This is a beginning document of our parish family story. Hopefully more and more memories will be added as time goes on. Like most family stories, various members remember different details of specific events and place different degrees of importance on them. So it will most likely be with our parish family story. Do you have memories, artifacts or pictures to share? Please contact Pastoral Associate
Sr. Mary Catherine Fodrocy O.P. (269) 343-6256, ext 108
So let us begin from before our time with the years from the Settlement of Kalamazoo until the establishment of St. Joseph Mission.
The Settlement of Bronson was organized and chartered by Titus Bronson a land
speculator from the Eastern United States. The name of the settlement was later changed to Kalamazoo.
The first white Catholic settler (Dennis Talbot) came to Kalamazoo.
The Diocese of Detroit was created by Pope Gregory XVI. It took in all of Michigan. Prior to this time, the Michigan Territory was under the jurisdiction of Cincinnati.
Bishop Frederic Rese served as the first bishop of the Diocese of Detroit.
Michigan was admitted to the Union as the 26th State.
Fr. Cullen visited the area and said Mass in a home.
Bishop Peter LeFevre served as the 2nd Bishop of the Diocese of Detroit.
A mission was organized in Kalamazoo. Fr. Sorin, the founder of Notre Dame, was given jurisdiction over the region. Fathers of the Holy Cross served the Kalamazoo Mission on a regular basis.
An attempt was made to build a church at what is now Church and Academy Streets, but this church building was never completed. Titus Bronson designated this block for the first four denominations who would come into the area to build their church. The Catholics were one of the four groups. They started their church but the unfinished building was destroyed during a severe windstorm. By the time they had the permission from Bishop LeFevre and were ready to rebuild another group had already come.
Another building was begun near what is now the corner of Kalamazoo Avenue and Park Street. This was the beginning of St. Augustine Parish. The brick wall which still stands near the railroad at the west side of Park Street was the dividing line between St. Augustine’s and the railroad’s property.
The church, measuring 30x60 feet was completed and dedicated. The Fathers of the Holy Cross continued to serve the mission.
Catholics of Kalamazoo, VanBuren, and Allegan Counties were placed under the care of Fr. Anthony L. Label. He also had the care of Berrien County for about a year and was later given charge of St. Joseph and Barry Counties. At that time there were 47 Catholic families in Kalamazoo.
Bishop LaFevre visited Kalamazoo and confirmed 76 persons from Kalamazoo and the surrounding area.
The Diocese of Detroit was led by Bishop Casper Borgess. After his retirement as Bishop of Detroit a hospital was able to be opened to serve the sick poor in Kalamazoo through his generosity. Today Borgess Hospital is a leading medical facility in the area.
Fr. Frank A. O’Brien was appointed pastor of St. Augustine. St. Joseph Mission eventually came about under his leadership and he would be the first pastor because of his role as pastor of the mother church. He invited the Sisters of St. Joseph from New York State to come to Kalamazoo in1890.
The Diocese of Detroit was led by Bishop Foley.
A meeting was held in the home of Patrick Redmond Sr. to plan a new parish. The Redmond farm was located on what is now the corner of Cork Street and Redmond Avenue. Cork Street was so named because early settlers from County Cork, Ireland, settled there.
An acre of land near the Kalamazoo Paper Mill was purchased and the construction of St. James Chapel and School took place within the year. A dedication Mass was celebrated that same year. This was the only Mass ever celebrated there due to the distance from town. Two classrooms were on the second floor. Picture of St. James in RectoryDining Room.
St. James School opened in January and was staffed by the Sisters of St. Joseph who lived at St.Augustine’s. Someone drove them back and forth with a horse and buggy.
St. James School closed. To this day there is a St. Mary’s Street and a St. Joseph Street off Cork Street in the general area where St. James was located. The cornerstone from St. James now serves as a plant holder in the courtyard between our present church and rectory.
The John W. Parker homestead at what is now 930 Lake Street was purchased by Bishop Foley of Detroit.. The original transfer was made to Rev. Frank A. O’Brien. Of the purchase price, $8,500.00, the church paid $5,000.00 and the Sisters of St. Joseph paid $3,500.00. St. Joseph Parish had its real beginning at this time.
St. Joseph Mission was established as a mission of St. Augustine Parish. Fr. Frank A. O’Brien was pastor. Frs. Lochbihler, Kramer and Fitzpatrick came to celebrate the masses. Records of sacramental celebrations were kept at St .Augustine Parish.
The development of Catholicism in Kalamazoo was rather unique in that ethnic parishes did not develop during the late 1800’s and very early 1900’s as they did in many other towns and cities. St. Joseph Mission was formed because of the increasing number of Catholics in the area from various ethnic groups.
1904-05 A two story red brick building was completed during this time. The first floor was used as a church, the second floor for four classrooms and the basement as an auditorium. The cornerstone from St. James Cha located in Office 201 at 202 Pratt Block, Kalamazoo. The Parker House was moved back on the property and became the convent. Fr. Lochbihler donated the church bell in memory of his mother whose name was Ida. It was the custom of the time to name church bells.
Inscription on the bell:
IDA IS MY NAME
MAY GOD BLESS AND PROTECT ALL WHO HEAR MY VOICE
DONOR REV. THEODORE LOCHBIHLER
SEPTEMBER 8, 1904
On the opposite side of the bell:
MCSHANE BELL FOUNDRY BALTIMORE MARYLAND
The following quote is from the Augustinian, a newspaper published by St. Augustine Church, just prior to July 17, 1904. “It was decided by a vote of the parishioners, to place the proposed parish under the fostering care of good St. Joseph. The Right Rev. Bishop, to whom under church law, belongs the right of naming new institutions, kindly permitted the parishioners to select the new name. This was done by voting at ten cents a ballot. The Rt. Rev. Bishop has confirmed the choice, and henceforth the new institution will be called St. Joseph’s. The handsome cornerstone that will be placed in position Sunday, is the gift of Winslow and Crooks.” Unfortunately that cornerstone is missing. Picture of 1904 cornerstone.
Presidents:
Theodore Roosevelt 1901-1909
William Taft 1909 – 1913
Construction on the Panama Canal was begun during this time. The government began regulating big business. The Wright Brothers made the first successful airplane flight. By 1905, 52 cars were registered in Kalamazoo. Two of the problems facing downtown Kalamazoo were traffic congestion and horses being frightened by the cars.
Pope Pius X (died 1914) made significant changes that affected Catholic life and worship. Some of the things he did during his reign were that he restored Gregorian Chant, reorganized seminaries, reformed Canon Law, encouraged Catholics to receive the Eucharist daily, and permitted First Communion at age seven. Prior to this time, Catholics needed to be urged to receive Holy Communion at least once a year and First Communion was received around age 12 or 13.
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