Our Lady of Mount Carmel Roman Catholic Church
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Our Lady of Mount Carmel is a traditional, Polish, Roman Catholic Parish located in Wyandotte, Michigan that fosters a special devotion to Mary, the Mother of God. The parish endeavors to serve the spiritual needs of our Parish, provide quality Catholic education within their community and share their rich Polish heritage and customs through their schools, societies and Parish life. [1]
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[edit] History
In the year of 1818 a group of Polish immigrants settled on the shores of the beautiful Detroit River. The settlement grew and grew and they saw the need for a church. With all efforts of these Poles it grew to be a great landmark in the City of Wyandotte. They organized into groups of Ushers, Altar and Rosary societies, Felician Sisters Auxiliary, Zwianzek Polek, Holy Name and Orchard Lake societies. All laboring for the betterment of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. Elementary and High Schools were constructed for the youth of the parish. Other groups such as Oak Club and the Polish Roman Catholic Union contributed tremendous funds to help the athletic programs at this great Parish. So today the parishioners of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel continue to take pride in his great community of spiritual and physical growth, hoping to create a happily every after for many generations to come.
[edit] Early History
In 1818, the first pioneers came to the downriver area and established a settlement. Wyandotte grew and prospered as numerous settlers made it their home. Anthony Zenger was the first Pole to settle in Wyandotte in 1866. He found work in one of the factories; and not more than two years had passed more Poles settled in the downriver area. The Beginnings of Mt. Carmel Parish lingered in the group called the Society of St. Stanslaus Kostka. In 1870, Mr. A. Lesczynski founded a group and membership reached 37 members. In 1875, hard times hit the laboring classes in Wyandotte. Many Poles were forced to leave thus the society did not survive. However in 1888, Mr. F. Michalak revived the Society and the Poles attended services at St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church or at the German parish, St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church. Once each month, a Polish priest administered to their spiritual needs. In the ten years, Wyandotte increased in population including a marked number of Poles. At first they affiliated themselves with St. Patrick's Church. But even at this time Poles began to plan the building of a church in which they could be instructed in and ministered to in their own tongue. A committee of Mr. M. Grabarkiewicz, Mr. T. Binairz, Mr. M. Sowinski, Mr. F. Lybik, Mr. M. Ignasiak and Mr. M. Dolinski began to formulate the parish. Securing lots on Tenth Street from the Welch Brothers Company, the Committee proceeded to gain the approval from Bishop John Y. Foley. With the Bishop's approval, the appointment of Father Bernard Zmijewski as the first pastor of Mt. Carmel was made. Until the church was built, Father Zmijewski held services at St. Patrick's.
[edit] Begining of the 20th Century
On December 3, 1899, the corner¬stone of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church was layed and the formal dedication of the completed structure was on July 8, 1900. The church also served as a school for the growing number of students of Polish decent. Classrooms were furnished in the basement and in 1901 the Felician Sisters began teaching the first and second grades. The cost of the church building and the school in 1899 was $26,961.15. Father Zmijewski built the rectory with his personal funds and founded a library of over 500 volumes of Polish and English Masters. The parish pushed ahead until February of 1906 when a disagreement arose between the church committee and the Pastor. Bishop Foley intervened and closed the church from February 18, 1906 to March 19, 1906. On April 27, Reverend Joseph Lempka became the second pastor of Mt. Carmel and remained there until 1909. Seeing the need to enlarge the parish grounds, Father Constatine Dziuk, third pastor, bought all the adjacent vacant property in 1909. Father Dziuk remained at Mt. Carmel for two years. He was succeeded by Reverend Alexander Grudzinski. During Father Grudzinski's pastorate, the present church was erected in 1915, the Sister's convent was built, and a new church organ was purchased. In 1918, Father Grudzinski was transferred to St. Francis Parish in Detroit. Reverend Adalbert Zadala then came to Mt. Carmel, but remained only 18 months. He was succeeded by Reverend Maximilian Gannas whose pastorate lasted only six months. Father Gannas is credited with making timely innovations in the Sister's convent and organizing a boy scout troup in the parish.
[edit] 1920's - 1940's
In 1920, Reverend Leon Jarecki assumed the leadership of Mt. Carmel Parish. But tragedy struck on April 1, 1921 when he was shot by an unknown assailant. Father Jarecki purchased the three bells now in use. They were named St. Stanislaus Kostka, The Holy Angels, and Our Lady Queen of Poland. Reverend Peter Kruszka, eighth pastor of Mt. Carmel, came in 1921. He remained for 17 years. Father Kruszka built an addition to the elementary school, installed a heating plant, enlarged the Sister's convent, and opened a complete high school in 1928. Due to failing health, in 1938 Father Kruszak left Mt. Carmel to rest, but her never regained his health and died in the spring of 1939. An administrator, Reverend Boleslaus Parzych was appointed in June, 1938. In the course of Father Parzych's stay the interior and exterior of the old school building was painted, the church roof was repainted, and the rate of interest of the parish was reduced.
On June 10, 1939, Reverend Ladislaus A. Krych was appointed pastor of Mt. Carmel by Edward Cardinal Mooney. Soon after charge Father Krych began the work of building and remodeling the physical and spiritual appearance of Mt. Carmel. The church building received immediate attention. The crumbling masonary was covered with lead and the church windows were reinstalled and properly encased. New ventilation had to be furnished and the whole church was rewired and re-equipped with a modern lighting system. The church organ was repaired and reconstructed. In January of 1942, the interior of the church was cleaned and repainted at the cost of $9000. With the church's new look came the need for new furnishings.
[edit] 50 Years
The Third Order of St. Francis, the Polish Alliance bought a new communion rail; benefactors and patrons purchased the high altar and the Altar Society bought the Tabernacle and the flower vases. Generous individual parishioners donated the monstrance, vestments, a pulpit, confessionals, and altar clothes. The altar boys worked to buy a shrine of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. In 1943 and 1944 numerous improvements were made to the Sister's convent, the school buildings and the church. The exterior of the church was washed and repaired and the brick was painted in 1945. The parish debt of $5,000 was entirely liquidated on January 15, 1946. The first time in many years the church had no creditors. Improvements such as a new roof for the school buildings, a new steam boiler, an automatic system of bell ringing and amplifiers for the church were added during 1947. The parish purchased a strip of real estate bordering Electric Street in 1948. Electric Street was closed and the land would be used for parish expansion. In 1949, Mt. Carmel celebrated its golden anniversary. For this sublime occasion the church was washed and refurnished at the cost of $5,180. The interior of the school was also repainted. After the 50th anniversary cele¬bration, work continued on parish improvements. The asphalt pavement was completed between the church and the school in 1950. With the winning of the Catholic and Parochial City Championships in football in 1951, the members of the parish built a field house for the athletes. A combination fieldhouse, consisting of a locker room, two dressing rooms, an equipment room, a utility room, and toilet facilities were built. The construction of a new gym was also completed. The cornerstone of the new rectory was blessed on August 24, 1951 by Father Krych. With the renovation of the church in 1951, an appeal was made by Father Krych for new pews. Individual parishioners purchased pews and memorial plates were placed on each one. The new pews were ordered in July of 1953 and were installed in September of 1953. Father Krych is also credited for starting a school band and from his personal funds purchased the first band uniforms. On March 17, 1956, Father Krych succumbed to heart disease. Respected by the whole community, Father Krych was mourned by thousands. He gave 17 years of unrelenting effort to leave the parish in a debt free status. Father Jerome Juchniewicz took over the reigns of Mt. Carmel in June, 1956.
[edit] Post Vatican Council II
Along with continuing the dream of building a new elementary school, Father Juchniewicz remodeled the tranished statue of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in 1960. He removed it from the center window of the front of the church and placed it on the side of the church. In addition to discharging his duties as pastor, Father Juchniewicz served as Chaplain of the Polish National Advocate and the Medical Dental Arts Association. On September 13, 1963 Father Juchniewicz suffered a fatal heart attack at Wyandotte General Hospital. Father Venanty Szymanski became the new Pastor of Mt. Carmel by appointment of the Chancery in September of 1963. Father Szymanski began full force in building the new elementary school. On October 30, 1966 the cornerstone of the new elementary school was blessed. Through the efforts of pastor's, Father Ladislaus Krych, Father Jerome Juchniewicz, and Father Venanty Szymanski the parish can boast of a beautiful grade school. In 1963 a financial crisis faced the Archdiocese of Detroit. Consolidation of high schools seemed to be the answer to many parishes' financial difficulties. Mt. Carmel was advised to join with St. Joseph's, St. Patrick's, St. Helen's, St. Stanislaus' and St. Elizabeth's on the building of a central high school. A public meeting of the parish was held and the parishoners decided to keep Our Lady of Mt. Carmel High School operating and not join the consolidation. Throughout the years the zealous parishoners have labored to keep Mt. Carmel a prosperous school. In early 1967 Father Szymanski suffered a stroke. Then began the long process of rehabilitation. When Father Szymanski was on the road to recovery he suffered another stroke on May 6, 1967. Recovery was a tedious job. Throughout his rehabilitation the parish continued to operate through the endeavors of his assistant, Father Stanley Redwick. Father Szymanski retired from the pastorate of Mt. Carmel in May, 1972. The parish was then under the administration of Father Stanley Konopka until August of 1972 when Father Stanley Redwick, former assistant assumed the duties of Mt. Carmel's new Pastor.
Father Redwick saw the need for many renovations in the school and in the parish. He began by remodling the kitchen into a modern well equipped facility. The rooms cannot only be used for meals but the adjoining room could be used by the various organizations for monthly meetings. With the 75th Diamond Jubilee Father Redwick initiated plans to repaint and repair the inside and outside of the church. A parish festival was planned for August of 1973 (which has continued annually to this day). The first festival profit of $85,000 was the result of the hard work of Father Redwick and the countless hundreds of parishoners who worked to make the event a success. Work on the church began in April, 1974. In addition to repainting the inside of the church, the roof needed various repairs. The stained glass windows were reset along with various other remodeling. In the early 1990's, Father Redwick abdicated the position as pastor due to his failing health and Father Walter J. Ptak became the new Pastor.
For over 100 years Mt. Carmel has had its ups and downs. We have weathered the storms of growth and have become a sunshining spiritually and physically prosperous community. The former Pastors, Assistants, and parishoners can indeed be proud of the countless hours they have unselfishly given to make Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish a tribute to the Catholic world. [2]
[edit] External links
| Preceded by Father Walter J. Ptak |
Pastors of Our Lady of Mount Carmel 1992–Present |
Succeeded by Incumbent |
