1641 – French traders establish posts at Sault Ste. Marie and Michilmackinac.

1696 – Franciscan missionaries baptize an Indian boy at the Jesuit "college" at L’Arbre Croche (the shore area from today’s Cross Village to Harbor Springs).

mid 1730’s – Jesuit Father Du Jaunay arrives at Michilmackinac for missionary work. First church built in village of L’Arbre Croche (Crooked Tree in French) where the Odawas had moved from the north. He served until 1766. After his departure L’Arbre Croche had no resident priest for over half a century.

1799 – Father Gabriel Richard visits L’Arbre Croche, returns in 1821. Later elected to U. S. Congress. Co-founds the University of Michigan.

1823 – The Odawa Indians petition President Monroe and U. S. Congress for a "teacher of the Gospel."

1827 – Father Peter De Jean visits L’Arbre Croche, baptizes 21 people.

Early 1829 – Father De Jean returns and transfers mission to Ville Neuve, the beginning of today’s Harbor Springs.

May 1829 – Bishop Fenwick of Cincinnati appoints Fr. De Jean pastor of St. Peters, the new mission of L’Arbre Croche. Two rough log buildings house the church, school and parsonage.

Summer 1829 – The school opens with 13 day-students and 25 boarders. The Indian population is approximately 500. Father De Jean baptizes 97 through the next year.

1830 – Father De Jean in failing health, returns to France.

1831 – Bishop Fenwick visits the new L’Arbre Croche bringing with him Father Frederic Baraga, who was to become the "Apostle of the Odawas and Chippewa's" and candidate for canonization.

1837 – Michigan becomes the 26^th state.

1851 – Alexander and Mary NeSawWauQuot deeded the parish property to the Bishop of Detroit. The original St. Peter’s church was remodeled and renamed Mission of the Most Holy Childhood of Jesus.

1884 – Three Franciscans of Sacred Heart Province, Fathers Altmicks and Niermann, and Brother Arnold, arrive to begin 119 years of Franciscan service to our parish.

1885 – Three School Sisters of Notre Dame arrive from Milwaukee to run the school, now housed in a three-story frame building.

1886 – The sisters move from the former Star Hotel building into a new frame convent built on the same site. The new school opens.

1892 – A new church was built over the old log church which was dismantled and carried out the front door, thus thwarting the city’s plans to extend Main Street through the property.

1901 and 1914 – Additions made to the Indian School.

1983 – The boarding school ceased operation. The building now serves Holy Childhood Day Care.

1998 – 1999 – Our beloved 106 year-old church building is restored and renovated with space added for our expanding congregation. The "look," the bell tower, west wall, and altars are retained to preserve our visible heritage. Several commissioned works of art are installed to honor our parish’s Native American origins.