Bob Bailey and Louise Schaefer enjoy a traditional Swedish folk dance at the Trinity Lutheran Church centennial celebration Sunday, June 20, in Brevort. Celebrating the Swedish American heritage of Brevort, settled in part for its rich fishing grounds a century ago by several families whose descendants still call it home, is the reason residents gather there at midsummer every year for a traditional pole raising ceremony and potluck picnic. This year, the community has two extra reasons to celebrate, since the local church is marking its centennial and Brevort has garnered a state heritage award for its annual efforts to preserve its culture. The tradition and the church's 100th anniversary brought about 300 people to the celebration this year.

Members of Trinity Lutheran Church sat in small circles Sunday afternoon, snapping the leafy green branches of poplar trees into smaller sizes and handing them off to other members, who tied them in groups of three. Once complete, the branches would be used to adorn the midsummer pole later that day for the Midsummer and Trinity Lutheran Church centennial celebration Sunday, June 20.

Dr. Marsha MacDowell of Michigan State University (left) presents the 2010 Michigan Heritage Award to David Movalson, Sr., who accepts on behalf of the Swedish-American community of Brevort. Raising the pole, which is covered in poplar leaves, whirligigs, and flags, is a cultural tradition. The three cross arms of the pole hold six crowns representing the six days God created the world, while the leaves symbolize summertime. Four ships representing the four seasons rest on four small arms further up the pole. A weathervane arm with a propellor on one end represents the sun, while on the other end a rooster symbolizes the sun's herald. At the top of a pole is the figure of a man, a symbol of the pinnacle of God's creation.

People at the Midsummer and Trinity Lutheran Church centennial celebration at Brevort heave the midsummer pole into place Sunday, June 20. Fifth and sixth generation community members set the linch pin in place as others held the pole. Charlie Lamoreaux explained the process begins by cutting down a tree, bringing the branches in, and separating them into smaller pieces. There must be more leaves than branch when separating them to give the Midsummer pole an appealing appearance. Five people help rip the branches apart while five others tie them together.

Lois Movalson of Brevort explained poplar leaves are used because of their distinct appearance. This year's leaves were especially good for the pole, she said, because of the warm weather. The colder weather of previous years made it difficult to find good leaves.

As people continued tying the branches together, many exchanged stories and caught up on current events. To many of the people who attended, the celebration is an important part of Brevort culture.

At right: Dennis Smith of Ann Arbor (left) and David Smith of Kalamazoo work on tying the branches of poplar trees together for the Midsummer pole with Miette Smith (front, left) and Quinlan Smith Sunday, June 20, during the centennial celebration. “It's our heritage, our Swedish heritage,” said Nancy Smith of the celebration.

Charlotte DeShetler explained the celebration is a fun event, and serves as a great way to get together with each other. Several other elements make it a special time.

“I think it's the people, and it's always nice to have something historic that you can take part in,” she said.

Trinity Lutheran Church has served as a pillar for the small community of Brevort. Carol Faye Gustafson explained she attended the church as a child, and has fond memories of vacation Bible school.

“The church was very special,” she said. “It was the main part of my life.”

It was the centerpiece for the community during its early years, as well.

Church records chronicle the immigration of the Gustafson, Matson, Halberg, Holmberg, Sundquist, Blom, Carlson, and Movalson families to Brevort from 1880 to 1908. In 1910 the Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church was organized. Nearly a decade later, a new church was requested, as an old school house was used as the place of worship. By 1921, student Pastor Bernard Brynell served the church, and several meetings were held to discuss a new church. An architect from Augustana Synod in Rock Island, Illinois, was selected, pledges were taken, a builder was commissioned, and, by late summer, construction began. The new church was dedicated in 1922, and, in 1937, the church was named Trinity Lutheran Church.

This year, the blessing was said by the Reverend Robert Sutherland of Negaunee in Swedish, while the Reverend Jeremy Winter followed in English. Visitors tucked into the potluck meal at outdoor tables, and then watched as the Midsummer pole was raised. The pole wavered for a moment as a host of people heaved on the ropes, finally pulling it upright as fifth and sixth generation family members of the church set the lynchpin for the pole.

Speakers were pastors Philemon Anderson, Jon Magnuson, Lisa Stenmark, and Jeremy Winter, Bishop Emeritus Dale Skogman, and Bishop Thomas Skrenes.

The tradition of celebrating Swedish American culture won the town of Brevort a state heritage award this year. Lois and Dave Movalson accepted the Michigan State University Heritage award on behalf of the Swedish American community. Swedish dances were performed on the church lawn by the Marquette Folk Dancers to complete the celebration.