The centennial of the Father Marquette statue on Mackinac Island will be celebrated exactly 100 years from the day it was dedicated in 1909, with a public service in Marquette Park at 7 p.m. Tuesday, September 1.

Efforts to create a monument on Mackinac Island honoring the French Jesuit missionary and explorer began in 1877 with the establishment of the “Marquette Monument Association.”

In 1899, the Mackinac Island State Park Commission designated a spot for a statue in the old soldier gardens below Fort Mackinac, and Italian sculptor Gaetano Trentanove, who had created Marquette statues in Wisconsin and in Marquette, was commissioned to make a bronze statue for Mackinac Island.

The 1909 dedication included the Petoskey City Band and Grand Hotel orchestra. Dignitaries included park superintendent B. F. Emery, Bishop John F. Foley of Detroit, Bishop Charles D. Williams of Detroit, and U.S. Supreme Court Justice William R. Day.

The event next week will include music and comments by park director Phil Porter, Mackinac Island State Park Commission Vice-chairman Dennis Cawthorne, and Chief Curator Steve Brisson.

The singing of “America” led by the Mackinac Island Honor Scouts will be followed by a ceremonial firing of the Fort Mackinac cannon, and the first place and honorable mention photographs from the Father Marquette statue photograph contest will be unveiled.