It’s most recently known as the E-Center, home to the now defunct Little Gem Theater. Before that it was Lake Linden’s Elementary School, before being replaced by the modern structure now serving the village’s youth. But before all that the building was originally home to a parochial school operated by the catholic church across the street- the magnificent St. Joseph’s. The building was built in 1930 to replace the school’s original wood structure, and would serve as the St. Joseph School for another 41 years before declining enrollment forced its close in 1971.

Since then the building had been used for various new uses, but through it all it has managed to retain at least a piece of its more religious upbringing. You just have to be paying close enough attention to notice it.

Hidden along the building’s tree-shaded backside are these two small stained glass windows, an unique detail that is most certainly missed by most casual passer-bys. I would assume that these two windows illuminated the school’s old chapel space, but I really don’t know for sure. No matter their actual location and use, the fact that they have survived intact to this day – even after the building’s use in a more secular capacity – is somewhat amazing to me. Here’s a closer look, as best as I could get from my vantage point on the neighboring street:

It’s amazing what you’ll find if you in the Copper Country if you just take the time to look….