Celebration for 70th anniversary of St. Mary of the Lake Catholic Church in Culver

Thursday, August 14, 2025 at 4:42 AM

By Kathy Bottorff

The community is invited to celebrate the rich legacy of St. Mary of the Lake Catholic Church in Culver -- as well as recognition of its longest-active parishioners -- on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the dedication of the current building in 1955.

The event will take place on August 28, at 6 p.m. in the parish hall in the lower level of the church, located at 124 College Avenue in Culver.

As part of the celebration, local historian and parishioner Jeff Kenney, will present a PowerPoint history of Catholicism in the Culver area, beginning with the Potawatomi missions establishing the first church in all of Marshall County, and continuing to the first St. Mary of the Lake, built in 1897 and the evolution of the parish to its current home today, including its close relationship with Culver Academies, the town of Culver, and the Lake Maxinkuckee community.

The event's "Dedication Day" theme centers on the current church building's dedication on August 28, 1955, just over a year after the cornerstone was laid. It replaced a Quonset hut structure on the same site that burned to the ground in 1954. The funding and support for the beautiful brick building of today were a community endeavor that crossed the boundaries of affiliation and affinity.

Refreshments will be served.