Jurisdiction:  Bainbridge Township Section 9

 

Established:  1852

 

Status:  Restored in 2000-2001.  BCGS Cemetery Records updated  October 24, 2011.

 

Location: The southwest corner of Hill and Bainbridge Center Roads, 1 mile west of Michigan 140 Highway (M-140).

Cemetery Governing Body:  Bainbridge Township

 

Location of Cemetery Records:  St. Paul’s United Church of Christ office

 

Size: Approximately One Acre.

 

Located south of Coloma and Watervliet, St. Paul’s Cemetery was established in 1852.  More than 50 different pioneer families are represented in the cemetery.  Burials number around 430 with an estimated 25 to 30 graves, which are unmarked.  The oldest marker is that of Christian Krieger, who died on March 4, 1853 at 70 years of age.  The cemetery covers approximately one acre and is owned by the church.  Three large pine trees mark the graves of Christian Schmidt, Margaretha Schmidt, daughter of Christian; and “a child of Pauline Schmidt” according to church records. 

In 1851 the church was known as Deutch Evangelical Lutheran; later is was called St. Paul’s Evangelical and Reformed Church; then in 1957 the name became St. Paul’s United Church of Christ.  This is the oldest church of the “German Settlement” still in existence.  The cemetery is well cared for and was the object of an extensive restoration in recent years.  Restoration was lead by Darren Schaer, Merton and Donna Dell, all members of the Church.

 

 Written By Marge (Hess) Yetzke