St. Thomas Apostle Parish Was Formally Organized in 1916. the Fo
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MILESTONES IN THE LIFE OF OUR PARISH (Saint Thomas the Apostle) St. Thomas Apostle Parish was formally organized in 1916. The founders were a mixed group of immigrants, and, the parish-compound they eventually re- alized was built mostly on the nickels and dimes which they could ill afford and on the strong determination to build a House of God they could call their own. Perhaps a short outline of general conditions at that time, will give the reader more understanding of the trials and tribulations of our hardy pioneers, whose labor of love is our priceless inheritance today. European immigration, which had virtually ceased during World War I, be- gan to skyrocket after 1919 until it was sharply curtailed in 1923. On the other hand, a post-war boom was born and grew under the stimulation of installment credit and mechanical inventions, coupled by increasing productivity and demand. With their publications, secular and religious organizations, schools and churches, the immigrant-settlers of Detroit formed well-knit communities in east- ern and western areas. By 1923 immigrant families occupied about one-fourth of the city's one hundred some miles of territory. They were an integral part of "Dynamic Detroit", adding to its growth and affected by its rapidly changing social and economic conditions, contributing to and sharing in its many problems. On this historical-tapestry of Detroit, we wish to point to dates which we feel are most significant in the history of St. Thomas Apostle Parish: 1916 SEPTEMBER 10: Father Stanley S. Skrzycki appointed Pastor of Saint Thomas Apostle Parish, Detroit, Michigan. SEPTEMBER 24: Father Skrzycki holds first services in a small store at the corner of Harper and Carrie Avenues. OCTOBER 2: The pastor initiates census-taking of his parishioners. DECEMBER 6: Land is purchased for the present parish buildings of Saint Thomas Apostle Parish. 1917 JANUARY 15: Architect Edward Schilling draws up plans and specifications for the first Church and School Building, to be located on the corner of Saint Thomas and Wallace Avenues. FEBRUARY 24: Ground is broken for the new Church and School. MARCH 1: Contracts are let for construction of the new buildings. JUNE 10: Saint Ann Society is organized with 39 members present at the first- meeting. AUGUST 13: Excavation begins for the new Rectory. OCTOBER 7: Services are held for the first time in the new Church. OCTOBER 24: Three Sisters of Saint Joseph, Order of St. Francis, from Garfield Heights, Ohio, with Sister Mary Priscilla as Superior, arrive to teach at the School, consisting of 160 pupils in five classrooms located in the basement of the Church. 1 NOVEMBER 6: Classes are formally opened. NOVEMBER 8: The pastor makes his home in the new Rectory. NOVEMBER 11: Dedication of the new Church by Auxiliary Bishop Edward D. Kelly at 10:30 a.m., followed by a reception for all guests present. 1918 JANUARYS: Death of Bishop John S. Foley, D.D. , Ordinary of the Diocese of Detroit. FEBRUARY 10: The Main altar of the Church, donated by St. Ann's Society, is blessed. APRIL 7: The Church bell is blessed. SEPTEMBER 3: A Red Cross Unit is organized in the parish. OCTOBER 6: First Mission is held, with a week in the Polish language, con- ducted by Franciscan Fathers, and a week in the English language, directed by Redemptorist Fathers. NOVEMBER 17: The Most Reverend Michael J. Gallagher, D.D.arrives in Detroit to succeed Bishop Foley, as Ordinary of the Detroit Diocese. 1919 JANUARY 7: Saint Vincent de Paul Society is organized to serve the needy of the parish. MAY 4: Saint Joseph's Society, Group 1163 of the Polish Roman Catholic Union, is organized. JUNE 22: First Holy Communion and Confirmation Services mark the first visit of Bishop Michael Gallagher to St. Thomas Apostle Parish. JULY 20: A lay committee meets for the purpose of considering the building of a temporary School Unit to care for the increasing number of pupils. JULY 28: Work begins on the projected temporary School Building. SEPTEMBER 22: The School is blessed, and classes commence the following morning. 1920 JANUARY 11: Branch 1397 of the Ladies' Catholic Benevolent Society is organized. JANUARY 18: A Chapter of the Holy Name Society is founded, with 300 mem- bers present at the first meeting. MARCH 13 : Father Albert Mrowka begins his duties as the first assistant-priest to be appointed to St. Thomas. DECEMBER 5: A specially designated lay committee meets with a view of building a new permanent School Building. 2 1921 JANUARY 16: The first of the many successful retreats takes place, with Father John R. Hackett preaching in English, and Father Albert Zadala directing the Services in Polish. APRIL 19: The Church Committee appeals for a loan to begin the construction of a new School Building. MAY 2: Ground is broken for the new School Building. OCTOBER 24: The first Harvest Festival is held. NO V E M BE R 27: Bishop Michael Gallagher dedicates the new School. 1922 JANUARY 21: Pope Benedict VX dies and the parish goes into mourning. JANUARY 22: First dance of the Ushers' Club is held. FEBRUARY 16: First F at he rs' and Sons' Party, arranged by the Holy Name Society, takes place. SEPTEMBER 2: A Chapter of the Big Brothers is organized. 1923 MAY 7: With an increase of parishioners, a second assistant-priest is ap- pointed in the person of Father Joseph S. Bartkowiak. OCTOBER 21: The first issue of the Saint Thomas News, a weekly, appears. NOVEMBER 19: The formation of the Harper-Van Dyke Businessmen's As- sociation takes place in Saint Thomas Auditorium. 1924 FEBRUARY 6: Messrs. John Shaughnessy, John Hafeli, Joseph Simowski, Adam Przybylski, and John Klepaczyk are appointed to serve on the special committee to consider the building of a new Church. MARCH 30: Bishop Michael Gallagher grants permission to build the Church. MAY 11: A Solemn High Mass is celebrated for the success of the campaign for funds to build a permanent Church. MAY 20: Father Joseph Plagens named Auxiliary Bishop-Elect for the Diocese of Detroit. JUNE 29: F a t h e r Chester Lipinski celebrates his First Solemn Mass. AUGUST 17: Plans for the permanent Church are completed and approved by Bishop Michael Gallagher. SEPTEMBER 28: Ground breaking ceremonies for the new Church takes place. DECEMBER 21: The cornerstone is laid for the new Church. 1925 APRIL 19: The Sisters of Saint Joseph our teaching-nuns, solicit financial aid from the parish to build their mother-house in Cleveland, Ohio. DECEMBER 13: Saint Thomas Good-fellows are organized and open their first drive to assist the poor of the parish at Christmas time. 3 1926 MARCH 25: A Council of Knights of Saint John are organized in the parish. MARCH 26: Bishop Edward D. Kelly dies and a period of diocesan-wide mourning begins. AUGUST 22: Holy Mass is celebrated for the first time in the permanent Church. SEPTEMBER 18: Ground is broken ind construction started on the new Rectory. NOVEMBER 21: The new organ, by Casant F e re r s, St. H y a c i n t h e , Q u ebec, is dedicated and a concert of sacred music is given by Rev. F. Joseph Kelly. 1927 APRIL 24: First Mission is given in permanent Church. JULY 10: The Roman Catholic Census, .taken at the r e q u e s t of the United States Government, shows a total of over 12,500 Catholics within the parish limits. AUGUST 21: The pastor and assistant-priests occupy the new Rectory. OCTOBER 16: Father Stanley S. Skrzycki receives an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws from the Very Rev. John P. McNichols SJ, President of the University of Detroit. 1928 MAY 25: Bishop Joseph Plagens consecrates the main altar of the permanent Church. JUNE 3: Bishop Michael Gallagher dedicates the new Church; the services were perhaps the most colorful and inspiring in the history of the parish. 1929 F E B R U A R Y 28: Weekly-envelope system inaugurated in the parish with great enthusiasm. MARCH 24: Auditorium is repaired and redecorated, and provided with a complete ventilating system. JUNE 16: Saint Thomas School graduates a record class. DECEMBER 22: The new Pulpit is blessed. 1930 MARCH 23: The first meeting-dance of the Saint Thomas Alumni is held. MAY 18: A closed retreat for men of the parish, to be held at Manresa, is announced. 1931 JUNE 27: Solicitors for the Catholic Extension Society conduct subscription drive in the parish. JUNE 20: The last appointment for the sanctuary, six altar candle sticks, are blessed — a gift of the Altar Society, completing the promised combination-gift of sanctuary furniture, chimes and altar crucifix. 1932 JULY 10: State Convention of the Polish Roman Catholic Association is held in the parish auditorium. 4 AUGUST 21: Census of parishioners is begun. SEPTEMBER 4: Saint Thomas News is revived after a two year recess. SEPTEMBER 4: A special class of religious instruction for prospective con- verts is started. 1933 FEBRUARY 5: A troop of the Boy Scouts is formed by Father Peter Widlak and Mr. Albert Tomlian. 1934 MARCH 4: A two Week Mission opens, with Divine Word andPassionist Fathers conducting the Services. 1935 JUNE 2: Father S. S. Skrzycki marks a quarter century of service to God and the Church by offering a Solemn High Mass of Thanksgiving on the occasion of his Silver Jubilee in the priesthood. JUNE 4: Father S. S. Skrzycki marks his Silver Jubilee in banquet with Bishop Michael Gallagher and a host of priest-friends .