CHAPTER XII.

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CHURCHES, RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES, HOSPITALS AND CHARITIES

ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS

        For the early history of the Roman Catholic Church in this region we are indebted to an article written by John Hyde, editor of the Catholic Chronicle, which appeared in 1875, and from which the following is quoted:
    "Among those who most frequently came here prior to 1848, were Fathers Kundig and Louis, and Father Peter Kindekens, the vicar general of the diocese.   Between 1848 and 1852 priestly visits became more frequent.  Father Moynahan, then the pastor of Flint, made frequent trips to Saginaw City, and on most occasions would get some good Frenchman or Indian to paddle him down the river to Lower Saginaw.   Occasionally, too, Father Joseph Kindekens, brother of the Fathe Peter above mentioned, and Father Kilroy, now pastor of Emmett, St. Clair County, would be assigned to the duty of visiting the Catholics of the valley, and would be waited eagerly from the shore, as he approached in canoe or on the ice, carefully holding the pack containing his altar vestments and vessels.  In 1848 there were eight Catholic families here, most of whom were French.  By 1851 the number had increased to 14, besides a few young unmarried men, who had ventured in to help prepare the lands for their future wealthy occupants.   Among the 'old heads' were the Trombleys, the Trudells, the Longtains and the Marsacs, and among the men of the younger blood there were James L. Herbert, the brothers Casson, William Ferris and others.   I have said that most of the Catholics were Frenchmen, but what spot on earth can one look at without finding there an Irishman?  Lower Saginaw at that time was no exception.  Here too there were Irishmen.  Osmond A. Perrott, P. J. Perrott, Bernard Cunningham and James Watson.
    'In 1850 - 51, the Catholics of Lower Saginaw considered themselves numerous enough to attempt building a church.   The munificence and forethought of the men who had laid out the village plot had provided building sites for the different Christian denomination whose members might settle here.   The Catholics were the first to avail themselves of the bounty, and as the most convenient to the settled portion of the village, the site of the present St. Joseph's Church was selected.  There were no architects here then, but there were many who had assisted at every 'raising' that had ever occurred here, and knew just what a building needed to make it last long.   The men went into the woods to chop and square the timber, and each helped to put the pieces in their places in the edifice.   The men were few, however, no one of them were rich then (though many of them are now) and most of them had to support families besides building churches.   The work consequently progressed but slowly, so much so that when Rev. H. J. H. Schutjes arrived here in 1832, not much of a church was to be seen.   But they had now at least at their head one who could encourage and direct them; and after some time, by his efforts and their own will, the building gradually assumed shape, and Father Schutjes was soon able to perform divine service in it.   It was a long time, however, before a pastoral residence was built.   During this time Father Schutjes resided sometimes in the family of Mr. Watson and sometimes in the old pioneer hotel, the Wolverton House.
    "Those were the good old primitive times of Bay City, when sawmills were few and far between, and banks and newspapers were not even in the mind of the prophet.   Besides Lower Saginaw, Father Schutjes was pastor of the entire Saginaw Valley.  He had to divide his time between the people at this end of the river and those in the upper towns.   Every alternate Sunday he spent in Saginaw City and in East Saginaw, and in the spring and fall when the ice was bad and there were no roads, he often had great difficulty and many hairbreadth escapes in coming to and from those places.  But the growth in commerce and manufactures brought increase in population.
    "The number of Catholics kept pace with the general prosperity, and by the year 1863 they were numerous enough to require the appointment  of pastors for each of the cities of Saginaw City and East Saginaw.   Father Schutjes was then able to devote his attention to the wants of his people in Bay City.   Soon the little church of St. Joseph became to small for the increasing congregation.   Frenchmen came from Canada and Irishmen came from everywhere.   Besides those there were many stalwart Hollanders and Germans, so that Father Schutjes had to speak many languages to 'get along' with his people.   French and English, however, being the prevailing languages in the congregation he preached alternately in those two tongues until the year 1867.  At this period it was discovered that not one eighth of the congregation could get into St. Joseph's Church, so it was resolved at once to commence the building of a new church."
    From this point it will be better to trace individually the history of the Catholic churches
here.

ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH (French).

    From 1869, when Father Girad took charge of the parish, until 1900, when Rev. Francis H. Gres, the present pastor was appointed, the church had a rapid succession of pastors.   Father Girard remained until January 1, 1872.  Father Delbar succeeded him, but remained only until the last of the next December, and Father Cantors, his successor, remained only to August 31, 1873, and was succeeded by Father Van Straellen, a Hollander, who remained until March 21, 1875.  Father Frilli then again took charge and remained until June 30, 1878, when Father Keniper, a German, arrived and remained until October 19, 1879.  The priest who followed him died in 1880, and the next pastor, Father Ebert, remained only a short time.   Father Thibeaudau was next appointed and remained for six years.   He died in 1886, and was succeeded by Father Vitali, an Italian, who remained until August 21, 1887.   The next pastor, Father Guerin, remained but a few years.
    In 1888 the parish fell in sore straits suffering from the hard times.   Father Thibeaudau had built the new church in 1880, and a debt of $6,000 burdened the congregation, while the parsonage was practically a shed.   The parish was therefore placed under the charge of the Holy Ghost Fathers society, which relieved the diocese of the burden, while the parish still remained under the jurisdiction of the bishop.  Rev. F. J. Rothe C. S. Sp., was accordingly sent here in 1888.  On June 20, 1894, Father Gres, the present pastor, was appointed assistant.   When Father Rothe left in March, 1895, the debt of $6,000 had been cleared.   He was succeeded by Father Dangelzer, and the good work of the Holy Ghost Fathers was still furthered by the erection of a fine commodious parsonage at Third and Grant streets on property adjoining the church lot.   In 1900 Father Dangelzer returned to France, and Father Gres was appointed to the charge which he now holds.   Since 1900, Rev. Alphonse Coignard has been assistant. 
    The present St. Joseph's Church is a combination of church and school house.   The church was erected by Father Thibeaudau with a view to supplying a meeting place until a new church could be erected.  During the had time the new church project was given up.   Lately it has been revived by Fathers Gres and Coignard.  It being now the intention to have the foundations by November, 1906.  The new church will cost between $30,000 and $50,000.
    The parish now includes about 500 families and is one of the largest in the valley.  The wings of the church do duty as school rooms.  The attendance at school is nearly 380 pupils, who are taught by a corps of six Sisters of the Dominican Order.   In the rear of the church there is a roomy and well appointed residence for the Sisters.

ST. JAMES CHURCH.

    When it was found desirable to divide St. Joseph's congregation, ground was selected on the present site of St. James Church, and before the close of September of that year the new church was dedicated under the patronage of St. James the Apostle.  The church continued under the charge of Father Schutjes until June, 1873, when he was called to Detroit to assist the bishop in the affairs of the diocese.   His place was filled by the appointment of Rev. Thomas Rafter, a native of Monroe County, Michigan.  On December 12, 1884, the church was burned down, and as soon as possible the building of the present house of worship was commenced.   The structure is 150 by 75 feet, except the transept, which is about 90 feet wide.   The church, which seats about 1,400 was dedicated on Christmas Day, 1886.   Its cost, completely furnished, was about $60,000.   The present beautiful and commodious parochial residence was commenced in 1901 and completed in 1903.   Its cost was $12,000, exclusive of furnishings.   There are about 400 families in St. James parish.  Connected with the parish is one of the largest and best parochial schools in the city, having an attendance of 380 pupils.  The contract has been let for a new school house to be built of brick.  This will be located in the block just south of the church, and will cost about $13,000.

ST. STANISLAUS KOSTKA CHURCH (Polish).

    By 1847 the Polish population had grown to such proportions that it became necessary to provide for them a separate place of worship.   This was especially desirable as few of them had any knowledge of English.   William D. Fitzhugh, gave a site for the church, consisting of eight lots at the corner of Farragut and ____ Streets.  A house of worship costing about $4,000 was erected, and served the church until the spring of 1889.   At that time a parochial meeting was held at which it was decided to replace the frame building with a substantial brick structure.   To meet the expense, it was decided that each family of the parish should contribute $50; later this was found to be insufficient and the amount was raised to $60.   Work on the new edifice commenced in 1890, and the church was blessed on July 17, 1892.   The structure cost $61,000.   The parish at that time was under the charge of Rev. M. Matkowski.   He was succeeded by Rev. Anthony Bogacki, who was here only a few months.  His successor, Rev. Joseph Lewandowski, also served a few months as temporary pastor.
    On January 6, 1900, Rev. Edward Kozlowski assumed charge of the parish.  During his pastorate the debt of $5,000 which he found hanging over the church has been paid; the Sisters' house has been raised to two stories and entirely remodeled; the parochial residence has been raised and put on a stone foundation and renovated and repaired; extensive repairs have been made on the parochial school; electric lights installed in the church at an expense of $900; a beautiful main altar with over 800 electric lights has been built at a cost of $4,500, also two side altars at a cost of $2,000; two new confessionals have been built at an expense of $350, and a baptismal font at a cost of $400.   The towers of the church, which are 175 feet high, have been repaired and strengthened, the outside of the church painted and the crosses regilded with pure gold leaf.  The cost of the outside repairs upon the church reached a total of $2,000.   In 1994, Father Kozlowski had a new cement walk laid around the entire block.  This cost over $1,000.
    At present there are in this parish, not counting the missions, 1,300 families.   It has therefore been decided to divide the congregation.   The old Kinney farm at the corner of Cass and Michigan avenues has been purchased as a site for the new church.  The property which measures 600 by 272 feet cost $2,500.  Plans are being prepared for the erection of a school and church combined, the cost of which is estimated at $30,000.
    A new congregation of Poles has also been organized on the West Side, comprising about 80 families and they contemplate erecting a church next year.
    During the first three years of Father Kozlowski's pastorate he had for his assistant Dr. V. Wiszmewski, who subsequently died on the Island of Trinidad, whither he had gone for his health.   His successor was Rev. Joseph S. Kaminski, who as appointed April 17, 1903, and who still remains.   He is a young man full of zeal and an earnest worker.
    There are about 800 children in the parochial school connected with this parish, and besides these over 400 attend the public schools for lack of room in the parochial school.  There are at present 12 teachers employed in the school.   Funds are being collected to build a $30,000 school for this parish.
    In 1887, Father Kozlowski, who was then stationed at Midland, started a mission in Beaver township.   At that time St. Valentine's Mission, as it was called, comprised 29 families.  A school was built, and in this divine services were held once a month.   At the same time he started a mission for Poles in Auburn, and school was held alternately three months in Auburn and three months in Beaver.   In 1889 Father Kozlowski was transferred to St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Manistee, and these two missions were attended by the various pastors who were in charge of St. Stanislaus parish in Bay City.
    When Father Kozlowski was returned to this parish on January 6, 1900, he proceeded immediately to reorganize the Auburn mission.   A building site was purchased in Fisherville, two miles west of the old location and a nice stone and brick church was dedicated as St. Anthony's Church, on September 7, 1902.   The church is beautifully furnished and frescoed.   It has three altars.   The cost of the building was about $10,000.   Here divine service is held the second Sunday and the last Tuesday of every month.   The parish comprises about 75 Polish families.   School is held alternately six months in Fisherville and six months in Beaver.   At present there are a few more than 100 children enrolled in the schools.   The Beaver mission has also been reorganized.   Plans have been prepared for the erection of a new church, larger than the one in Fisherville.   It is expected that work on the new house of worship will begin during 1905, the cost of which is estimated at $15,000, including furnishings.   It will be of brick and stone.
    At Auburn there is also a Catholic mission for those who speak English.   This is in charge of Rev. D. Malone of Midland.   The English mission at Pinconning is in charge of Rev. Edward Rasette, and the one at Kawkawlin is ministered to by Rev. Eutrops Laglois, of Linwood.

ST. BONIFACE CHURCH (German).

    The year 1874 saw the organization of St. Boniface parish.   The German Catholics of Bay City, believing themselves sufficiently strong in population to forma an independent parish, set about the work and succeeded.
    Up to this time the German population of Bay City, with the people of other races, worshiped in St. Joseph's Church.   St. Joseph's becoming too small to accomodate the mixed congregation, the German citizens attended, for a time, St. James Church.  In the year above referred to they organized an independent parish, as suggested by the diocesan authorities.
    In 1874 Rev. Presser, D. D. took charge of the new parish.  Forty families constituted the population of the parish.  At the close of the year Father Presser resigned, and was succeeded by Father Rochowski.   In 1878 Rev. Joseph Ebert was appointed pastor of St. Boniface Church.   This priest labored incessantly to improve the parish and clear off indebtedness.   He built the Sisters' Home, Birney street and McKinley avenue.   After a pastorate extending to years, Father Ebert resigned in 1888, and went south, leaving a great portion of the parish debt cleared off.
    Rev. John A. Wyss, the present pastor, was appointed February 21, 1888.   He rebuilt the interior of the school house, and the Sisters' home was also rebuilt through his energy.   A lot at Lincoln and McKinley avenues was purchased by him to enlarge the school grounds.   Subsequently he bought another lot on Lincoln avenue to secure increase of ground for the church and parochial residence.
    As the old church was being crowded by the increase of the congregation, in 1879, steps were taken to erect a new building and St. John's Benevolent Society was formed to secure funds to help the project.   This society, with a determination that is commendable, kept, for 15 years, the purpose for which it was organized before the people.   In 1896 the construction of the new church began, the corner-stone being laid October 11, of the same year.
    For three years work on the new building continued, and on June 4, 1899, the church was solemnly consecrated.   Among those who attended were Bishop Richter, of Grand Rapids; Very Rev. Joseph Benning, V. G., and a number of Saginaw and Detroit priests.
    At the time of consecration the church was clear of debt, and has the distinction of being the only Catholic Church in the Saginaw Valley to be consecrated.
    The internal decorations of St. Boniface Church are of a high order.   Among the paintings representing scenes in the life of Christ and the Apostles are the "Last Supper", "SS Peter and Paul" and others of the saints.   A number of donated windows enhance the cathedral like aspect of the interior.
    In 1904 Father Wyss completed a handsome parochial residence, which cost $8,000.   The school of the parish of St. Boniface has about 150 pupils in attendance.   Father Wyss being superintendent and Sister Alberta of the Dominican Order, principal.   The corps of teachers is mad up of four Sisters, the principal and the superintendent.   English courses are taught as well as German.
    After the destruction by fire, in 1904, of the Holy Rosary Academy in Essexville, it wa decided to rebuild in the parish of St. Boniface.  Accordingly nine lots of land were purchased on Lincoln avenue adjoining the church and parochial residence, and work was commenced at once on a building 100 feet by 100 feet in dimensions, to be five stories high, the material being stone and pressed brick.   The cornerstone was laid in 1904.  The structure will have accommodations for 150 boarding students, while the class rooms will seat 300 pupils.  The academy is exclusively a school for young ladies, and beside those who make it their home, it is expected there will be a large attendance of pupils living nearby.   The structure will cost, it is estimated $60,000.   It will have every modern convenience, including an elevator, and no expense will be spared in adapting it perfectly to the uses for which it is designed.

ST. MARY'S CHURCH (West Side).

    In November, 1873, the building afterward used as a school house was dedicated as a church.   The erection of the present house of worship, was begun the later part of May, 1881, and was dedicated on the 30th of November, of the same year, by Rt. Rev. Casper H. Borgess, bishop of the Diocese of Detroit.   A very large share of the credit for the erection of this costly and beautiful church is due to Father Schutjes.  The parish was set off from Bay City in 1873, and the first pastor was Rev. M. G. Cantors.   Father Schutjes was made pastor of this church in the summer of 1880.  On March 1, 1888, Rev. John Sanson became assistant pastor, and continued in this capacity until Father Schutjes returned to Europe, when the former became pastor.   His successor was Rev. Joseph Schrembs, who was here 11 years, and was succeeded in October, 1900, by the present pastor, Rev. Edward A. Caldwell.   There are about 350 families in the parish.  When Father Caldwell took up his duties, he found the present parochial school in course of construction.  It is three stories high, and contains eight school rooms, a nice chapel in the basement and an auditorium on the third floor capable of seating 500  people.  The school is attended by 300 pupils.

NOTRE DAME DE LA VISITATION (West Side).

    In the early "nineties" the congregation of St. Mary's had become so large that it was decided to divide it, and to organize the French members into another church.  Land was secured at the corner of State and Smith streets, West Bay City, and in the fall of 1895 the work of building the basement of the church was completed.   This is of stone.   For the past 10 years services have been held in this basement.   The completed church will cost between $50,000 and $60,000.   Of this amount $10,000 was contributed by St. Mary's Church in accordance with the custom which requires that portion of a divided congregation which retains the property to contribute an equitable share of its value to the new church.  When the new French church was organized, Rev. John Sanson was appointed its priest, and retained in charge until September 22, 1894, where he was succeeded by the present pastor, Father Poulin.   The present fine parochial school building was completed in the early "nineties" at a cost of $10,000.   There are now about 500 families in the parish.

    ST. JOHN'S CHURCH (Essexville).

    In 1884, Father Rafter started a mission in Essexville.  At that time he built the present parochial school building, but used it for a temporary place of worship until the present St. John's Church was ready for occupancy.   Work on this edifice was commenced in 1889, and the church was dedicated in 1894.  The church has a seating capacity of about 700.  There are about 365 families in the parish.   The parochial residence was builit in 1888.  Rev. Cornelius Roche was the first priest appointed to this parish, and he remained until his death by drowning in June, 1901.  He was succeeded by Rev. Peter Bresson, who was pastor for two years and nine months.   Rev. R. G. Van Rooy, the present priest, became pastor on March 17, 1904.
    The Holy Rosary Academy, a boarding school for girls, which is presided over by the Dominican Sisters, was built by them in 1898.   This was destroyed by fire on March 12, 1904 and on its site a beautiful brick residence for the Sisters is being erected.   The building is two a a half stories high and will be completed during the summer of 1905.
    In connection with St. John's Church there is also a parochial school in which are enrolled 265 pupils.

SACRED HEART CHURCH (Kawkawlin).

    In1891 a mission was started here by Father Sanson, and later was continued by Father Schrembs.   The parish at that time comprised about 75 families.   At first divine services were held in halls.   When the mission came under the charge of Rev. Entrope Langlois in 1894, a frame church was in course of construction.   This was completed in 1897, and soon after was destroyed by fire.   Father Roche of Essexville was next given charge of the mission, and he laid the foundation for a church edifice.   After his death, Father Langlois was again appointed to this charge, and he completed the present church which is of brick and 55 by 85 feet in dimensions.   The structure cost between $8,000 and $9,000 and the congregation now has in hand a fund which will nearly pay for a parsonage.