MARANATHA…a caring…sharing…community church

US Highway 41 • Chassell, Michigan 49916
Church Phone: 906-482-8700 • Pastor’s Home Phone: 906-482-4822

(Located 3 miles south of the campus of Michigan Technological University in Houghton.)


Maranatha is the English translation of an Aramean phrase that appears exactly once in the Bible (1 Corinthians 16:22, if you are interested). It means, “Lord, come,” and is the prayer of every believer who is truly looking for Christ’s return.

Maranatha is also our church — a caring…sharing…community church — and for very good reason. My family and I have never seen a group of believers more eager to offer themselves in service to Christ,moreover, to willingly and cheerfully assist others in carrying their physical and spiritual burdens. And, we are community in that our people come from all over the Houghton County area.

Maranatha, admittedly, does not offer a lot of “programs,” however, we are a ministry where every believer willing to be involved in building the Kingdom of God has an opportunity to make a meaningful contribution.

At Maranatha, we enjoy music, from the old hymns of the Faith to Southern Gospel and contemporary.

At Maranatha, we believe strongly in the authority of the Word of God (i.e., the necessity of sound doctrine), but we are also committed to unity in the body of Christ (i.e., cultivating a non-sectarian focus).

Above all, at Maranatha, we seek to lift up the name of Jesus, to encourage Christians in their walk with Him, and to bring the message of the gospel to a lost and dying world.

If you do not already have a church home, stop by for a visit on Sunday or Wednesday at our easy-to-find location on US Highway 41 between Houghton and Chassell, about 3 miles south of the Michigan Tech campus.

Please note our Schedule of Services…

Sunday Mornings
10:00 a.m.
Sunday School (starting in September)
11:00 a.m.
Worship Service

Sunday Evenings
6:00 p.m. or 7:00 p.m.
Call Pastor Franz (482-4822) about special services on selected Sunday nights.

Wednesday Evenings
7:00 p.m.
Bible Study
We are currently studying Paul’s Epistle to the Ephesians.

Or, if you have comments or questions, contact me directly…

Dean L. Franz, Pastor
P.O. Box 422
Dollar Bay, Michigan 49922
906-482-4822

One final note: I mentioned at the top that “Maranatha” is really a prayer, “Lord, come.” Interestingly enough, in a verse that contains the very last prayer in the Bible (Revelation 22:20), Jesus says, “Yes, I am coming quickly” — to which the apostle John immediately replies, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus” — and to which we at Maranatha resoundingly add, “Amen!”

MARANATHA: What We Believe…
Go to the Pastor’s Family Page…
Go to the Franz Family Page (Northern Michigan...Southern Gospel)…

Email: dlfranz@charterMI.net