St. Joseph Parish at 254 Sixth St., Manistee, MI 49660 US - St. Joseph Parish History
| St. Joseph Parish History |
In the Beginning Renovations of 1895 & 1909 Our Golden Jubilee Renovation of 1941 1977 Pictorial Directory In the Beginning Written by Steve Harold for The Manistee News-Advocate, (date unknown)with the title St. Mary's Church. The first Catholic church in Manistee, dating to 1862, was St. Mary's of Mt. Carmel, and, as Catholic pioneers and immigrants came to the area, they joined that church. For two decades the church was overwhelmed by new members and never had enough room. By 1884, 6,000 local residents were members of the church, while at least 2,500 attended services every Sunday. The largest distinct group in St. Mary's was the Polish, and in June of 1881, after a visit by the Bishop and a commitment for a separate priest, they commenced plans for a separate congregation. Over the next several years Polish priests frequently visited to assist in the formation of the church and to help Father Callaert with the large congregation. Construction on the new church building actually started in 1882. In September, eight lots were purchased from George A. Hart, who reportedly sold the lots to the congregation at half price. A building measuring 140' by 51' was planned, and construction commenced with the digging of a basement and the laying of a stone foundation. On December 18 a cornerstone was laid, and at about the same time a contract was let to F. X. Magnan for the actual construction. By the following March the frame was up, and local newspapers carried the first description of the new structure:
"The building is to be 54 by 146 feet, including two towers - one on each side. It will be one story in height, with a gallery, the stairways leading into the towers, and thence into the gallery. There will be one immense audience room on the first floor. The contract calls for the completion of the wood work by the first of July next. It will be veneered with brick of two colors - white, trimmed with red - all of Milwaukee manufacture. The windows will be in the Gothic style with stained glass, six on each side. It will have a glass front, and all the latest improvements in church architecture. The estimated cost of the building is $18,000, and the entire work is to be completed and ready for church services next Fall."Sadly, Manistee was swept by a high wind in mid-May of 1883, and the entire structure of the new church was blown down. There was considerable debate as to whether faulty design or construction was the cause, but in any case, reconstruction started immediately. A total of $5,000 had been invested, and there was no insurance. The congregation started to rebuild on the original plan with only $25 in their treasury. Within six weeks the building was back up to the point it had been before the disaster. F. X. Magnan had redesigned the building "according to his own ideas of strength and endurance" and felt the new structure could withstand any wind-storm. After this optimistic report of St. Joseph's there are further details of the construction and occupation of the new building. In October of 1883 Bishop Richter made his regular visit to St. Mary's [and] in conclusion addressed the Polish in German, encouraging them in their work on the building and promising a priest as soon as it was completed. The following September a Reverend Candid Kozlowski arrived at St. Mary's in anticipation of a December 15, 1884 completion of the building. The church may not have been completed in December, for it was the following May before another priest, Father Mateusz Grochowski, was assigned to the congregation. On June 14, 1885, a committee consisting of Valentine Purgiel, Felix Kukla, Matthew Sielski, and Stanislaus Cichy was appointed to oversee the affairs of the church. The Polish congregation finally had their own church after a four-year struggle.
Renovations of 1895 & 1909 Written by Steve Harold for The Manistee News Advocate, November 11, 1995, with the title St. Joseph Church Altar,. Over the 111 years of its existence St. Joseph's Church has had a number of ornate interiors, and a hundred years ago it had just received a magnificent new altar of which the congregation was justifiably proud. The effect was described in the Manistee Daily News as one of "making this church the most beautiful in the city," unusual praise from a newspaper which rarely reported activities at St. Joseph's. The new interior was described as follows by the newspaper:
"The main, or central, sanctuary consists of spires and pinnacles beautifully fretted and carved, delicately colored, and overlaid with gold leaf. In the center of this altar is a complete tabernacle, in imitation of white Cara marble richly gilded. In the center, above this tabernacle, is a large statue of St. Joseph; on the right, St. John Nepomuk; and on the left, St. John Cantius. Two new corner pieces have been constructed, one on each side of the main sanctuary, which contain, respectively, statues of St. Adalbert and St. Stanislaus, two martyred bishops of Poland. These statues were carved by Burns of Manistee, whose work certainly deserves abundant praise. "The foundation of the main altar is green marble, and the structure is of 'Mensa.' the wainscoting roundabout is of rich grain work, having a foundation of green marble. In front of the main altar hangs an enormous gilded sanctuary lamp, imported by the well-known firm of Benzinger Brothers, and the largest ever imported by that firm into the United States. "Like the central shrine, the right and left altars are each embellished with three large statues. The central statue of the right altar represents the Virgin Mary carrying the infant Savior in her arms; on the right of this is the statue of St. Dominic, on the left of it, St. Francis. Around all three images are a number of colored globes containing gas light. Around the upper part of the altar runs a semi-circular tube bearing gas-lighted letters with the inscription, 'O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us!' When illuminated, this altar is a grand site. (sic) "The left altar is the altar of the crucifixion. The center statue represents Christ on the cross. On the right of this is the image of St. John, and on the left, that of the Virgin. Below the central figure is a tabernacle, as in the main shrine, but guarded by two golden angels. The whole is tastefully decorated and richly laid with gold leaf. "Along each side of the church are placed four large banners put up by respective societies, of which there are a number connected with this church. The church is lighted by electricity and by a 100-light gas machine. An enormous chandelier, six feet in diameter, with forty-eight gas lights, and ornamented with several thousand glass pendants, hangs from the center of the ceiling."In 1909, the interior was again renewed and described in the May 14th issue of the Daily News as follows:
"On entering the edifice, the eye is charmed on every hand by the beauties of decoration, the new windows, and the handsome mural pictures and statuary. Throughout, the color scheme is light and cheerful, with gold, pink, and ivory tones, relieved by pale blue as the prevailing tone. The two rows of columns bordering the nave are rendered architecturally beautiful by a finish which closely resembles onyx. "The pulpit and altar are of ivory with much gold trimming. The principal decorative features are two large paintings, one on either side of the altar. On the right, The Nativity is presented, and, on the left, The Flight into Egypt. These paintings are sober in tone but rich and dignified and represent a very high form of mural art. "The art-glass windows are all new and in uniform style and tone. There are six large windows on each side and sixteen in the entire church. They are light and cheerful in tone, most of opalescent glass. All were donated privately by individuals and societies connected with the church. "The lighting facilities have [been] renewed at a cost of $700, and in the left sacristy is a switchboard controlling all of the lights. The principal chandeliers with cut-glass globes, one of which represents red and blue lights. "The result of this lavish decoration is that there is no place where the eye can wander that does not afford the satisfaction that comes from observing a beautiful object and a work of art. The intention is to beautify and enrich public worship and suggest a chaste enjoyment of art and beauty."
Our Golden Jubilee
from Pamiatka Zlotego Jubileuszu zalozenia
Parafii sw. Jozefa w Manistee, 1884-1934 pages 26-28 St. Joseph Parish is justly proud today. It has reached the Golden Anniversary of its existence. Fifty years of hardship, sacrifice, co-operation, and able leadership have molded it into one of the finest in the Grand Rapids diocese. The history of St. Joseph's is interwoven with that of St. Mary's Parish, to which the faithful of all nationalities belonged for a long time. However, in 1882-1883 the congregation became so large that the church could not accommodate all the members--the majority of whom were Polish. In 1883 a committee representing the Polish element obtained permission from the bishop of Detroit to found and organize a new parish in the city of Manistee. In 1884 the erection of the church began under the direction of Father Callaert, pastor of St. Mary's. That same year a wind-storm destroyed whatever had been built. This did not discourage the faithful of the new parish. Undaunted by this dire catastrophe and trusting firmly in Divine Providence they soon resumed work on their church. God rewarded their faith and their sacrifices, and 1884 saw the erection of the present magnificent structure. In 1885 Father M. Grochowski was installed formally as the pastor of the new congregation, which chose St. Joseph for its patron and protector. With Fr. Grochowski began an uninterrupted succession of zealous, self-sacrificing and exemplary pastors, to whom the destiny of the parish was entrusted. Fr. Grochowski's regime saw the erection of the following buildings: a wooden school building for $2,500; the sister's convent for $1,500; the parsonage at the original cost of $4,500; 2 towers on the church. Fr. Edward Kozlowski came to St. Joseph's in 1889 and followed gloriously in the footsteps of his predecessor. During his administration the parish reached its peak numerically. Records show that over 1,000 families belonged to St. Joseph's. Fr. Kozlowski's first task was to enlarge the school building, which proved too small for the large number of children. In 1891, Fr. Kozlowski furnished the church and installed a steam plant. In 1892 the church bells were bought at a cost of $3,000, and in 1893 a tower clock was installed at a cost of $2,000. A steam plant costing $1,350 was added to the school in 1895. Two years later, in 1897, fire destroyed the old school building. The next year, however, the first stone of the new foundation was laid by Fr. Kozlowski. Due to his extraordinary qualifications, Bishop Richter promoted Fr. Kozlowski to the pastorate of St. Stanislaus Parish, Bay City, Mich. Here he remained until 1914 when the Holy Father made him the Auxiliary Bishop of Milwaukee, where he died suddenly in 1916. Fr. Leopold Opyrchalski was the next pastor of St. Joseph's congregation, and he served for 13 years (1900-1913). His pastorate was noted for the completion of the present school house and the many other greatly noticeable improvements in the church, the parsonage, and the convent. During his reign the Parish celebrated the Silver Jubilee of its existence in May 1909. Fr. Opyrchalski, advancing in years and finding the troubles and worries of a large congregation too burdensome, obtained permission to exchange his parish with Fr. Bieniawski. In 1913 Fr. Opyrchalski left for Isadore, Mich., and Fr. A. Bieniawski came to Manistee. Although Fr. Bieniawski's pastorate lasted only 6 years, he worked untiringly to keep the material and spiritual welfare of his congregation unimpaired in any way. When Fr. Bieniawski left in 1919, he left a large circle of friends. In 1919, Fr. John D. Kapalanowski, the present pastor, was sent by Bishop Kelly to minister unto the needs of the faithful of this parish. His extended pastorate of 15 years has been noteworthy in many respects. Above all, he must be congratulated for the modern improvements of all the parochial buildings. In fact, the whole property has been so improved that not only the members of his congregation but the citizens of the whole city can take just pride in calling St. Joseph's the "beauty spot" of Manistee. May God bless him in the future, and may his pastorate extend for many more years at St. Joseph's. As a token of the spiritual life of St. Joseph Parish we may refer to the many vocations to the priesthood and to the religious life. The Parish has given eight young men to the eternal priesthood of Christ, and some fifty young ladies have embraced the religious calling. The day of the Golden Jubilee is truly a memorable day for the entire parish. In the words of Holy Writ we can say of it: "This is the day which the Lord hath made; let us be glad and rejoice therein." (Ps. cxv11:24). Our hearts filled with sentiments of praise and thanksgiving to the Almighty, we open our lips in the words of praise first uttered by the immaculate lips of our Blessed Mother: "My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour." St. Luke 1, 46-47.
Renovation of 1941 Improvement Program at Church Completed Interior Renovation Makes St. Joseph's Here One of Most Beautiful in Entire Grand Rapids Diocese from The Manistee News-Advocate, date and author unknown A program of renovation at St. Joseph's church here, recently brought to virtual completion, has made the church interior one of the most beautiful in the entire Grand Rapids Catholic diocese. A view of the church, taken from near the Hopkins st. entrance, is shown above. (it really is in the newspaper article, but not here) The improvement work was in progress from the middle of May until about two weeks ago, and all that still remains to be done is construction of a shrine to Our Lady of Perpetual Health (sic) in the northwest corner of the building and the new baptismal font in the southwest corner. From the entrances, at the west end of the building, to the altar, in the east, the interior is strikingly beautiful. Gothic and Roman in treatment, the decorating combines pleasing color with restrained dignity, while the new lighting system tends to make more impressive the general, all-around effect. The altars, which formerly reached nearly to the 35-foot ceiling, have been reduced in height, bringing them more into proportion. A tapestry effect has been used in the sanctuary to set off the resplendent main altar, which is ivory and white, decorated with gold leaf. In the sanctuary, above the altar, has been painted a scene depicting the Adoration of the Blessed Virgin by The People. This feature was suggested by the church pastor, the Rev. Bronislaus Roguszka. Special lights behind the altar break up shadow lines and accentuate the effect of the two side floodlight units. On the sidewalls the colorful Stations of the Cross glow softly in the rays of hidden fluorescent lights. Lantern lights have also been placed on the sidewalls. The nave is impressive, with its six painted panels, each bearing the likeness of one of the Apostles. The lofty pillars and the Communion rail are done in imitation onyx finish. Unusual effect is also gained by the use of recessed lights under the balcony, with these units bearing the emblems of the Four Evangelists: The Ox for St. Mark; the Eagle for St. John; the Angel for St. Matthew; and the Lion for St. Luke. Near the north door in the church vestibule has been painted the emblem of Poland, a white eagle on a red background. Near the south door is a plaque bearing the Stars and Stripes, while in the center is the coat of arms of Bishop Joseph C. Plagens, head of the diocese. Every part of the interior has been repainted and redecorated; new covers have been placed over the radiators, a new durable composition tile floor has been laid, and easy kneeling pads have been placed on the prayer benches. It is hoped that new pews can be provided in the near future so that the church furniture will fully measure up to the standards set by the remainder of the interior. The seating capacity of the church has been reduced slightly to about 800 by the recent changes. The moving force behind the extensive renovation project has been the Rev. Fr. Roguszka, who has been in charge of the parish since May, 1939, when he came here from Fremont. Previously, Fr. Roguszka served as assistant at St. Joseph's in 1926-27. A graduate of Catholic University in Washington, D. C., he also studied at Grand Rapids, the Suplicin Seminary in Montreal, Que., and at St. Mary's in Baltimore, Md. The improvements constitute the first major changes which have been made at St. Joseph's in 33 years. The church itself was built in 1882 and was dedicated in 1894. Parishioners, justly proud of the results of the redecorating work, will sponsor a big Christmas Festival [on] Sunday, Dec. 14, proceeds of which will be used to pay part of the costs, which they hope to clear up as soon as possible in order to make plans for additional projects in the near future.
from The 1977 St. Joseph Pictorial Directory For ninety-four years St. Joseph Parish has played an important role in the history of Manistee. During these years the parish has contributed significantly to the spiritual, intellectual, and cultural development, not only of the parish community, but of the Manistee community as a whole. The parish can be justly proud of its history of Christian service to the Manistee community and can rejoice in Christ for the accomplishments of its people. It has a rich heritage to preserve that will enable it to grow confidently into the future. 1883 A committee representing persons of Polish ancestry obtained permission from the Bishop to found a new parish in the city of Manistee. 1884 This year marked the erection of the Church which was destroyed the same year by a windstorm. Undaunted, and trusting in Divine Providence, the parishioners saw the erection of the present Church. 1885 Father Matthew Grochowski was installed formally as the pastor of the new congregation of St. Joseph. 1885-1889 The wooden school building, the convent and the rectory were constructed. 1889 Father Edward Kozlowski was installed as pastor. Father Edward Kozlowski laid the cornerstone for the present school building. 1900 Father Leopold Opyrchalski was installed as pastor. 1909 St. Joseph Parish celebrated its Silver Jubilee. 1913 Father Andrew Bieniawski was named pastor. 1919 Father John Kaplanowski was installed as pastor. 1934 St. Joseph Parish celebrated its Golden Jubilee anniversary. 1939 Father B. B. Roguszka was installed as pastor. 1941 The Church was redecorated and rewired. 1944 St. Joseph School had its first high school class of freshmen. 1947 St. Joseph School had its first high school graduating class. 1956 The new convent was completed, and the first phase of the improvement program was concluded. 1959 St. Joseph Parish celebrated its Diamond Jubilee Anniversary. 1960 Bishop Allen Babcock consecrated new altars for the Church. 1964 St. Joseph Junior and Senior High became part of Manistee Catholic Central Consolidated Schools. 1965 Manistee Catholic Central was dedicated. 1968 Father Chester Klimowicz was installed as pastor. 1971 The new diocese of Gaylord was established. 1972 Elementary students transferred from St. Joseph School building to Manistee Catholic Central Consolidated Schools. Father James Suchocki was installed as pastor. 1974-1975 New ministries were highlighted by the establishment of a Parish Pastoral Team and acceptance of the Parish Council Constitution. 1976 The interior of the church was repainted. 1977 The promise of growth into the future.