Constructed in 1862 as a hops barn, this establishment was converted into a church in 1876. Then…read morere-sold in 1915 to a local farmer, the livestock barn existed on the site from 1915 to 1998 before it was purchased by members of the Pokagon United Methodist. Rev. George Bennard was visiting the area to take part in a series of revivals, and his famous hymn "The Old Rugged Cross" was first publicly performed in 1913. The hymn did not make Rev. Bernard rich. However, he sold the rights to the Rodeheaver Company of Winona Lake, Indiana, for $500, and the copyright was renewed years later for $5,000. The Old Rugged Cross Church is located on Vermont St. in Pokagon, about halfway between Dowagiac and Niles, where my partner's sister and I stopped off the beaten path before heading to Shipshewana.

My husband and I found out about this church by accident! We were simply searching for things to…read moredo in Niles, Michigan. We were determined to find something to do close to dark and finally found this on the Internet. The hymn, The Old Rugged Cross, was first performed in this church many years ago. The hymn is near and dear to our hearts because our grandparents used to enjoy singing this song and my husband has enjoyed playing it on the piano for our children. We decided to check it out! The outside of the church is stunning! We were not able to view the inside but if we ever make it back to this area of the country we will certainly stop to see it! You should do the same especially if you enjoy this old hymn!

We need a headstone for my step-father who was buried in Michigan City but we live in Florida. We…read moreworked with funeral director Dale Knouse to design, order and install the headstone. In the process we found out two other family members had problems with their headstones sinking over time. Cutler arranged to have the headstone lifted and stabilized. The other was over one hundred years old and had cracked in half. Dale again assisted us to replace the headstone with a new one. Cutler took excellent care of us every step of the process. Updating us with photos and timelines. I can't tell you how relieved I was that my 82 year old mother did not have to travel back to Indiana during Covid to take care of this! Dale you're a lifesaver!

amazing facility and caring staff I recently was at a friends funeral and was very comfortable and…read moreI felt a calmness that is hard to explain, you can tell that the people at Cutler Funeral Home and Cremation Center are deeply concerned with not only family members but everyone in attendance, the reason I felt compelled to write this is simply because of my own experience when I lost my father a few months back and believe me totally different, I felt like they were checking boxes and not concerned at all. I wish I would have voiced my opinion to my family in a stronger conviction to have chosen Cutler Funeral Home

Heidi was so pleasant, kind, helpful and wonderful. She took s her time to show me around and…read moreexplain everything to me. She showed compassion and helped my self esteem. thank you Heidi!

Worked with Julie on prepaid arrangement, she was kind & very helpful. Have used SJFH for many…read morefamily members. Staff is wonderful. Very kind and understanding of the emotions people are feeling. Always clean and willing to make sure your wishes are met. Would highly recommend using SJFH on Mayflower & Sample Rds

My father purchased a prepaid plan back in 2004. He passed away suddenly in 2015…read more The staff was very cold. I went in several times to go over the details as my dad was a stage 4 cancer patient at the time, and was only given weeks to live. Every question I had was treated as an inconvenience. Only "certain" people could help you if you walked in. They disregarded several of my requests. They think they have the monopoly on the Catholics on the West and South sides of South Bend. More, on prepaid arrangements, you are a thorn in their side. I took a year to think before I wrote this review. It wasn't done on raw emotion.

We recently buried my mom. She was an activity director at a nursing home for 20 years and dealt…read morewith death on the daily. She chose Hahn's for her services. Even though she was on hospice for a while ...but nothing truly prepares you. The days following a death, even an expected death are a blur. She gave us an amazing gift by planning most of the details. There are always a million other little things that need to be decided and dealt with...Pat was AMAZING. The whole team made such a sad time smooth. They communicated well. We met with them the day after, when everything was a blur. Their process was so smooth they had all the choices we made written out for us so we didn't have to remember anything.

They are the best funeral home in the area. They care about…read morethe family above all else. They all are great there, but I have dealt with Patrick the most on several occasions and he is so caring and supportive. I would not recommend any other funeral home!

Jessica Lambert and the whole McGann team involved with our recent funeral on Thursday, March 4…read more Thanks again for all you did to make my Dad's celebration so memorable. He would be super proud!! Working with someone like you (17 years experience), who is so passionate about your job and helping families at a most difficult time, has been an amazing experience. Your (and your firms') reputation for more intimate, hands on/high touch funeral services were on display immediately when two catholic parish funeral coordinators recommended you so highly. You were truly a trusted advisor and made what had the makings of a family disaster (very short timeline for service and lots of family emotions on type of service) turn out to be an amazing experience/celebration of my Dad's life. Your attention to detail, super clear and timely communications and sensitivity were priceless when there was so much pressure & anxiety (&grief) being dealt with. Every detail we planned for was clearly communicated and executed without a hitch. Having someone like you who knows the Catholic faith and funeral protocols can't be underestimated. My sources tell me your pricing was competitive even with "higher touch/personal services" factored in. I give my highest recommendation to anyone considering funeral services in the South Bend area to consider McGann & Jessica for all your funeral needs.

This is the most degrading funeral home someone could ever use. Pat McGann is the most selfish,…read moreinconsiderate person I have ever met and does not care about anything but his money. He wrote up the bill and said he triple checked it on quickbooks, then after it was already 1/2 paid he called and said we owed an extra $500. Money was no issue for us to pay, but he messed up the pending arrangements in the paper saying my father had passed away when it was my brother who passed away; when we went to go pay the bill he said it was our fault and nothing was his fault, even though when he messed up the pending arrangements in the paper for everyone to see he personally took the blame and apologized at the time. Thank god he sent a reviewed copy of my brothers obit, because he put his death date as March 17, 1937 when it was March 7, 2017. Do not let him use a pencil to fill out a contract, and if you decided to use this horrific funeral home make sure you record every conversation you have with Pat McGann. In the end all he cared about was his new roof he had just put on his funeral home and MONEY MONEY MONEY. I DO NOT RECOMMEND HIM TO ANYONE.

Brown Funeral Home was so gracious to my family when my husband of 30 plus years passed away the…read morecompassion from the staff and Mr. Brown helped me through a tragic experience. I have never had any experience with a funeral home that would compare to this wonderful establishment " treating you just like family " They went beyond measure to make sure my husband was given the military service he deserved ( he was a Marine). They have become like family to me and with family you love forever. On behalf of my husband Anthony E. Garner, Sr. Forever in my heart Gwen G.

There is not enough words to express how I feel about Brown's they are absolutely the most caring…read moreand loving people. We have had to use them 2 times in just a year apart and in the difficult time they were very comforting. I would definitely recommend them to everyone. There is not one of them that didn't go above and beyond for us. If you want your loved one in the best place that will truly treat them as if it were there family then this is definitely the place you want them to be at.

Thank you for putting on a great service to honor my grandpa Tommy We loved all the photos on the…read moretables and the slide show.

When my brother passed away last year March 2024 , no insurance, I called Haverstock in Laporte…read more for help and of course comfort , they could not help me. Then I went to Esling funeral home they wasn't comforting either, I went further to Michigan city, and found Colmans funeral home, they were so warm and comforting, they brought my brother back home, and to rest, and with a reasonable amount for the funeral paid in full! God Bless Colemans funeral home in Michigan City