St. Charles Parish at 505 S. Lafayette St., Greenville, MI 48838 US - St. Margaret's Church History

The first regular settlers in the township were Cyrus B. Thomas in 1846 and Henry Stroup in 1848.  In 1855 Thomas Spencer built the Spencer Mill at the corner of what is no Lincoln Lake Road and 15 Mile Road.  The surrounding township was organized as "Celsus" in 1861, but later renamed in honor of Mr. Spencer.

Father B. Goosens was the pastor of St. Clara's in Maple Valley and had missions at Sand Lake, Greenville, Spencer, Ensley, Lake View and Carson City.  He first mentions "Spencer" in his report for 1890, stating that there are 20 families: 18 English and 2 German, and that during the year 4 infant Baptisms, 5 first Communions, 5 Confirmations, and 1 death.

In 1892, Father Goossens had to leave due to failing health.  Maple Valley and the attendent missions were all added to Big Rapids.  There were not sufficient priests available, so the missions, including Spencer, were reduced to stations and had mass on a weekday, no longer on Sunday.  Fr. Caldwell reports in the same year that the Spencer station had 25 families: 16 English, 1 French, 7 German, and 1 Holland.  The following year, 1893, he refers to the Spencer church as "Sacred Heart, Spencer."