The mysteries of Lake St. Clair's submerged history are finally making waves above water. A new documentary, "Hidden History of Lake St. Clair," is set to divulge details about the 19th-century Village of Belvidere and the Church of St. Felicity, both long ago swallowed by the Great Lake's rising tides. The project, produced by the Macomb County Planning and Economic Development, took a deep dive into the local folklore surrounding the lost village and church, confirming the existence of both through meticulous research. The documentary will be showcased at a fundraiser at the Macomb Center for the Performing Arts, according to The Detroit News.
Greg Santoro, parks and natural resources program director at Macomb County Planning and Economic Development, remarked, "We had to figure out if records match what our suspicions were and why both communities disappeared when waters came up so high. The tale of finding religious artifacts by the lakeside, like how a young girl stumbled upon a statue of Our Lady of Sorrows, is bound to spark imagination. These gripping yarns, long circulated among locals and boaters, now find solid ground with the evidence surfaced through extensive research, says Macomb Daily.
Shot over a year, the film not only spotlights historic findings but also the recreational and economic significance of Lake St. Clair today. “It was an absolute, fascinating find,” Gerard Santoro contextually laid bare, according to a Macomb Daily report. Notably, this visual voyage was supported by Robert Krepke, the corporate historian emeritus at Ford and an award-winning documentarian, who lent his creative prowess to the cause, enabling viewers to undertake an adventure of aerial and underwater exploration throughout the documentary.
Submerged in a broader intent, the film aims to educate and ignite maritime interest among the youth. Captain Luke Clyburn, president of the Noble Odyssey Foundation, aims to use this documentation to instill a caring for the Great Lakes in young minds. Kelley Lovati, Macomb County Chamber of Commerce President and CEO, also emphasizes the ongoing importance of Lake St. Clair as a local asset providing economic impact and recreational opportunities to Macomb County. She revealed, in a statement obtained by Macomb Daily, their excitement to spearhead the new Blue Economy Committee to develop strategies for the waterway's future.
For those eager to soak up the untold stories and show support, tickets are still up for grabs. The entire evening, slated for February 15 from 5:30-8 p.m., panelists include Krepke, Clyburn, and maritime archaeologists from the state of Michigan and Wayne State University, as macombgov.org details.
