The beginnings of the Catholic Church in the Portage Lake area are associated with Bishop Frederic Baraga, the first Bishop of the Diocese of Marquette, known as the "Apostle of the Lakelands" and the "Snowshoe Priest." As Bishop of the Diocese he provided Missionaries to care for the spiritual needs of the Catholic people in the Upper Peninsula.

Bishop Frederick Baraga ordained Father Edward Jacker on August 5, 1855 and put him in charge of the mission at L'Anse Mission. They found hospitality at the home of Michael Finnegan.

On September 5, 1858, services were held in the public school house which was used for services by Protestants and Catholics alike and sometimes it was turned into a court room. It was situated diagonally across from the old, at that time to be built, St. Ignatius Loyola Church. The Bishop addressed the assembled people in English, French and German and confirmation was conferred for the first time in Houghton upon twelve persons whom Fr. Jacker had instructed. After services, a meeting for the purpose of making arrangements for the building of the new church was held. The Bishop expounded upon the necessity of a church. To encourage them in the enterprise, he started the subscription list with twenty dollars. Michael Finnegan was appointed chief collector. The first collection amounted to $630.50. Two lots 6 and 7, Block 31, were chosen as the site for the new church and were purchased from Ransom and Theresa Shelden for $130.00. Under the supervision of Michael Finnegan, construction was commenced in the spring of 1859. On July 31, 1859, the feast of St. Ignatius Loyola, Bishop Baraga dedicated the church to the honor of that Saint. The Bishop celebrated a Pontifical High Mass for the occasion assisted by Fathers Jacker, Thiele and O'Neil. Again he preached in English, French and German, and then appointed Father O'Neil as the first pastor. 

Fr. O'Neil served as pastor until May 4, 1860, when Bishop Baraga came to Houghton and ordered Fr. Jacker to succeed Fr. O'Neil. Fr Jacker served until September 1864. Fr. Jacker was living in Hancock in rooms he had fitted out as a rectory and was serving both Hancock and Houghton. Fr. Andrew Andolschek stayed in Houghton as sort of an assistant as he could speak neither English nor French. Fr. Andolschek served only in February and March 1861.

Sixteen priests served as pastors of the parish until November 6, 1895, when a new and long-lasting era began for St. Ignatius. Father (later Monsignor) Antoine Ivan Reszek arrived to become pastor. He was to hold that position for 51 years and become a legend in the Copper Country and the Diocese of Marquette.

One of Fr. Rezek's first projects was to begin planning for a new church. In view of unsettled economic conditions, the undertaking was a courageous one, but Fr. Rezek was, if anything, a man of courage and daring. He pushed ahead with the help of his parishioners. Excavation began on June 7, 1898 and by fall the basement walls were completed. Work went on for four years until August of 1902. On August 10 of that year, Bishop Eis dedicated the new parish church.

The Church of St. Ignatius Loyola was build according to plans furnished by F. Breilmaier and Sons of Milwaukee, WI. The windows were made by Gavin Art Glass Works, also of Milwaukee. The total cost of the church, windows and furnishings was $65,000. 

In 1928 a portico was added to the front of the church to provide protection from the elements. In 1959, the parish's centennial year, and during the pastorate of Msgr. Thomas Drengacz, an east entrance was built with a level access to the parking lot, thus eliminating the need to use the formidable front stairs. 

—From "A Visitor's Guide to St. Ignatius Loyola Church"