A baptismal font was another major element of the refurbishing plan. Hand-carved by Kronberg, it was installed in 2005. According to Crusoe's report, the Register of Interments Records of Ste. Anne shows that 15-month-old Marie Anne Coussante Ainsse, daughter of Joseph Ainsse, who built the 1741 Church of Ste. Anne, was the first person buried under the new church ''under the holy water font'' on August 11, 1743. The records also note that in 1748, eight-day-old Jacques Dumay was ''buried in the church near the little Ainsse girl.'' Skeletal remains of two children buried beside each other were found during the early 1960's church excavations. Their ages are consistent with the children in the register, which notes their burials near the font. This is proof of a baptismal font, and solidifies its location at the north side of the nave. Crusoe researched the ornamentation of font design, which he concluded was a basic basin-on-a-pedestal-type design. Many other key elements of the refurbishing plan have been implemented. The fixed pews in the church were removed and replaced with movable benches and chairs, the Stations of the Cross were removed, a confessional was carved, and a banc d'oeuvre (church warden's pew), priest's arm chair, and credence cabinet were installed. The rounded sanctuary wall was removed, and the communion rail and sanctuary platform were moved five feet to the east. ''We have an obligation to history and our visitors to present all exhibits, restorations, and programs as accurately as possible,'' Brisson said. The Parish of Ste. Anne traces its origin to the Mission of St. Ignace, established by Father Marquette on the north side of the straits in 1671. Briefly abandoned at the beginning of the 18th century, it was reestablished at the Michilimackinac location in 1715. By the 1740s the mission moved to L'Arbre Croche, but the Jesuits continued to maintain a parish church at the fort, which was renamed Ste. Anne. A new church building was constructed at this time. This structure was the first building moved to Mackinac Island in 1780 during the fort's relocation. The parish on Mackinac Island is still alive today. Mackinac State Historic Parks, a family of living history museums and parks in northern Michigan's Straits of Mackinac, is an agency within the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Its sites?which are accredited by the American Association of Museums?include Fort Mackinac, Mackinac Island State Park, Historic Downtown, and The Richard & Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum on Mackinac Island, and Colonial Michilimackinac, Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse and Historic Mill Creek Discovery Park in Mackinaw City. Mackinac State Historic Parks is governed by the Mackinac Island State Park Commission, established in 1895 to protect, preserve and present the parks' rich historic and natural resources for the education and recreation of future generations. Visitor information is available at 231-436-4100 or on the web at www.MackinacParks.com. Copyright © 2011 State of Michigan Published: Mon, Apr 11, 2011