Saint Alphonsus High School - Arrow Yearbook (Dearborn, MI)

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Reverend John A. Klich Our Beloved Pastor

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 Proposed N ew Si» Alpk Oil SMS MFC :c: ;:u The above represents the proposed new St. Alphonsus Church which will be located at Gould Avenue and Calhoun Street. It will be Gothic in design and of brick construction and the architectural and engineering work will be done by Arthur Des Rosier.

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Parisii History . GEORGE GOD E? Pastor 1873-1883 5ROM out the dawn of the long ago silvery peals arise to gladden our hearts today as we listen to their joyous strain. How many a loved voice of old—voices long since hushed, come to us on wings of memory — voices that cheered and sustained in t h e early days. Their hearty thrill blends in rapturous harmony as ring out the chimes of seventy-five years. The history of St. Alphonsus Church dates back to the year eighteen forty-two, when the clear October sky canopied a scene vastly differ- ent from that which surrounds us today. When the first Catholic settlers established themselves in this locality it was little more than an uninhab- ited wilderness. These settlers built little log cab- ins for themselves along the various Indian trails. Many were the difficulties which confronted them and the hardships they had to endure. Being unable to erect a church at that time, these zealous Catholics of this district, known as Greenfield, tendered the use of their humble abodes to the Redemptorist Fathers of Detroit, who came out at various intervals and said Mass, the first Mass being celebrated on Whitsunday at the Esper home. Reverend Ernest Glaunach was entrusted with the work. Plans for the building of a church were soon made and on the ninth Sunday after Pentecost eighteen fifty-two the corner stone was laid. On October tenth, eighteen fifty- two, a new church in honor of St. Alphonsus was dedicated by Right Reverend Bishop Peter LeFevre. Father Glaunauch labored most zealously for his parishioners. After his death, the work was carried on by Reverend Father DeDyche, who offi- ciated every Sunday. The Redemptorist Fathers remained in charge until eighteen fifty-four, after which services were conducted by Reverend F. X. Roth until eighteen fifty-six. To celebrate the Jubilee declared by the Holy Father in eighteen fifty-five a mission was given in St. Alphonsus Parish. About this time the name of this district was changed to that of Springwells. In eighteen fifty-eight the parish was again in charge of the Redemptorist Fathers, Reverend Father Macicejewski conducting the services from eighteen fifty-eight to eighteen sixty, during which time a parochial residence was erected. From eighteen sixty-one to eighteen seventy-three Reverend Chas. Chambelle was in charge, after which Reverend George Godez officiated up to the time of his death, January fourteenth, eighteen eighty-three. In eighteen seventy-three he began the construction of the present church edifice, which was completed under his supervision in eighteen seventy-four. After the death of Father Godez the Capuchin Fathers conducted the services until June tenth, eighteen ninety-seven.