Smith’s Chapel, one of Cass County’s oldest landmarks, will host its annual holiday program Saturday at 7 p.m.

There will be music, stories and a visit from Santa Claus at the event.

Built in 1840 by Cannon Smith on Beardsley’s Prairie in what is now Milton Township, Smith’s Chapel is the oldest church in Cass County and one of the oldest in southwest Michigan.

The church building is one of the most visible examples of early colonization of the area by settlers from Delaware.

The chapel served as a Methodist church until the late 1970s when it was purchased by Milton Township for a dollar.

In 1967, church services were discontinued, but the church is still used for weddings and community events.

Last year, about $135,000-worth of improvements were completed to the chapel’s floors and foundation in a four-year project.

The Smith Chapel property includes a one-story, wood frame chapel with Late Victorian style architecture and a 4.5-acre cemetery.

For more information on the Christmas program at Smith’s Chapel or to find out more about renting the chapel, contact Ann Brown at (269) 663-8423.

The chapel is located at 29858 Redfield Rd. between Brush and Fir roads in Milton Township.