By Staff
NILES – The Old Rugged Cross Historic Site's old-fashioned "Fall Festival, Craft &Bake Sale," complete with fresh fall produce and apples, hand made craft items, a "Sloppy Joe" lunch, and more, is set for Saturday, Oct. 20 at the Pokagon United Methodist Church in Pokagon.
The public is invited to shop, eat and enjoy this 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. seasonal event. The day will begin with breakfast breads and coffee early on, followed by the lunch menu, complete with homemade desserts, cider and other treats.
The Original Old Rugged Cross Church will be open to visitors from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m., during the Fall Festival. This is a perfect opportunity to see the recently-installed replica bell tower, progress on exterior siding, and the new window frames with temporary Lexan inserts that allow natural light into the sanctuary for the first time in decades.
Also available during the Fall Festival, the Old Rugged Cross Historic Site's colorful 2008 wall calendar, featuring the work of several photographers. Other Old Rugged Cross gift items also will be available, just in time for holiday gifts. Apples for sale will be courtesy of Tree-Mendus Fruit Farm, in Eau Claire.
The event will benefit restoration of The Original Old Rugged Cross Church and maintenance of The Old Rugged Cross Memorial Garden.
The Original Old Rugged Cross Church is where the hymn, "The Old Rugged Cross" was sung publicly in its entirety for the first time after Rev. George Bennard completed composing it, in 1913. The church is a Registered Michigan Historic Site and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Visitors are welcome to stroll through the adjacent Old Rugged Cross Memorial Garden.
The Old Rugged Cross Historic Site is one block south of Pokagon Highway, just east of Highway M-51 in Pokagon.
For information about the event, call 269-683-4540 or 269-684-8121. Information about the Old Rugged Cross Historic Site is available on the Internet at www.the-oldruggedcross.org, or from the Old Rugged Cross Foundation, PO Box 41, Niles, MI 49120. Send e-mail inquiries to orcf@aol.com.