Gordon Lightfoot has a special place in Michigan, and Great Lakes lore. The Canadian-born singer/songwriter had some amazing stories told through music. But obviously, one was more famous than the other - The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.

Lightfoot Died on May 1st, and many have been paying tribute to him in as many ways as they could think. But one very special church in Detroit did something that will tug at your heart strings.

Get our free mobile app

In Gordon Lightfoot's song "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald," he highlights the courage, and bravery of the men on board that day of the ship's sinking. All 29 members of the crew died on November 10, 1975, and Gordon was so enamored with the story when he read about it, he put it to music.

The song is a reminder of the brave souls that sail on the Great Lakes every year. The six-and-a-half minute song concludes with a verse highlighting a church in Detroit.

"In a musty old hall in Detroit they prayed,
In the Maritime Sailors Cathedral,
The church bell chimed, 'til it rang 29 times,
For each man on the Edmund Fitzgerald"

That "Musty Hall" is indeed the Mariners Church in Detroit, which is more than 175 years old. Also mentioned in the song, following the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald, the church rang its bell 29 times for each member of the crews.

On May 2nd, 2023, after hearing of the passing of Gordon Lightfoot, the bell was rung again for the Edmund Fitzgerald, but this time, it rang 30 times - an extra bell toll for Lightfoot.

20 Michigan Shipwrecks You Can See with Google Earth

Michigan's waters are the final resting place for a LOT of ships. Here are at least 20 you can see with Google Earth

Barge 129 Shipwreck Discovered in Lake Superior After 120 Years

Barge 129 went down in Lake Superior off the coast of Michigan's Upper Peninsula during a powerful storm Oct. 13, 1902.

Nearly 120 years later, the Great Lakes Historical Society discovered the sunken, 292-foot, Whaleback using Side Scan Sonar. The wreck was found 35 miles off Vermilion Point in 650 feet of water.

More From Mix 95.7