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

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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.

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Reverend John A. Klich Our Beloved Pastor

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■yl I phon omaru at which time Right Reverend Bishop John S. Foley appointed as rector of this parish, Reverend A. J. Buechsenmann, under whom the Golden Jubilee of the Church was celebrated, October, nineteen hundred two. For twenty-three years Father Beuchsenmann labored zealously in building up this new country regardless of the many difficulties connected with his high calling, but love for God and zeal for souls overcame every obstacle. Knowing the necessity of education as the foundation and support of re- ligion a little log school house was built in eighteen forty-six on the farm just opposite the present church site. In this rude structure school was taught until eighteen sixty-two, when the old brick school, which still stands, was erected. The school was presided over by male teachers until eighteen eighty-one when the Sisters of St. Agnes were appointed as teachers. In eighteen ninety-seven these Sisters were replacd by the Sisters of St. Dominic of Adrian, Michigan. The Parish Cemetery was at the west side of the church until eighteen seventy-six when the grounds were laid out at the north end of the church prop- erty. In nineteen-four the present Rectory was built. Reverend Monsignore John S. Mies succeeded Reverend A. J. Beuchsenmann in nineteen twenty. He foresaw the inevitable growth of the parish and bent his influence and efforts toward the erection of the first unit of the present school structure, which was built in nineteen twenty-one and a High School Depart- ment was at once established. During his pastorate a vast amount of work was accomplished. Our present pastor, Reverend John A. Klich, succeeded Monsignor Mies in nineteen twenty-three, and under his direction a beautiful convent to accommo- date twenty-four Sisters was built in nineteen twenty-four and our splendid mod- ernly equipped school was completed in nineteen twenty-six. These stately edifices that adorn our parish today are monuments of his zeal. Thus has he sought the interests of even the least of his flock—has provided for the earlier as well as the maturer years, fashioning not only for what is best in this life, but for the eternal life to come. Seventy-five years, glorious years freighted with life’s full vigoi;, how mani- fold the labors in these seventy-five years as recorded in the Book of Life! Then ring out, ye Jubilee Chimes; ring out the glad tidings over all the city round; let every vale and mount and rill, that has witnessed the trials and triumphs of these seventy-five years, resound and re- verberate to the commingled har- mony of labor and success. Yes, the joy that so thrills our hearts today sheds a glory all about us and wells over to bathe in refresh- ing balm all the splendors of the jubilee morn. [9]