View source for Soo Hill Community Church (Escanaba, Michigan, USA)

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Bruce Handrich, pastor of the [[Germfask Community Fellowship (Germfask, Michigan, USA)|Ferndale Mennonite Church]] in Germfask, [[Michigan (USA)|Michigan]], held a [[Summer Bible School]] in the Danforth School near Escanaba beginning in 1950. In 1952, the first Mennonite worship services were held there one evening a month.

The [[Indiana-Michigan Mennonite Mission Board]] ordained Paul Horst of the [[Clinton Frame Church (Goshen, Indiana, USA)|Clinton Frame Mennonite Church]] to pastor this mission outpost on 1 March 1953. He supported his ministry by working as a plumber.

For a time, services were held in a local school near until some local Catholic opposition ended this option. The basement of a meetinghouse four miles northwest of Escanaba in the Soo Hill community was built in 1953-1954; the remainder of the building was completed in 1955-1956 and dedicated on 4 November 1956. The congregation was called the Soo Hill Mennonite Church. A new meetinghouse was erected in 1986.

In the early 1990s, the congregation changed its name to Soo Hill Community Church.

The Soo Hill Community Church closed in 2008. In 2023, the Escanaba Church of Christ occupied the building.
= Bibliography =
"A 'church raising' was held...." ''Gospel Herald'' 79, no. 7 (15 February 1986): 116.

"Dedication services...." ''Gospel Herald'' 49, no. 45 (6 November 1956): 1061.

"A double ordination service...." ''Gospel Herald'' 46, no. 10 (10 March 1953): 236.

Eash, Sandord and Orpha. "Soo Hill: earnestly working." ''Gospel Herald'' 78, no. 20 (14 May 1985): 340-341.

Horst, Paul H. "Gladstone, Michigan." ''Gospel Herald'' 50, no. 4 (22 January 1957): 91.

Kauffman, Freda Kurtz. "Visit Upper Michigan." ''Gospel Herald'' 48, no. 45 (8 November 1955): 1071.

Preheim, Rich. ''In Pursuit of Faithfulness: Conviction, Conflict, and Compromise in Indiana-Michigan Mennonite Conference''. Harrisonburg, Va.: Herald Press, 2016: 312.

"Soo Hill." ''Gospel Herald'' 59, no. 9 (8 March 1966): 204.

Wenger, John Christian. ''The Mennonites in Indiana and Michigan''. Scottdale, Pa.: Herald Press, 1961: 254-255.

= Additional Information =
'''Address''': 5079 18th Road, Escanaba, Michigan 49829

'''Meeting Place''': 

'''Telephone''': 

'''Website''':

'''Denominational Affiliations''':

[https://www.im.mennonite.net/ Indiana-Michigan Mennonite Conference]

[https://www.mennoniteusa.org/ Mennonite Church USA]
== Pastoral Leaders at Soo Hill Community Church ==
{| class="wikitable" 
|-
! Name !! Years<br/>of Service
|-
| Bruce E. Handrich (1924-2011) || 1952-1953
|-
| Paul H. Horst (1917-1999) || 1953-1979
|-
| Stanley J. Troyer || 1979-1994
|-
| Cal  Thorpe (Interim) || 1994-1995
|-
| Dale R. Borntrager || 1995-1998?
|-
| Wayne Joosse (Interim) || 1999?-2002?
|-
| Lay Leadership || 2002-2008
|}

== Soo Hill Community Church Membership ==
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right"
|-
! Year !! Members
|-
| 1958 || 10
|-
| 1960 || 13
|-
| 1970 || 15
|-
| 1980 || 18
|-
| 1990 || 28
|-
| 2000 || 31
|-
| 2007 || 10
|}

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[[Category:Churches]]
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