Inside the Abandoned Church of Martin Corners, Barry County

There is a curious little corner tucked away in the countryside of Barry County. At this little corner is an old church and an old one-room schoolhouse right across the street.

Just six miles east of Hastings on E. State, this little hamlet went unknown for many years until someone found out it actually had a name: Martin Corners.

However, there doesn’t seem to be any record of it with that name. Old atlases show that area as blank with no name. Books of historic Michigan villages, towns, stations, etc. don't even list ‘Martin Corners’. No maps that I could find, either. So this makes me wonder if the name was just thought of in the past 50 years or so. Currently it is listed on Google Maps.

Get our free mobile app

According to the Barry County Historical Society, the original Martin school opened in 1855, using a log cabin that belonged to farmer Joshua Martin.

A newer school house soon began construction and was ready for use by 1858.

Another new school was built in 1907 and this is the old one-room school that currently sits at that intersection.

Now for the church. Before a church was built, Sunday services were held inside the school. The church that currently stands on the corner across from the old school was completed in 1888. Not only was it used for services, but for special occasions, like church dinners, holiday programs, ice cream socials, and dances.

It lasted until 1971, but membership was at an all-time low. The church called it quits and was abandoned in 1972. Both church and school remain on the corners and are an intriguing reminder of the things that once occurred at that intersection, with throngs of people and buggies lining the roads.