History of St. Mary's Parish shows steady, solid growth St. Mary's Assumption Church & Rectory, Bronson, MI, 1867-1967 Centennial, p. 7-11. CAP at Orchard Lake. The early history of the Catholic religious life in Bronson goes back to the time of the Rev. Fr. Charles Rychaert, who was then stationed in Hillsdale (1858-1866) and came to Bronson to offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass in the homes of the few Catholic families that had come to this part of the country, mostly from Poland and Ireland. There is no doubt, however, that the great French Missionaries and explorers, Fathers Marquette, Allouez and Hennepin, were the first white men to explore the area, then inhabited by the Pottawattomie Indians. The first white man to estblish residence in Branch County was John Bronson, in 1828. It was in his honor that the City of Bronson was named. EARLY CATHOLIC FAMILIES Michael Bogacz (Bogart), Michael Bykowski, Julius Beyer, Michael Coleman, James Cunningham, Michael Carrol, John Czajkowski 1844-1907, Catherine Daly 1827-1894, Cornelius Daly 1834-1912, Michael Dunn 1817-1890, John Dorn 1822-1896, Michael Dorn, Michalina Gonia 1826-1914, John Herman 1844-1905, Timothy Hurley, Francis Kavanaugh 1824-1912, James Kolassa 1841-1931, Stanley Kibiloski, John Klawinski, Thomas Kane 1808-1889, John Kosmicki 1834-1913, Jacob Kruszka 1855-1935, Patrick Kehoe 1825-1899, John Kehoe 1865-1946, Joseph Kazmierczak, Vincent Ławniczak 1848-1940, Joseph Ludwiczak, Patrick Mecham, Stanley Malawy, John Nowacki 1812-1875, John Nowaskie 1848-1923, Albert Pawlicki, Jacob Stefański 1808-1907, Michael Stefański 1854-1931, Stephan Sikorski 1859-1958, Jeremiasz Smolka, John Stachowiak, George Wrobleski, Frank Yesh (Jeż) 1856-1941, Thomas Zieliski. Records show that most of these people established their residences in Bronson from 1840 to 1860; some a little later. Many others not mentioned followed. ONCE-A-MONTH MASS Rev. Fr. Rychaert, the zealous pioneer Priest, said Mass at least once a month, usually at the residence of James Cunningham. In 1867, Father Cornelius Korst became the resident pastor at St. Charles in Coldwater and took over the Bronson Mission. He immediately bought a house from Michael Coleman. The zealous pioneers with their pastor remodeled 1
the home into a small mission church and named it in honor of the Assumption of the Blessed Mother. Within ten years this little church was much too small so in 1876 Father Korst bought two lots on the corner of Matteson and Filmore Streets and built a frame church to accommo date the growing population. FRAME CHURCH BURNED In 1884, a resident pastor was appointed, the Rev. Fr. Francis Kroll. A rectory was built near the church. In 1885, on January 5th, the wooden frame church burned to the ground, during the night. Nothing was saved. The next day was Sunday and the devout people who came to church not knowing it had burned, found a heap of ashes and the Bronson Catholics were without a church. For over a year the Sacrifice of the Mass was offered in the town hall on Matteson Street. Rev. Fr. Francis Kroll, after the disastrous fire organized the parishioners who generously responded with funds, material donations and donated labor. Everyone helped, even children did their share and donated labor. A new brick church was built with a seating capacity of 300 persons. It was completed in 1886 at the cost of $5,000 and had only a small debt. PAROCHIAL SCHOOL STARTED In 1890, Father- Kroll was transferred and Father Cornelius Korst, who had organized the parish in 1867, became pastor again and remained until 1893. He was succeeded by Father John Hewelt, who in 1901 built a four room school and parish hall which served to educate children until 1956. The Dominican Sisters from Adrian, Michigan, were in charge of the school for a time, but they left and the Felician Sisters, whose mother house was in Detroit, took over in 1903. The school, when opened, had an attendance of 75 children. RECTORY ENLARGED The Rev. Fr. William Maruszczyk replaced Father Hewelt in 1906. Four years later the Sisters' home was built. He also enlarged the small rectory into a suitable priest's residence, which served this purpose until 1956, and served as the residence for the Sisters from 1956 to 1958. Then came other pastors as follows: Fr. Adalbert Zadala, 1917-18; Fr. Leo Jarecki, 1918-20; Fr. Rachael Chrzaszcz, 1920-22; Fr. Boleslaw Stefański, 1922-32; Fr. Michael J. Tabor, 1932-54. Fr. Michael Tabor, who was pastor of St. Mary's for 22 years, realized the growth of the parish, convinced the parishioners that expansion was necessary. Economizing on everything he could, he successfully saved 150,000 dollars from the Sunday collections, fund contributions, picnics, bazaars, etc., for the purpose of the parish expansion. Due to ill health, Fr. Tabor retired. BUILDING PROGRAM STARTS In July 1954, the Rev. Fr. Stanislaus A. Nowakowski, who was pastor at the Sacred Heart Parish at Bangor, Michigan, was appointed pastor of St. Mary's Assumption Church in Bronson by the Most Rev. Joseph H. Albers. His instructions from the chancery office were to locate and purchase a new site for the parish suitable for future expansion. The new property, consisting of 13 acres, was purchased. It was located on the West edge of the City of Bronson, bounded on the South by Chicago Street (US-12) and on the North by Union Street, 2
on the East by Division Street and on the West by Albers Road. Albers Road was named in honor of the Bishop on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of his episcopacy. The majority of this newly acquired property was purchased from Frank and Elizabeth Yesh and the smaller portion from Frank and Helen Kubasiak. As soon as the property was purchased in January of 1955, plans for a new church and school were started. Haughey and Black, architects of Battle Creek, were approved by Bishop Albers to draw up the plans. The new project of the parish came up to $450,000.00. SUCCESSFUL FUND DRIVE In May of 1955, the parish started their big building fund drive. The building fund committee consisted of Edward Ludwick as chairman, Francis H. Beaudin, secretary, and committee members Laddie Wotta, Edward Kolassa, Floyd Kibiloski and Harold Russell. The pledge drive was a success amounting to $143,000.00. The breaking of the ground took place on September 25, 1955, and the laying and blessing of the cornerstones on March 4, 1956. The Rt. Rev. Msgr. Charles Keating, Dean of the Kalamazoo Deanery, officiated. He was assisted by the pastor, Father Nowakowski, and the following priests from neighboring parishes: Fr. George Higgins, Coldwater; Fr. Frank Burger, Three Rivers; Fr. Benjamin Ginther, Vicksburg; Fr. Norbert Wheeler, Hillsdale; Fr. Gerald Owens, Battle Creek and Fr. Joseph Bartkowiak, Kalamazoo. Dedication of the new Church and School took place on Nevember 4, 1956. The Most Rev. Joseph H. Albers blessed the new buildings. The Knights of Columbus Assembly of Bronson was the honorary guard to the Bishop. Father Stanislaus A. Nowakowski, pastor, was the celebrant of the Solemn High Mass "Coram Episcopo" assisted by Fr. Andrew Wotta, deacon, Orchard Lake; Fr. Gerald Owens, Battle Creek, subdeacon; Fr. Bernard Beahan, Sturgis, master of ceremonies. Fr. Joseph Bartkowiak, Kalamazoo, preached the sermon. Other priests attending were: Fr. George Higgins, Jackson; Fr. Adolf Oser, Battle Creek; Fr. Norbert Wheeler, Hillsdale; Fr. Gilbert Gruss, Coldwater; Fr. Joseph Green, Lansing; Fr. Anthony Majewski, Hamtramck; Fr. Francis Lukasiewicz, Detroit; Rt. Rev. Msgr. Jerome Smalarz, Dertoit. Also hundreds of parishioners and friends participated in the dedication ceremonies. CONVENT After the parish had moved to the new location of West Chicago and Albers Road, the Sisters moved from the old convent, built in 1910, to the former rectory on Fillmore Street and lived there two years. Late in 1957, the parish building fund committee, i.e., Harold Russell, Edward Ludwick, Laddie Wotta, Floyd Kibiloski, Francis Beaudin, Edward Kolassa, met with the pastor and discussed the further progress of the parish. The need of a new convent was a must. With the approval of the Chancery Office, Haughey and Black, architects of Battle Creek, drew the plans. Ray Roussey was given the contract. (4 bidders). Ground breaking took place March 17, 1958. Sister M. Herminia, the Superior and the other four nuns, Sister M. Perpetua, Sister M. Septimia, Sister M. Collomane, Sister M. Alphonsetta, assisted in the ceremonies. The Sisters moved into the new convent October 4, 1958. The cost of the convent was $90,000.00. 3
PARISH ADMINISTRATION BUILDING RECTORY The house that was on the new property of the parish bought in 1955 was remodeled and served as the pastor's home until 1961; but being inadequate as a parish administration building it was decided to put up another new building. A Committee of Fred Hogan, as chairman, Edward Hyska, Bernard Kowalski, Leo Smith, Fabian Wotta, Harry Marz, took up the project. Plans drawn by Haughey and Black, architects, were approved and the contract was awarded to one of the five bidders, Edward Ludwick, at the cost of $87,500.00. Work on the building began July 11, 1960, and it was occupied on February 14, 1961. SCHOOL A parish school is very important in the life and existence not only of the parish but also a great benefit to the whole church wherever it may be. The Catholic parents who understand the value of Catholic education, make great effort and sacrifice to give their children what they need most that is a good solid responsible Catholic education. They remember the words of the Lord, "What good is it for man to gain the whole world and lose his soul." The first school of the parish was built in 1901 on N. Matteson and Fillmore Streets with four classrooms and a parish hall. This school served the children to 1956. In the 1955 parish building program, a new school of six class rooms was built, plus a fine assembly room. Only five rooms were used in the first two years. It looked as if the school would be big enough for many years to come, but things soon changed. The school became overcrowded. The pastor studied the situation with societies and responsible parishioners. A committee was appointed of Robert Stevens, as Chairman, with others as follows: Raymond Wotta, Frank Czajkowski, Theo L. Sobeske, Alby Łosiński, Frank Yesh and Clyde Kibiloski. The committee with the pastor studied the need of expansion. It was decided to add four more rooms and a good size gym with stage, kitchen, showers and all necessities. Since Haughey, Black, and Associates, Architects of Battle Creek, drew all the plans for the existing buildings, it was decided to let them complete the rest that was left to be built. The general contract was awarded to Roy Roussey Construction Company, one of the four bidders. The ground was broken May 7, 1965. The classrooms were occupied in October, the gym late in February 1966. The cost of this addition was $252,630.00. So what do we have as far as the school is concerned, Eight well equipped classrooms, Large fine assembly room, Science room, Well-equipped library having 1,500 books. A gym with a basketball court 40' x 80' bleacher seats, large stage, showers, well equipped kitchen. The parishioners have invested over $900, 000.00 in property, buildings, equipment and improvements in the new parish on W. Chicago and Albers Rd. 4
Rev. Fr. John McQueen 1899 Rev. Fr. Peter Kruszka 1915 Rev. Fr. Andrew Wotta 1926 Rev. Fr. Benignus Herman O.F.M. 1959. Bro. X. Łosiński 1900 (?), Bro. Francis Horkey 1953. The Dominican Order: Sister M. Alphonsina (Ławniczak), Sister Mary Louis. The Sacred Heart Order: Sister M. Silveria (Kościelny). The Mercy Order: Sister Agnes Michaella (Mary Kolassa). The St. Francis Order: Sister M. Karen (Barbara Yesh). The Felician Order: Sister M. Andreen (Mary Ann Smith) Sister M. Albertann (Constance Ratkowski) Sister M. Bartholemew (Sikorski) Sister M. Bozene (Helen Horkey) Sister M. Domicela (Sikorski) Sister M. Mathilda (Josephine Wotta) Sister M. Norberta (Mary Haciak) Sister M. Petronia (Leona Nowak). VOCATIONS TO THE SPECIAL SERVICE OF GOD PASTORS WHO SERVED THE PARISH IN THE PAST 100 YEARS. Cornelius Korst 1867-1884 Francis Kroll 1884-1890 Cornelius Korst 1890-1893 Casimir Rohowski. C.P.P.S. 1893-1899 John B. Hewelt 1899-1906 Wilhelm Maruszczyk 1906-1917 Adalbert Zadała 1917-1018 Leo Jarecki 1918-1920 Raphael Chrząszcz 1920-1922 Bolesław Stefański 1922-1932 Michael J. Tabor 1932-1954 Stanislaus A. Nowakowski 1954-1967 5