The original St. Ignatius church building, now the "Old Mission Church," was erected in 1837 by Father Bonduel of the Diocese of Detroit. It is the oldest Catholic church building still standing in Michigan or Wisconsin, being about ten years older than the oldest existing church in the Detroit area. The Old Mission Church was abandoned as a church in 1905 when the present St. Ignatius Loyola Church was constructed. The site of the Old Mission Church is now adjacent to the historic grave of Father Marquette at Marquette Mission Park on State Street in Saint Ignace and serves as the Museum of Ojibwa Culture.

From 1837 to 1873, Saint Ignace was part of a combined pastorate with Mackinac Island. A priest alternated in residence between the two, or at times Saint Ignace was served from various other missions. In November 1873, Father Edward Jacker became the first full-time pastor at St. Ignatius Loyola Parish. Bishop Baraga (1797-1868) visited and ministered at Saint Ignace on frequent visits.

In the Catholic Church's Jubilee Year 2000, Bishop James H. Garland, Diocese of Marquette, established the "Baraga Pilgrimage" during The Holy Year to the shrines of the saintly Bishop Baraga and to "some other churches of significance to our diocese." We are pleased that St. Ignatius Loyola Church was included in that tour as a pilgrimage destination. May it continue to be a special place on your spiritual journey, a place that will enrich your life each time you are here. To all who come to pray with our St. Ignatius parish family, we say "Welcome!"

Contributed by Lynn Walters - Information from the church Website