09/14/2026
Next week: Two historical marker unveilings!
You are cordially invited to two unveiling ceremonies for township historical markers. One will share the history of Immanuel Congregational UCC, which is Oxford’s oldest church building in continuous use, The other will commemorate the life and contributions of Cornelius Nathaniel (C.N. or Connie) Ray III, founder of Sea Ray Boats.
The unveiling of the Immanuel Congregational marker will take place on the church grounds (1 Hovey St.) at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 20. The unveiling of the C.N. Ray III marker will take place at Legacy 925 (925 N. Lapeer Rd.) on Tuesday, Sept. 22 at 11 a.m.
The markers will consist of 16x20 bronze plaques – funded by Immanuel Congregational UCC and Sea Ray Boats – mounted on boulders. Koenig Materials donated the Immanuel Congregational boulder and the Edward C. Levy Co. donated the C.N. Ray III boulder. Saradan Construction moved and placed both boulders. Oxford Twp. Parks & Recreation will be mounting the plaques. A huge and heartfelt “thank you” to them.
The Immanuel Congregational building was dedicated in 1879 and designed by architect Charles H. Marsh. He designed Detroit’s Universalist Church of Our Father, an architectural gem that stood from 1881 to 1913, and the historic Firemen’s Monument in Detroit’s Elmwood Cemetery. It cost $4,899.40 to build and furnish Immanuel Congregational. Housed in Immanuel’s bell tower is a restored 44-inch-diameter Blymyer bell that was cast in Cincinnati, Ohio. Blymyer bells were produced from the 1860s through the 1920s.
C.N. Ray III purchased Carr-Craft, a Detroit-based fiberglass manufacturer, in October 1959. Carr-Craft became Sea Ray, part of Ray Industries, the gravel mining company founded by C.N.’s grandfather. Postwar prosperity fueled a boom in recreational boating and C.N. saw an opportunity to steer the family business in a whole new direction. A spacious new plant was built at 925 N. Lapeer Rd. in Oxford Township. It opened in 1962. For decades, Sea Ray boats were in high demand and considered the “Cadillac” of pleasure boats. Between 1962 and 1991, Oxford’s Sea Ray plant produced at least 100,000 boats. C.N. Ray III passed away in November 2009 at age 84.
These two markers are part of a larger historical marker program launched in January 2025. Created and administered by C.J. Carnacchio, the township’s communications and grants manager, the program – which is being funded with donations and grants – highlights people, places, structures and events that are significant in terms of Oxford history.
Historical markers will be placed throughout the 36-square-mile township. Four markers were erected in 2025. So far, five markers have been placed this year and another four will be erected in September and October.
Each marker consists of a boulder with a 16x20 bronze plaque mounted on it. Each plaque contains one or two images (taken from vintage photos) and a historical narrative. Later this year, a QR code will be placed on the plaques. The code will be linked to a webpage containing historical information and a marker map.
All the boulders are being donated by Oxford’s two gravel mining companies – Edward C. Levy Co. and Koenig Materials. Saradan Construction is donating its manpower and equipment to move the boulders from the mining sites to the marker sites. Oxford Township Parks & Recreation is installing the plaques. It’s a true community effort! Thank you, everyone!
For more information about the township’s historical marker program, please call Carnacchio at (248) 462-9997 or send an email to [email protected].
Photos by C.J. Carnacchio.
Northeast Oakland Historical Museum
Oakland History Center
Michigan Townships Association
Michigan History Center
Michigan State Historic Preservation Office
Legacy 925
