John Whalen McGee collection of church history publications, photographs and genealogical research
Scope and Contents
The photos in this collection were compiled for the publication of the book The Catholic Church in the Grand River Valley written by Father John W. McGee; published by Franklin Dekleine Co., Lansing, Michigan, 1950. This finding aid includes the page number in the book where the image is shown. Further descriptions of the image can be found in the image captions, and within the book in general. Other images are included in the book that are not found in this collection, but may exist in other archival collections in the department.
Images related to Louis Campau include a photo of the tombstones for Louis and his wife, Sophie; the church he built in 1837 and the iron cross taken from this old church. Early views of Monroe Ave., a main street in Grand Rapids, are included. The images of buildings and streets may be actual photos or photos of renderings and drawings. In many cases, the source and creator of these graphics is not given, and may no longer be known.
Several of the images are photographs of documents, including maps and signed manuscript items related to the areas history. Images in this collection provide information on the Native American history of this region, as well.
Dates
- circa 1950-1976
Creator
- McGee, John Whalen (Person)
Biographical / Historical
John Whalen McGee was born on October 14, 1916, and baptized at St. Andrew’s Cathedral. His parents were Ivan Emmet McGee and Mary Ellen McGee. They arrived from Ireland in 1845. Reverend McGee had three siblings, brother Richard, and sisters, Mary Jane and Sheila. All three of the children attended Catholic schools. In 1934 John McGee entered St. Stephens Seminary where he was tutored in Greek and Rhetoric. In 1937 John attended Old St Mary’s on Paca St. in Baltimore for philosophy, and then at new St. Mary’s for theology to finally end up in Washington at the Catholic University of America.
John’s first assignment was at St. James’ Parish on Bridge Street where he began the sick calls, the youth work, the preaching, the weddings and baptisms and funerals. In 1945, at the Centennial of St. James’ Parish, John was assigned the task of researching and writing a parish history, where he also began his work on local history.
Extent
0.46 Linear Feet (Two boxes)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
The John Whalen McGee Collection consists of pictorials used in his book The Catholic Church in the Grand River Valley. A copy of the book is included with the collection. The views depict prominent people in the Catholic Church of Grand Rapids, Michigan, and also include church buildings, such as interior and exterior views of St. Andrews Cathedral. Several images are associated with Louis Campau, who is credited as the founder of Grand Rapids.
In May 2003, genealogical materials related to the McGee family and their Irish roots, were added to his collection. John Whalen McGee was born on October 14, 1916 and died in 1987. His family immigrated from Ireland in 1845. Whalen entered religious study in 1934, and ended up at Catholic University of American. See the online library catalog for other titles authored by McGee.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Unknown, Scott Crowley. Accession numbers include 2000.051.
Alphabetical Index
Catholic Church (built by Louis Campau in 1837) - 01a
Graves of Louis and Sophie (DeMarsac) Campau -03
Indian Chapel at the Rapids -06
Iron cross taken from the old Campau Church -09
La Framboise Trading Post replica -36
Map. Indian Lands and Grand Rapids, 1836 -16
Map. Mission Reserve -17
Monroe Avenue View, 1874 -20
Monument to Fr. Viszosky -21
Old Stone Church (architect's sketch) -22
Old Stone Church on Monroe Ave. at Ottawa St. -23
Old Yellow Warehouse -35
People. Baraga, Frederic -01
People. Gabriella, Mary -04
People. Gregoria, Mary -04
People. Haas, Francis J. -05
People. Malone, Dennis E. -15
People. McManus, Joseph -14
People. Richter, Henry J. -24
People. Schmitt, John A. -32
People. Van Paemel, Edward -34
St. Andrews Church - 25, 25a, 28, 29, 30
St. Andrews Church. Interior - 26, 27
St. Andrews School -31
Stained glass windows in St. Andrews Cathedral - 33, 33a
Item List
No./Description
01 People. Baraga, Frederic
01a Catholic Church (built by Louis Campau in 1837)
02 Document showing the establishment of St. Patricks Parish, Grattan, Mich.
03 Graves of Louis and Sophie (DeMarsac) Campau
04 People. Gregoria, Mary / People. Gabriella, Mary
05 People. Haas, Francis J. Bishop of Grand Rapids
06 Drawing-"Indian Chapel at the Rapids"
07 Indian equipment
08 Indian clothing and weapons
09 Iron cross taken from the old Campau Church
11 Letter addressed to President Andrew Jackson, signed by leading Indians of the Grand River Valley region
12 Letter sent by John Almy, surveyor, to Messrs Isaac Turner and Willard Sibley
13 Letter sent to Mr. Harris of the War Dept. By Bishop Reese, April 20, 1834
14 People. McManus, Patrick Joseph
15 People. Malone, Dennis E.
16 Map of Indian Lands and Grand Rapids, 1836
17 Map of Mission Reserve
18 "Memorial" address to President Tyler by Grand Rapids Citizens
19 Memorial to the Rev. Fr. Baraga and Rev. Fr. Viszosky
20 Monroe Avenue View, 1874
21 Monument to Fr. Viszosky
22 Old Stone Church (architect's sketch)
23 Old Stone Church on Monroe Ave. at Ottawa St.
24 People. Richter, Henry J.
25 St. Andrews Church
25a St. Andrews Church
26 St. Andrews Church. Interior
27 St. Andrews Church. Interior (reconstructed)
28 St. Andrews Church, 1883
29 St. Andrews Church, 1855
30 St. Andrews Church
31 St. Andrews School
32 People. Schmitt, John A.
33 Stained glass windows in St. Andrews Cathedral
33a Stained glass windows in St. Andrews Cathedral
34 People. Van Paemel, Edward
35 Old Yellow Warehouse
36 Replica of La Framboises' trading post on the Flat River near Ada, Mich.
- Title
- Finding Aid for the John Whalen McGee collection
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Martha J. Bloem
- Date
- October 1988
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Grand Rapids History Center Repository
Grand Rapids Public Library
111 Library Street NE
Grand Rapids Michigan 49503 USA
616-988-5497
localhis@grpl.org