First Methodist Episcopal Church of Pokagon

The First Methodist Episcopal Church of Pokagon is a rectangular chapel with late Victorian details including pointed windows and stained glass panels throughout its walls. The interior contains original wooden pews that were restored as part of a major renovation project that brought the building back to good condition.

The building began in 1862 as a hop barn for local farming before being repurposed in 1876 to serve as a Methodist chapel. The structure earned national historic recognition in 2002 after more than a century of religious use.

This place became known for premiering a beloved hymn during revival meetings in the early 1900s, and visitors can still sense that musical connection when inside. The Methodist community gathered here for worship for generations, making it a center of spiritual life in the region.

The church stands on Vermont Street in Pokagon Township surrounded by quiet rural surroundings typical of this part of Michigan. A major restoration completed recently has brought the building into sound condition, making it safe and accessible for visitors.

Before becoming a church, this structure served as a hop barn and later as a storage space, showing how rural buildings were adapted for different needs over time. Its journey from farm utility to spiritual center reflects the changing character of the community.