The 1912 Hymn “Old Rugged Cross” Debuted at This Michigan Church

The historic village of Pokagon is located in Cass County, about seven and a half miles northeast of Niles.

At one point in time, namely from the 1870s through the rest of the century, Pokagon was a busy little village with homes, shops and businesses that crammed the downtown crossroads. The businesses are gone - general store, blacksmith, train depot, hotel, saloon, etc. - but plenty of houses remain, along with an interesting history.

The classic hymn, "The Old Rugged Cross", was written in 1912 by George Bennard in Albion, Michigan. The first time that hymn was ever performed in public was at the church in Pokagon, which is now referred to as "The Old Rugged Cross Church".

Get our free mobile app

An Historical Marker is currently present at the church site.

This area is where the last of the Potawatomi Indian tribe made their home. Chief Leopold Pokagon, called “the Good Chief”, was a highly regarded member of the Potawatomi; the local residents thought so much of him, they gave the new settlement his name. This is now known as the town of Pokagon - the township was named afterward in 1829.

The Pokagon Potawatomi tribe inhabited (and still inhabit) this part of our state and benefit Cass County by making it grow and prosper.

The former downtown of Pokagon, which is nowadays just a crossroads with the railroad cutting through it, has no depot, no stores, and no shops. Just homes. It's a melancholy outcome to one of Michigan's most historic villages.