It all started…

In the late 1800s, the Catholic community in Fowlerville was a small but faithful group of families who finally realized their dream in 1891 with the construction of the first St. Agnes Church at the corner of Church and Maple Streets. For nearly two decades, this modest structure was the heart of their spiritual life—until nature intervened.

On the afternoon of May 15, 1909, a massive tornado ripped through Fowlerville, leaving a trail of destruction that made front-page news. Headlines decried “Six Miles of Devastation in Livingston County,” as nearly 300 buildings were damaged or destroyed. The storm tore the roof from St. Agnes and reduced its brick walls to rubble, but in the midst of the chaos, a miracle occurred: a group of small children gathered inside the church had been dismissed just moments before the tornado struck. In what many considered an act of divine intervention, no loss of life occurred that day.

While the physical building was lost, the congregation’s resolve remained unbroken. That same year, they moved to the corner of Church and South Second Streets to begin anew. On October 20, 1909, they laid a new cornerstone, raising the sturdy, red-brick sanctuary that would stand as a village landmark for the next century. Today, in 2026, this resilient structure continues its legacy as the Kelmscott Chapel and Concert Hall, serving as a testament to the community's enduring spirit.

For over 60 years, this second church echoed with the sounds of Sunday hymns and the footfalls of generations of Fowlerville residents. However, by the early 1970s, the parish had outgrown its downtown home. Seeking room to expand, the congregation moved to its current location at 855 East Grand River Avenue.

Meanwhile, the historic "Second Church" on Second Street refused to disappear. After the Catholic church vacated the building in 1970, it was purchased by Dr. Chester "Chet" Summers, a local orthodontist and talented musician. Dr. Summers converted the historic structure into a unique home for his family, specifically remodeling the space to accommodate his passion for music. He installed not one, but two pipe organs, including a 600 pipe Wurlitzer salvaged from the former Granada Theater in Detroit.

Dr. Summers didn't just keep the beauty of the building to himself; he began the tradition of using the chapel as a wedding venue and concert hall, even becoming ordained himself to officiate ceremonies.

After changing hands a few times over the following decades, the Thumudo family purchased the building in 2018. Barb Thumudo, an expert in historic preservation with over twenty years of experience at the Michigan State Capitol, led the next chapter of the building’s restoration. She carefully worked to expose the original 1909 details of the church, such as restoring archways that once led to the sacristies, while still intentionally preserving many of Dr. Summers' unique 1970s alterations—including the non-functioning decorative organ pipes he used for the altar. 

Today the historic structure continues to thrive as the Kelmscott Chapel and Concert Hall. Through the Thumudo's efforts, the old church now serves as a boutique wedding venue and a unique three-level Airbnb, allowing visitors to sleep beneath the same vaulted ceilings where St. Agnes parishioners gathered over 100 years ago, blending over a century of Fowlerville history into a peaceful community space.