By Nicole Walton
Sidnaw, MI – The Catholic Diocese of Marquette has sold one of its church buildings in Houghton County. The former St. Francis Xavier Church in Sidnaw was sold to the Southern Houghton County Airport and Heritage Association for $8,000 in December. Diocese officials say the Association plans to turn the building into a community gathering place.
The sale comes as the result of the Diocese's 2007 pastoral plan. Founded in 1938, the Sidnaw church was the smallest mission in the diocese, with only 16 registered families. Church officials are also planning for a future with a reduced number of priests.