St. Mary Queen of Peace Church was dedicated on August 12, 1945, amid the splendor of a Catholic ritual, it was the culmination of many years of efforts by the local community. Prior to that time, there were two downtown parishes in Iron Mountain, St. Mary and St. Joseph. Local
parishioners found that the distances that had to be traveled to St. Mary and St. Joseph were a serious impediment to attending Sunday mass. It soon became clear, as the Kingsford area became more populated, that there was a need for a separate parish for Catholic families.
     In 1940, working with the permission of his bishop, Iron Mountain's Reverend Pelissier established a mission station in Kingsford Heights and placed in charge his assistant -Rev. Arnold Thompson.   It was Reverend Thompson who impressed upon the people of this pioneer congregation their obligation in laying the ground work for the future parish. In 1941, five lots were purchased, and by 1942, mass was being offered every Sunday in a local community building by Rev. Arnold Thompson. Soon, catechism groups and a religious vacation school were organized. The enthusiasm for a separate parish ran high, and a fund was started for the planning and construction of a new church.
     Anxious to be declared a parish in its own right, the community secured a residence for a priest if the bishop would send one. Progress being made by the people of Kingsford so pleased the Bishop Francis Magner, that he deemed it time to send the resident priest and formally erect the parish. On June 14, 1944, His Excellency, the Bishop of Marquette, issued the decree that formed St. Mary Queen of Peace parish in Kingsford Heights, and Rev. Gerald Harrington was appointed as its first pastor.
     The work of excavation began in August 1944 on the lots purchased in 1941, and the decorative cornerstone, containing documents of parish, diocesan, and national history, was laid in October. Many distinguished clergymen from the Midwest were present to celebrate the occasion.
     On August 12, 1945, the beautiful church of St. Mary Queen of Peace Church was dedicated. Future pastors, including the second resident priest, Rev. Thomas Anderson, contributed to the internal decoration of the church, such as the striking stained-glass windows.
     In 2020, the Church had been around for seventy five years, we continue to celebrate not only the construction of this church, but more important, we  pay tribute to the profound effect this church has had on the Kingsford community. This church and its theological leaders have provided spiritual guidance and religious education to this community for 50 years, and that is truly something to celebrate.