St. Patrick Parish 1901 The Irish members of St. Joseph Church begin to circulate a petition to form their own parish after disparaging remarks are made about them by the assistant pastor, Father Hubert Kalt, O.F.M., on St. Patrick’s Day. The petition is presented to Bishop Frederick Eis on July 14 and a vote to separate from St. Joseph Church is taken. On July 26 Father John M. Langan is appointed first pastor of St. Patrick Church and the formal division is declared by Bishop Eis. On August 4 at 6:30 AM the first Mass of the new parish is celebrated in St. Joseph Church. On October 27 Father Langan celebrates the last Mass for the Irish at St. Joseph Church and for $30.00 per month 2 Masses are celebrated each Sunday at St. Anne Church. 1902 The cornerstone for the new St. Patrick church is laid on May 25. 1903 St. Patrick Church is dedicated by the Right Reverend Frederick Eis on February 15. The Most Reverend John Ireland, Archbishop of St. Paul, Minnesota preaches the sermon. St. Patrick Church 1903 The architects Schick & Roth of LaCrosse, Wisconsin were chosen for the plans for the new church. The contract for the contruction of the building was awarded on March 9, 1902 to John W. Lawson for the sum of $29,974.00. Subsequent contracts were placed: Coogan & Strothenke, of Milwaukee for the heating plant; The Manitowoc Seating Works for pews ($2,400.00); Dubuque Altar Manufacturing Company for the High Altar, Side Altars, two Confessionals, Baptismal Font, Pulpit and Altar Rail ($2,750.00); Flanagan Biedenweg Company for the stained glass windows ($2,400.00); W.W. Kimball Co. of Chicago, Illinois for the pipe organ ($2,600.00); Meneely and Co. of Troy, New York for three bells ($850.00) click here for a vintage video of the Meneely Bell Foundry; John W. Lawson for the Rectory; Chicago Fixture and Lighting Company for the chandeliers. All totaled the new church and rectory cost $72,279.00. 1911 Father Langan dies on January 12 and Father Francis X. Barth becomes the second pastor. 1922 Father Barth dies on May 30. Father Barth was greatly respected in the community. He was instrumental in promoting a new charter for the governance of the city of Escanaba. The Escanaba Daily Press wrote: “No priest ever to serve any community held a higher place in the hearts of all the people in that community as did Reverend F. X. Barth in this city.” Father Jeremiah Moriarity begins his pastorate, which is the shortest in the history of the parish, less than one year. 1923 Father John Mockler becomes pastor. 1933 Father Mockler dies on December 7 in Miami, Florida and Father Thomas A. Kennedy becomes pastor. 1945 Father Kennedy dies on February 16 and Father Martin B. Melican becomes pastor. His pastorate is the longest in the history of the parish, 23 years. 1950 On September 26 ground is broken for the new parish school. 1951 St. Patrick’s School opens on September 5 with students enrolled in the first four grades. The Dominican Sisters of Adrian, Michigan serve the school. 1952 Father Melican is made a monsignor on July 16. 1966 The Kimball pipe organ is removed and replaced with a Wicks pipe organ. 1968 Msgr. Melican retires and is succeeded by Father Charles J. Carmody. 1970 Father Carmody accepts position on the faculty of Loyola University in Chicago, Illinois. Father Kenneth G. Bretl is appointed pastor. 1971 Permission is given to make necessary repairs to the church at a cost of $200,000.00. Interior and exterior restoration, repair of stained glass windows, new heating system, new roof and rebuilding of front steps. St. Patrick School closes and merges with St. Anne, St. Joseph and St. Thomas Schools to become Holy Name Central Grade School. 1972 Spire of large tower repaired. The Meneely bells removed from belfry and sold into private ownership. 1973 Lightning strikes spire in July. Spire is taken down and rebuilt. 1980 Father Arnold J. Grambow, former associate pastor, becomes pastor. 1988 Father James A. Pepin becomes pastor. 1989 Father Pepin dies on July 22 less than one year into his pastorate. Father John M. Maloney is appointed Administrator. Father Ronald J. Skufca becomes pastor in September. 1995 Diocesan planning process Fully Alive in ’95 calls for further pastoral planning in the city of Escanaba 1997 June 30 St. Patrick Parish is suppressed. July 1 Bishop Garland erects the new parish of St. Joseph & St. Patrick. During its ninety-six years of existence St. Patrick Church had twenty-seven associate priests. From 1944 to 1950 there were two associates.
Posted on: Sat, 22 Mar 2014 05:58:07 +0000
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