We are a few miles from Boyne Mountain Resort, and a few blocks from Boyne City's Lake Charlevoix Waterfront. If you are on vacation or in town for downhill skiing, or golfing, or boating, or cross-country skiing, or mushroom hunting (seriously, it's big thing here in the spring), we welcome you to visit us.
Come as you are: we don't get dressed up. Okay, maybe the priest dresses up, but ski clothes in winter and shorts in summer are just fine.
In spring, every May includes the Mushroom Festival. In summer, mid-July sees the Boyne Thunder gathering of power boats, and Friday evenings include "Stroll the Streets." On the Sunday following St. Francis' Day (October 5), we have a Blessing of the Animals.
The Boyne City Area
The community of Boyne City is situated on Lake Charlevoix with the adjoining Boyne River running right through the city. Many natural and recreational areas surround Boyne City and include parks, nature preserves, trails (both motorized and non motorized) skiing and winter sports. A bike trail links Boyne City with other trails throughout neighboring communities. Young State Park is located on Lake Charlevoix just a couple of miles outside of the city limits and Whiting, a county-owned park, is located on the other side of the lake and is a popular stop for those seeking a more relaxed visit.
Boyne City has a K-12 public school and a charter school.There is a county-owned bus service that links Boyne City and neighboring comnmunities. A small medical center and free clinic are located within the city limits, as well as dental and veterinary services. McClaren Northern Michigan Hospital is just 17 miles away in Petoskey and Munson Charlevoix Area Hospital in Charlevoix is about the same distance. Nativity is fortunate to be located one block from the downtown area and next door to the Boyne City Public Library. We are within walking distance from surrounding neighborhoods.
Our History
Nativity's building was originally Boyne City's first schoolhouse. Over the years, the building served as a many churches and, at one time, was a teen center. Dr. Walter Webber purchased the building for the purpose of starting a church. His intent was to name the church Grace in tribute to his mother Grace Fern Webber. In 1985, the Rev. James Hempstead of Emmanuel of Petoskey was charged by his bishop to establish a new congregation in Northern Michigan. Fr. Hempstead developed a committee and together he led a door-to-door survey to determine if there was enough interest in starting an Episcopal church. Initally, the first meeting was at the home of the Honorable Judge Harvey and Genevieve Varnum. That fall, Church of the Nativity was established and Nativity celebrated its first service on Christmas Eve in the home of the Varnums. Dr. Webber offered to lease the building to Nativity and eventually a purchase agreement was arranged. A plaque designates Nativity as listed on the Michigan Historic Register.
