Marcellus, Michigan
25 Years
December 9, 1951 - 1976
St. Margaret Mary Church
Marcellus, MI
“My house shall be called the house of prayer, saith the Lord; every one that asks therein, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it shall be opened.”
A Short History of St. Margaret Mary Parish
On October 7, 1948, 14 ladies met in the home of Mrs. Walter Haas at the request of Father Ceru of Holy Family Church of Decatur where a large number of the Marcellus area people were attending church. The purpose of this meeting was to form a Ladies Altar Society and to organize a Catechism class for the children in Marcellus. At this meeting the ladies picked the name of St. Ann's Altar Society and elected the following officers: President, Mrs. Irene Wheaton; Vice-President, Mrs. Florence Mater; Secretary, Mrs. Clarice Adams; and Treasurer, Mrs. Margaret Klein. This was the first formal organization of any type for the yet to be formed parish.
After this first meeting the ladies continued to meet monthly in each other's homes. During this period families continued to drive to surrounding towns to attend mass. It was becoming increasingly apparent that a real need existed for a church in Marcellus. On August 12, 1949, a letter was written by the Altar Society to Bishop Joseph Albers of the Diocese of Lansing asking that a priest be allowed to come to Marcellus from Decatur on Saturdays to offer mass and instruct the children in their catechism. On December 8, 1949, (2 years and 1 day from the date when the first mass would be offered) a follow-up letter was written, again asking Bishop Albers to allow a priest to offer mass in one of the homes on Saturdays.
During the next two years St. Ann's Altar Society continued to meet with a growing membership, and to teach the children their catechism. On June 5, 1950, the Sacrament of Confirmation was administered in Decatur by Bishop Albers. Six members of the catechism class sponsored by the Altar Society, Barbara Haas, Betty Heneghan, John Henneghan, Tom Henegan, Roger Sullivan and Ronnie Zaleski were confirmed.
In early November, 1951, the prayers and efforts of the local Catholics were realized when the present church building (built in 1872) and the parsonage were purchased from the Evangelical United Brethren Board of Trustees by Bishop Albers for the sum of $10,000. On November 6, 1951, Father George B. Zabelka of St. Johns, Michigan, was appointed as the first pastor of St. Margaret Mary Parish. On November 20, 1951, the first meeting of the pastor and the parishioners took place in the newly acquired church. At this meeting 24 members were present in a church which consisted of the four walls and the pews. There was no altar, sacristies, communion rails or choir loft. It should be remembered that this meeting took place just 19 days before the first mass took place. During those 19 days untold hours of hard work were put in to the church to prepare it for the dedication. An old altar was acquired from St. Augustine's in Kalamazoo as well as kneelers and other church articles to help convert the church to a Catholic church. An old pump organ was placed in the rear of the church to provide the music for the first masses.
In the meantime work was also progressing in the rectory next door to the church. At one of the first work sessions someone lighted the floor furnace in the dining room to warm the house. Unfortunately the house got a little too warm and caught fire making it necessary to call the fire department for assistance. In retrospect it barely seems possible that the massive task of converting a run-down house with no heat, water or electricity, into a livable home for our new priest and preparing the church for the dedication was completed in just 19 days, but it was done. It was reported that at nine o'clock the night before the dedication carpeting was still being nailed down in the sanctuary, but it was done.
On Sunday, December 9, 1951, Bishop Joseph Albers formally dedicated the first Catholic church in Marcellus at 9:30 a.m. Escorted by an honor guard of 4th degree members of the Knights of Columbus from St. Augustine's in Kalamazoo and accompanied by some of the pastors from neighboring towns and other visiting priests (including Father Paul Donovan who acted as the Bishop's master of ceremonies), the Bishop first blessed the outside of the building. Then in procession he went around the inside of the church reciting the prayer of dedication. At the foot of the altar the Bishop and clergy then knelt to chant the Litany of Saints. Following the dedication Rev. George Zabelka chanted a high mass of thanksgiving assisted by the St. Mary's High School Choir from Niles, Michigan. In his remarks to the 250 parishioners and guests Father Zabelka thanked all of the parishioners for their wonderful cooperation and he expressed his gratefulness at being received so kindly by the people of Marcellus.
Rev. John Blakso, pastor of Sacred Heart Church in Flint, delivered the dedicatory sermon. In it he said “The mustard seed planted today can grow into a large and beautiful tree only through the mutual and persevering cooperation of yourselves with your pastor in seeking to promote God's glory among men”. Following the mass the ladies of the Altar Society served a buffet lunch in the church hall for all the guests.
The dedication on that Sunday in 1951 does not mark the end of our history, but merely the beginning. The months and years that were to follow saw much growth and accomplishments in our parish, some of which is highlighted below:
Sunday, December 16, 1951 – The first regular Sunday mass was celebrated at St. Margaret Mary's. Attendance – 19; communions – 8; offertory – $16.00. Low attendance was due to a severe snowstorm.
December 30, 1951 – First baptism took place. Theresa Colborn (now Mrs. John Lehigh), daughter of Jack and Patricia Hagan Colborn.
January 6, 1952 – Open house was held in the church for members of the community. Father Zabelka explained the significance of the various articles in the church.
February 3, 1952 – 50th wedding anniversary celebration at church for Mr. and Mrs. Nick Leimetter.
July 26 & 27, 1952 – The first summer festival was held on the church grounds. This highly successful event netted $3,400 for the church.
1952 – Church was painted
New roof was put on part of the church
New oil furnace was put in church
Rest rooms were put in basement and kitchen was refurbished
1953 – January 16, 1953 – Rev. James M. Buch, O.S.M. Conducted the first service of Our Sorrowful Mother Novenas.
May 7, 1953 – Father Zabelka was appointed by the Bishop to organize a Catholic mission in Mattawan.
June 21, 1953 – The first mass in Mattawan was celebrated in the VFW hall.
Second Annual Summer Festival was held.
Mother Cabrini Guild was organized in June.
Choir Loft built.
Summer school held for the grade school children.
First 40 hours devotion held in July.
Rectory painted.
First Intercity CYO dance for high school was held in Marcellus.
By the end of the year one-half of our church debt had been paid.
1954 – Summer festivals continue with this year's festival netting $1705 for the parish.
1955 – Fourth summer festival held netting $509 for the parish.
Easter Sunday – we heard the new organ purchased by the Altar Society and Mother Cabrini Guild for a total cost of $1,250. This organ is still being used today, 21 years later.
The final payment is made on the church mortgage.
The history of the church doesn't end at this point either, but from this time on it is often difficult to pinpoint when particular events took place. We all have memories of different events. Sometime after 1955 St. Margaret Mary became the mission of Mattawan with the priest being stationed in Mattawan. Improvements continued to be made to the church. In the early 1960s we acquired a new altar and a major redecoration of the altar area took place. The basement continued to be a focal point of the social activities of the parish and many improvements were made to make our social rooms more pleasant.
The religious education of the children of the parish has always been important. For many years the Sisters of St. Joseph from Dowagiac and Mattawan assumed the responsibility of educating our children on Saturday mornings and Sundays after mass. In 1961 Mrs. Maxine Burleigh volunteered to take courses in Kalamazoo to qualify her to teach the high school students. Through her efforts and because of the increasing shortage of Sisters, a very good program of religious education made up of lay teachers was formed. This program continues today with classes being held in the former rectory, now known as the CCD building.
As is tru in any organization we have had unfortunate and sad memories too. Shortly after the new wood tile floor was installed in the sanctuary and sacristry areas early in the '60s, our “flood” took place. Due to cold weather the sink pipe in the priest's sacristy broke causing a major leak. We ended up with several inches of water in the basement. Many priest's vestments were ruined, the ceiling tile and floor in the basement were badly damaged, and the new wood tile floor was destined to carry the “scars” of that flood for many years. Only just recently has new carpeting been installed, partially by a gift of the Altar Society, that covers the damaged tile.
We have had our tragic moments as well. Few of us who were present will ever forget that horrible July 29, 1962, when it was announced to us in church that our second pastor, Father Wade, had drown the night before in a tragic boating accident in Paw Paw, where he was currently head pastor. Although he had been away from the Marcellus church for two years, the people of St. Margaret Marys felt the loss very deeply.
Over the years our parish has continued its growth in many ways. Our physical plant continued to show many improvements. In the late 1960's we replaced the old pews, that were in the church when we bought it, with new ones. Aluminum siding was also put on the church. In 1973, it was decided to rebuild the front and side entrances to the church. In that same year the windows were replaced with very attractive and colorful panes.
Music has always been an important part of our parish. In the early ytears of our history Mrs. Sophia Haas was our organist and directed our choirs. Later Mrs. U.M. (Clarice) Adams gave much of her time to provide us with our music. Since the early 1970's Mrs. Thomas (Yvonne)Lowry has directed our choir and music program. We have also been most fortunate to have the help of Mrs. Eva Kruse during the summer months. For the past three years St. Margaret Mary's choir members have joined on Sundays with the members of the Marcellus United Methodist Church choir to help provide music for both churches. This ecumenical and community spirit of love has benefited both churches. In furthering this spirit for several years, with the cooperation of our respective pastors, community Good Friday services have been held between the two churches.
So far in our brief history we have attempted to point out some of our physical and material growth. But without a doubt our most important growth has been our spiritual growth. This far more meaningful type of growth is often not as visible to us because it is a quiet yet strong and warm growth within us. But if each of us tops for a moment and looks into our hearts it is sure that we will be able to see how our parish has contributed in a special way to that growth. Whether we have been members since the church was formed or for just a few months or no longer living in this are it is certain that we all have very special memories of our own “history” of our spiritual growth in our parish. Let it be the prayer of all current and future parish members that in God's eyes “the mustard seed” planted on that December day in 1951 will continue to “grow into a large and beautiful tree”.
Pastors
1951 – 1955 Rev. George Zabelka
1955 – 1960 Rev. Anthony Wade
1960 – 1961 Rev. Leo Zavatsky
1961 – 1966 Rev. James Schmitt
1966 – 1973 Rev. Edwin Palmer
1973 – Present Rev. Robert Consani
There are not adequate words to express the gratitude that the people of St. Margaret Marys have for the labors, prayers, and sacrifices that our pastors over the years have shared with us. By their example and devotion we have blossomed into the community of believers that exists today.
We have also been most fortunate over the years to have the assistance of visiting priests. There are far too many to name but these men from Notre Dame and more recently from Our Lady of the Lake Seminary in Syracuse, Ind., have shared so much in the growth of our parish that we shall always be grateful to them.
The following is a list of boys who have served as altar boys during these past 25 years. A search of records was made, but if anyone was omitted it was unintentional, and we offer our apology.
Tom Klein
Dick Klein
Gerald Balog
John Balog
George Adams
John Heneghan
Tom Heneghan
John Adams
James Adams
Allan Seelye
Stephen Mater
Bill Torrance
Ray Wilcox
James Burleigh
Joe Mater
Steve Fosdick
Bill Barrett
Mike Burleigh
Greg Burleigh
Robert Mater
Dan Maxey
Donald Seelye
Pat Lowry
Kevin Fenech
Keith Fenech
Mike Ives
David Politowicz
Matt Lowry
Kurt Fenech
Daniel Politowicz
Matt Holloway
Paul Ives
Mark Lowry
St. Margaret Mary Church
December 1976
“As we pause to look back, and prepare to move ahead”
Current pastor: Father Robert Consani
1952 – 60 registered families in the parish
1976 – 109 registered families in the parish
Since 1951 –
Baptism 127
Marriages 28
Deaths 45
Confirmations 51
Communions 98,005
1976 Altar Society Officers:
President – Juanita Bohne
Vice President – Genivieve Antal
Secretary – Jean Clime
Treasurer – Adele Robb
1976 Holy Name Society Officers:
President – Charles Shimkus
Vice President – Leon Kindt
Secretary Treasurer – Art Leinen
1976 CCD staff
Donald Holloway
Sue Holloway
Leon Kindt
Sue Kindt
Art Leinen
Linda Muir
Steve Mater
Claire Zieman