June 19 – Keeper of the Light

Located high above Lake Superior on a 130-foot cliff, Split Rock Lighthouse is an icon of the North Shore.

Since its establishment in 1910, Split Rock Lighthouse has been a steady guide, guiding ships across the vast expanse of Lake Superior with its powerful lens.

Before electrification, the lighthouse relied on an oil-burning lamp paired with a massive Fresnel lens, and it was the keeper’s duty to light it at sunset every single day—no matter the weather. The lens itself had to remain perfectly clean, as even the slightest smudge could diminish the light’s reach, so keepers spent hours carefully polishing the glass.

To keep the light rotating, the keeper had to regularly wind a clockwork mechanism driven by heavy weights. The keeper had to climb the tower every few hours, both day and night, to ensure the beacon remained operational.

“The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?” – Psalm 27:1

The Bible describes Christ as the “Light of the World”. It takes effort to keep the light lit. Have you read your Bible today?