A History Of St. Barbara Roman Catholic Church

A History Of St. Barbara Roman Catholic Church
13534 Colson Street, Dearborn, Michigan 48126

St. Barbara Roman Catholic Church was established in 1924 in the area known at the time as Springwells, before it became known as Dearborn.  It was a time of rapid growth for the rural area, largely because of Henry Ford’s call for laborers to work in his expanding automobile business.  In 1910, Ford relocated his plant on Piquette Avenue in Detroit to 91 Manchester Street, on the corner of Woodward Avenue in Highland Park, specifically for the purpose of building Model T automobiles.  The huge plant—the largest in the world—in which Ford introduced the moving assembly line and other innovations, revolutionized automobile manufacturing and changed forever not only the Detroit area, but also the world.

Job applicants poured into Detroit from around the world, and notably the Southern states, in response to Ford’s offer of a $5-per-day wage, profit sharing, and a shorter work day.  Many of the laborers who arrived to work in Ford’s plant and in the offshoot industries of the car manufacturing business settled in the Springwells area.

Springwells was known as a shopping district at the time and was home to several prominent families with deep roots in the area, with names like Schaefer, Neckel, Horger, Esper, and Oakman.  Soon 40 families of Polish descent settled in Springwells, bringing with them their strong ties to the Catholic faith and time-honored Polish traditions.  They naturally sought a place to worship.  The only other Catholic church in the district at the time was St. Alphonsus, which had been established over 50 years before by German and Irish settlers.

Due to ethnic differences and because some of the newly arrived Poles were deficient in their English language skills, they attended church on the west side of the city, where Polish parishes had been established.  But traveling the long distance soon proved burdensome, and the Springwells group realized the need for their own parish.  Also, the religious education of their children in a Catholic school was a necessity.

Stanley Swiatkowski, a local grocer who owned a grocery store at Michigan Avenue and Schaefer, was instrumental in the parish’s formation.  John Olesko, John Maciag, and John Skutnicki, three newly arrived residents, were key players.  They approached Stanley, who gave them a list of other Polish American contacts in the area.  Stanley offered his store to be used as a base and became actively involved with the group.

The 40 families drafted a petition and presented it to the Rt. Reverend Michael J. Gallagher, then-Bishop of Detroit.  Bishop Gallagher was very receptive to the idea and the need for a parish for the Springwells group and therefore approved their request.  However, he reserved appointing a pastor until later.

On April 20, 1924, Rev. Joseph Wilemski of St. Stephen in Detroit celebrated the first Mass at St. Barbara.  The Mass was held in the Old Township Hall on the corner of Michigan Avenue and Schaefer, a building owned by John Schaefer, a local resident.  This became the temporary headquarters of the new parish until the new church was built.  The parishioners held their meetings in the second floor auditorium above the headquarters.  John Schaefer donated the use of the building and soon joined the parishioners.  In 1927, the site would become the home of St. Clement Catholic Church.

After the Mass on April 20, 1924, the St. Barbara parishioners held a meeting, and a founders committee was formed consisting of Stanley Swiatkowski, Peter Brzeziński, John Makowski, Casimir Staniak, Seb. Jucha, and John Skutnicki.  The committee agreed on the next steps for parish planning and fundraising.  They discussed proposed sites for the future parish grounds.  Consideration was given to a block of land at Kenilworth and Ruby, owned by James Casey, which was available for $26,000, and in due time a purchase agreement was entered into and a deposit given.

Soon afterwards, it was announced that Rev. Raphael J. Chrząszcz, who was known as a modest man, would become the pastor of St. Barbara parish.  Rev. Chrząszcz was also assigned to serve the newly formed Ss. Peter & Paul parish in Warrendale.  Upon Rev. Chrząszcz’s arrival, Masses were held every Sunday morning at 8 a.m. in the Schaefer Building.  He was provided with a new Ford Tudor Sedan to accommodate his busy schedule, as well as lodging in John Schaefer’s home.  A short time later, the parish was able to purchase a house from Mr. Schaefer at a reasonable price.  The house, which was located at 4608 Calhoun, just south of Michigan Avenue, was razed along with several others on the block in the 1960s to allow for the expansion of the Montgomery Ward department store parking lot.

Between 1924 and 1933, St. Barbara’s parishioners became dissatisfied with the site that had been selected for their parish.  Some felt that former swampland should not have been chosen; others felt that it was isolated from the larger Polish community.  A local builder and real estate agent by the name of John Lukasiewicz came forward and mediated a contract between the parishioners and John Schaefer.  He was awarded the building contract for the construction of a new church.  Included in the agreement was the purchase of 16 lots of land at Colson and Calhoun from John Schaefer for $25,300 in exchange for his repurchase of the already acquired Kenilworth lots.  The proposal was accepted and the deal finalized.

Lukasiewicz then drafted plans for the construction of a one-story, flat-roofed brick building that would house six classrooms, four for a school and two for a church, at a cost of $46,000.  On September 7, 1924, groundbreaking ceremonies were held for the new church.  Rev. Chrząszcz broke ground and blessed it in the presence of several dignitaries and St. Barbara’s new parishioners.  Simultaneously, Ford announced forthcoming plans for the transfer of 27,000 workers from the Highland Park assembly plant to the newly constructed Ford Rouge Plant, which had been under construction since 1917.  When the plant was completed in 1928, Henry Ford’s vision of creating the largest integrated factory in the world was fulfilled.  The automotive industry was undergoing revolutionary change, and it would impact the entire Detroit area, including Dearborn, for generations.

On the afternoon of Sunday, October 19, 1924, the Rt. Reverend Joseph C. Plagens, assisted by the clergy, laid the cornerstone at what is now the northeast entrance of St. Barbara School, leading to the Activities Building.  The event was marked by a military rifle salute by Polish military troops.  Many participants from local Detroit-area Polish communities were among the over 2,000 attendees.  A parade began at Michigan Avenue and Addison and marched to the site of the future church, with Polish military soldiers and cadets in full uniform carrying flags, who were accompanied by their own bands.

Bishop Plagens described the ceremony as follows:  “After the end of the transcription rite, the Eminent Celebrant turned around to the assembled people with sincere yet ardent words.  He condemned those who were the current enemies of the Church, of the Polish people, and of the parish schools, and at the same time encouraged the faithful to further deeds and sacrifices.  The words fell with dignity, stirring admiration and profound appreciation for the newly consecrated ‘Princely Church.’”

Rev. Chrząszcz scheduled dedication ceremonies for Sunday, November 30, 1924, and on that date, St. Barbara was blessed by Bishop Gallagher.

Rev. Chrząszcz celebrated the first Mass in the new church on the Feast of St. Barbara, December 4, 1924, as he had planned, during which he blessed a statue of the parish patroness.  A flurry of activities followed.  On December 15, the first two-week mission was conducted in English by Rev. Pathe and the Redemptorist Fathers, and in Polish by Augustinian Father Stanley Weinert.  The first annual feather party was held on December 22 in the old Schaefer Hall, which was still being used for parish social gatherings.  Bishop Plagens returned to bless the first church bell on December 28, during Christmas week.

In January of 1925, the first Holy Name Society and Altar Society were organized.  The Polish Women’s Alliance, Group 451, was organized on March 18, 1926, and the Rosary Society on April 5, 1926.

At this time, two Masses were celebrated on Sundays, at 8 a.m. with an English homily, and a High Mass at 10:30 a.m. with the sermon in Polish.  Masses were all in Latin.  Vespers were sung on Sunday evenings at 7:30 p.m.  Confessions were heard on Saturday evenings from 7 to 9 p.m.

During the church’s first Lenten season, several religious objects were added.  On March 8, 1925, the Stations of the Cross were blessed, followed on April 19 by statues of the Sacred Heart and St. Joseph, which were gifts from Joseph and Anne Neckel.  Holy Week culminated with Easter services, at which Rev. Chrząszcz was accompanied by his cousin, Rev. Anthony U. Hullin, S.V.D., president of St. Francis Xavier Mission House in Boston.

But St. Barbara was struck by tragedy in April of 1925 when Rev. Chrząszcz contracted pneumonia and died three days later on April 29, 1925.  The news of the parish’s beloved pastor shook the St. Barbara community, many of whom had not even heard that he was ill.  The local newspaper described Rev. Chrząszcz as a man who “shunned all matters of publicity, but made himself very endearing to his parishioners who appreciated his devotion to duty and his charity.”  A Pontifical Requiem High Mass was celebrated by Bishop Plagens on May 1, 1925.  Many parishioners and religious were present.

Following Rev. Chrząszcz’s death, St. Barbara was assigned Father Prelate Woznicki, secretary to Bishop Gallagher, who would later become an auxiliary bishop of Detroit.  On May 17, 1925, Rev. Stanislaus P. Chmielewski was appointed administrator-provisional pastor of St. Barbara.

During the summer of 1925, the parishioners embarked upon a fundraising campaign in an effort to reduce the parish’s $84,500 debt.  On August 2, the parish held a gala picnic event on Jim Daly Road, south of Michigan Avenue, near the Westwood Inn.  Schaefer-Gleeson provided large transport trucks, which shuttled picnickers to the grounds.  The event featured dancing, foot races, a variety of games, and a raffle.  The following raffle prizes were given:  First prize:  $10 (donated by the Wayne County and Home Bank); Second prize:  $10 (donated by the Springwells State Bank); Third prize:  $10 (donated by Schaefer-Gleeson); Fourth prize:  $10 (donated by John Kelly, real estate); Fifth prize:  One ton of hard coal (donated by A. P. Ternes Coal and Lumber); and Sixth prize:  100 lbs. of flour (donated by Stanley’s Springwells Market).  Approximately 1,500 people attended the event.

Rev. Chmielewski had planned to open the parish school on September 8, 1925.  However, before the school could be opened, Rev. Chmielewski was transferred, much to the surprise of many parishioners, some of whom had entertained him in their homes only days prior.  Rev. Vincent Anuszkiewicz was installed as St. Barbara’s permanent pastor on September 12, 1925.

Because of Rev. Chmielewski’s transfer and the assignment of Rev. Anuszkiewicz, the parish school opening was postponed until September 21, 1925, when the 1^st and 2^nd Grades began classes, followed by Grades 3, 4, 5, and 6, on October 12, 1925.  Eighty school children were enrolled that first school year.  Because there was a shortage of teaching religious within the diocese, classes were conducted by lay teachers Anna Waliczki, Mary Olszewski, and Olga Kulin.

Rev. Anuszkiewicz petitioned several religious communities requesting a team of teaching sisters for St. Barbara School.  Finally, the Community of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth in Bellevue, Pennsylvania, responded to his call.  The sisters arrived in August of 1926, in time to begin the second school year on September 8.  The first superior-principal was Sister M. Nazarene, who arrived with Sister M. Suzanne, Sister M. Angeline, Sister M. Christiana, and Sister M. Basil.  The order continued to supervise St. Barbara School until its closure.

The sisters were provided temporary lodging in John Skutnicki’s garage home at the corner of Calhoun and Colson, and were later relocated next door to the upstairs apartment of his two-family flat, where they resided for one year.  In November of 1927, the sisters moved to Jacob Kolodziej’s home at 5211 Bingham, where they resided until 1931.

 

In 1926, Rev. Anuszkiewicz began a parish revitalization program.  The Young Ladies Sodality was formed on December 4, 1926.  In 1927, the Children of Mary and Junior Holy Name Society were formed.  A new Altar Society was formed on April 29, 1928.  The Polish National Alliance, Group 2525 was formed on February 4, 1929, and St. Anthony’s Society was formed on April 28, 1929.

With all the growth in the parish, it soon became necessary to construct a parish hall.  The Schaefer Building and the grounds owned by John H. Schaefer, where most events were being held, were no longer viable venues.  In 1929, in order to accommodate traffic from the Ford Rouge Plant and Headquarters Building, specific streets in Dearborn were being widened.  As a result, many buildings were slated for demolition or relocation.  A store on the corner of Schaefer and Ford Road became available at auction for a remarkably low price.  It was purchased for $125 and moved to the parish grounds on July 7, 1929.  Following renovations, the Grand Opening of the new parish hall took place on October 11, 1929.  For nearly 40 years, the building served as the site of the parish’s school and parish functions.

Several administrative policies began following the completion of those major projects.  Reserved family pews were cancelled on New Year’s Day in 1930.  Afterwards, parishioners were charged $10 for sitting in a pew.  On February 1, 1930, a system of Sunday collection envelopes was instituted, and on March 1 of that year, a weekly parish bulletin was introduced.

By 1930, the parish had grown to 400 families, the school had expanded to nearly 300 children in eight grades, and Rev. James Johnson was assigned as a weekend assistant.  The existing church and school building were no longer able to accommodate all the growth.  To address the issue, on May 30, 1930, Rev. Anuszkiewicz formed a special building committee consisting of John Yagley, Victor Malyszko, Frank Zawacki, Frank Najmowicz, Peter Nozewski, Stanley Swiatkowski, Casimir Staniak, Felix Budny, Joseph Cieliczki, and Joseph Jakubiec.  After in-depth discussions, the committee decided that a two-story annex would be added to the existing church building.  This would create eight more rooms, two of which would be designated for the church, three upstairs as a residence for the sisters, and three that would be used for classrooms.  In addition, plans were drafted for a rectory to be built on the parish grounds.  The cost of the twofold project amounted to $65,000 ($50,000 for the annex and $15,000 for the rectory).  Groundbreaking occurred during the week of June 29, 1930.

Construction on the project did not interfere with parish life.  A two-week mission was conducted from October 19 to November 2, under the leadership of the Rev. O. A. Piasecki and the Rev. J. Czapli.  Meanwhile, a committee of parishioners consisting of J. Yagley, P. Wygonik, E. Zalinski, H. Zabczyk, K. Nozewski, P. Świątkowski, M. Archacki, P. Yagley, J. Zitny, F. Zawacki, P. Dulemba, W. Malyszko, P. Brzeziński, and A. Majewski planned an extensive dedication ceremony of the new buildings for November 16, 1930, though work was not fully completed.  A commemorative souvenir booklet was prepared for the event, which would again be led by Bishop Plagens and assisted by Rev. Anuszkiewicz and several other priests.  Following the ceremony, a reception was held in the parish hall.

In the years leading up to and throughout the Great Depression, finances were tight, and although things were quieter within the parish, smaller projects were undertaken.  Sodding of the parish grounds began in April of 1931.  On May 24, 1931, the main altar, a gift of the Altar Society, was installed and blessed.  Rev. James Johnson, who had served as the weekend assistant since 1928, resigned in June of 1933.  Throughout that summer and fall, various priests filled his post.  The decade ended at a much slower tempo than the rapid pace at which it had begun.

The Great Depression left St. Barbara burdened with financial debt, but the parish was still able to celebrate its first 10 years and enter the next decade with optimism.  After several temporary assistants, the Reverend Vitalis Lasota was appointed permanent assistant to the parish on May 25, 1934.  In place of the parish picnic that year, a dinner and raffle were held on June 24.  On August 19, a novena to St. Theresa was led by Rev. John Pietrzak of the Salesian Order.  However, the most outstanding event of the year occurred on November 4, when a Solemn High Mass was celebrated in honor of the Tenth Anniversary of the parish founding.  The Reverend Albert Zadala, pastor of Assumption B.V.M. Church Detroit, who had offered guidance to the founders of the parish in its early years, delivered the sermon.  A banquet was held in the evening, which was attended by prominent guests, parishioners, and their friends.  As a keepsake of that Jubilee Year, a soft-covered, Tenth Anniversary Book, was published.  Written primarily in the Polish language, the book chronicled a 10-year history of St. Barbara parish, including portraits of former pastors and group photos of the organizations existing in the Jubilee Year.

Although most in the newly established City of Dearborn remained economically depressed throughout the 1930s, parishioners tried to remain optimistic.  There were minimal activities and slight growth in the parish during that time.  Organizations continued to thrive throughout the decade.  In addition to regular services, spiritual needs during the period were continually served by an annual mission or retreat in the winter months, followed by a novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help in either the spring or summer.  The Reverend John Pietrzak (Salesian), Reverend Joseph Jaworski, and Reverend Joseph Gredler (Redemptorist) served the parish in this regard.

Though the parish was still relatively new, renovations and repairs were constantly made to maintain and upgrade the church property.  In June of 1935, parishioners undertook the task of cleaning and painting classrooms and the sisters’ quarters.  This was followed in 1938 by a massive overall repainting of the rectory, school, church, and sisters’ quarters.  In October of 1935, the parish hall was enlarged by the addition of a basement underneath it.  In 1939, this facility was relinquished to the Young Men’s Club to be used for recreational activities.  Redecoration of the hall interiors occurred in August of 1937.

Maintenance and repairs were ongoing.  A new boiler in 1938, combustion stoker in 1936 and 1939, and fire tender and enlarged boiler in 1939 were among the fuel-related expenses.  Perhaps the most enjoyed new addition was the Hammond electric organ, which was installed in 1937.  To raise funds for the organ, a play by the name of wina i kara (Guilt and Punishment) was performed at Fordson High School in 1935.

Additional religious items were added to the church in that period.  New Stations of the Cross were installed and blessed on March 3, 1935.  Side altars, the generous gift of Mr. Victor Malyszko, in memory of his wife and son, were installed on May 7, 1939.

For three consecutive years (1936 – 1938), the parish held a carnival during the last week of June as a fundraiser.  However, in 1939, this initiative was abandoned in lieu of a system of pledge cards.

In January of 1937, the Rt. Reverend Michael J. Gallagher, Bishop of the Diocese of Detroit, died.  He was succeeded by Archbishop Edward J. Mooney, who arrived in Detroit on August 1, 1937, and was installed the following day.  That year, Archbishop Mooney visited St. Barbara for the first time to officiate at the Sacrament of Confirmation on October 31, 1937.

The year 1939 was memorable, both in the spiritual and secular senses.  Pope Pius XI died and was succeeded by Pope Pius XII, who was crowned on March 13, 1939.  Within the City of Dearborn, business was finally emerging from the Depression, and local residents looked forward to the prosperity created by industry that was contributing to the war effort in Europe.  In particular, activities in the parish reflected the times.  On March 19, a collection for German refugees was held, followed on April 30 by a special collection for the Defense of Poland.  That year and in subsequent years, efforts were made to assist the Polish Red Cross in several ventures.  A sewing circle was held in October followed by a collection drive.  To raise additional funds, the Polish Women’s Alliance sponsored a benefit program on December 10, 1939.

By 1941, the congregation had grown to over 2,000 parishioners.  John Tamrack, a local journalist, described the parish in a Dearborn Press article that year:  “Many societies flourish at St. Barbara’s and among them are the altar boys, the senior and young people’s choir, a Young Men’s Club, a bowling league, and many others.”

In early July of 1941, Rev. Anuszkiewicz left St. Barbara to assume the pastorate of St. John Cantius parish in the Delray district of Detroit. He was replaced by Rev. Edward Szumal.

A few short months later, with the bombing of Pearl Harbor, America was officially at war.  Many of St. Barbara’s parishioners were all but too familiar with the tragedies that accompany wartime.  Along with others in the city, they grew their victory gardens, bought war bonds, and prayed for peace.  The parish did not officially record war dead and causalities or, if they did, those records have been lost throughout the years.  From memorial Masses and Young Men’s Club recollections, it is known that at least seven young men from the parish gave their lives for their country from the period 1942 – 1946.  Of those, the first to die was Edward T. Mieszczur, a member of the Young Men’s Club, who perished on May 29, 1943.

In September of 1943, Rev. Szumal left St. Barbara to become Rector of Orchard Lake Seminary.  Rev. Joseph Tompor was assigned to replace him.  A new parish decade was about to begin with a new pastor.

As World War II continued, Rev. Joseph Tompor ministered to the needs of parishioners with the full time assistance of the Reverend Roman Narkun and the weekend help of Rev. Constantine Cyran.  Parish life reflected the mood of the nation.  Mass schedules during the period reveal that stipends were made not only in memory of those who had died in the war, but also for those who were in active combat:  for recovery of wounds sustained while fighting in action, for a safe return, and a thanksgiving once a father, son, or brother was again home.  The Young Men’s Usher’s Club organized a Servicemen’s Club and held various functions, including a bingo on January 21, 1945.  Some gave tokens of remembrance or thanksgiving.  Cass Horrack, a young parishioner, donated an American flag to the parish as a farewell gift before he left for the service. He later returned home safely.  Though wartime dispensation was in effect during Lent and on Ember Days (obligation of fast and abstinence was limited to Ash Wednesday and Good Friday with abstinence from meat on Fridays), parishioners were still encouraged to continue their acts of prayer and self-mortification to bring about peace.

Many collections and wartime drives highlighted this period.  Ladies of the parish conducted house-to-house canvassing to raise funds for the Red Cross.  A Bishop’s War Emergency and Relief Collection was held on March 11, 1945.  In April of that year, the parish participated in a National Clothing Drive, conducted by the UNRRA, with a goal of collecting 150 million pounds of clothing for free distribution to the needy in war-devastated lands.  This was followed in early June by a campaign to collect canned goods, sanitary supplies, and medicine to be distributed to Polish refugees.  These efforts continued even after the war, when a canned food drive was held from December 9 through December 16 for the starving millions in Europe and the Far East.

In April of 1945, the war in Europe was over.  The April 29, 1945, parish bulletin reported St. Barbara’s jubilant response:  “On the proclamation of victory in the European theater of war thoughts should turn to God in thanksgiving for His strong help in repelling the assaults of our enemies.  Immediately after the proclamation that the war in Europe is over, the church bells will ring and at the same evening at 7:30 a Holy Hour will be observed.”  President Truman in his Proclamation to the people of the United States declared Sunday, May 13, 1945, as a special day of Thanksgiving to God for victory in Europe.  A world-wide broadcast of the Family Rosary was held that same day.  Finally, with the surrender of the Japanese forces that summer, a day of Prayer and Thanksgiving for victory was declared for August 19, 1945.

With the end of the war, St. Barbara, as well as the entire Catholic Community, made the transition to peacetime.  Old regulations for fast and abstinence were resumed.  All Catholics from 21 years of age to 60 were obliged under pain of mortal sin to fast every day of Lent except Sunday.  Those over seven years of age were obliged to abstain from meat on all Fridays and Wednesdays of Lent, on Saturday of Ember Week and the forenoon of Holy Saturday.  With few revisions, these rules remained in effect for almost two decades until they were reformed by Vatican II in the 1960s.

Throughout the decade during and following the war, certain liturgical services and parish activities became routine in the parish.  Devotions to the Sacred Heart were observed every First Friday of the month, complete with procession of school children.  Missions were usually conducted for one or two weeks during Lent.  Summer was a time for bringing garden flowers for the altar, going to a parish picnic on Bob-Lo Island, or embarking on a pilgrimage to the grotto of Our Lady of Orchard Lake.  In October, 40 hours devotions were held.  For a considerable period of years, the sisters would routinely ask for piano donations for the school classrooms.

The Young Ladies’ Sodality was an active and visible organization throughout the 1940s.  Membership in the organization was encouraged for “every girl in the parish who is over sixteen and desires to become a better Catholic.”  Many dances were sponsored throughout the years by this group, including a “Snowflake Shuffle” held in the winter of the 25^th Jubilee Year.  One member, Genevieve Lukowski, rose to president of the Archdiocesan Sodality Council.  In 1949, she received the honor to crown the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary at the University of Detroit Marian Day, May 15.  Of course, many of those young ladies soon became young married ladies.  A movement soon grew to organize a group for married women.  The Young Married Ladies’ Sodality (Later Christian Mothers) was organized on June 6, 1951, by Virginia Gruska.

During this period the parish bulletin became a forum for reprimands that needed emphasis beyond the sermons of Sunday mornings.  Parishioners were constantly rebuked for leaving church early, coming in late, and disturbing priests at the rectory during dinner hours and on weekends for non-emergencies.  Women were reminded to wear hats in church.  Some of these lectures took humorous routes.  When new electric fans were installed in church in July of 1949, the parish bulletin chronicler remarked, “Remember!  There won’t be any fans in hell or purgatory and you won’t be able to fall asleep or to run out of those states at your will.”  Another clerical complaint was the mad rush to the altar rail for communion, aptly named, “the last minute 25 yd. dash.”  During summer, fishermen who missed Mass to catch the “the big one” were chastised.

In 1948, Rev. Narkun was replaced by Rev. Joseph Strzelewicz as assistant pastor.  That year Rev. Tompor was deeply occupied with the first of several projects that would mark his pastoral ministry as one of expansive growth.  The sisters were outgrowing their quarters above the school and, with predicted increasing enrollments, more classrooms and more teachers would be required.  Plans were drafted to construct a convent equipped to house about 16 sisters to be built on property north of the church and parish hall.  This impressive structure cost about $163,000 to build.  Rev. Tompor announced to his parishioners that no special “tax” would be required of them to pay for this costly project.  Instead, he suggested that if all would double their Sunday contributions, the cost of construction would be paid within two years.  Financial assistance also came through various organizations.  Among them was the Polish Women’s Alliance, which sponsored a bazaar on October 30 and 31, and on November 1, 1948, in the Parish Hall.  In addition, the Altar Society held a bingo in May of the following year.

At 9 a.m. on Monday, December 6, 1948,  the ground was broken for the Sisters’ Convent.  Construction took about nine months to complete.  Meanwhile, parishioners collected articles needed for the sisters’ new home.  On September 4, 1949, the sisters began the moving process from the rooms above the school into their new quarters.  Two weeks later, on September 25, they held an open house for the generous parishioners who made the building possible.

While this important project kept many occupied, it appeared that another event was almost overlooked.  In 1949, the parish had become 25 years old.  Almost hastily, the parish turned its thoughts to 25^th Jubilee Celebrations as the Feast of St. Barbara approached.  (Perhaps this explains why a 25-year history book was never published.)  Beginning on November 27, 1949, devotions to St. Barbara were conducted every evening in Polish and English until December 4.  On Sunday, December 11, at 10 a.m., a Solemn Mass of Thanksgiving was celebrated.  The Most Reverend Bishop Stephen S. Woznicki, D.D., who, as monsignor, had served temporarily, celebrated the Mass, assisted by the Reverend Andrew Wotta and the Reverend Anthony Kolanczyk as subdeacon.  The Reverend Alexander Cendrowski preached the Jubilee sermon, heard by more than 40 priests, together with parishioners and guests.  Blessing of the new parish convent took place that afternoon.

The early 1950s again brought parish concern for the outside world.  Cardinal Mooney urged all to pray for those in the Korean conflict.  On December 30, 1951, a day of prayer and reparation was called for the victims behind the Iron Curtain and in the Orient.  The spread of Communism became an increasing concern to all within the country and the parish.  The Catholic League for Religious Assistance to Poland became an annual drive in the summer.  On November 15, 1953, a day of prayer for the persecuted Church in Poland was observed.

On the home front, the Legion of Decency pledge was made every year around December 8 to take a stand against immoral literature, motion pictures, and, later, programs from a new modern time-devourer called television.  Parishioners were urged to write Congressman Lesinski to defend the justice of federal aid for parochial schools.  Fluoride treatment for St. Barbara school children was administered in March of 1951.  That same year, the St. Barbara Class F Basketball Team won the Dearborn Recreational Championship under the direction of coach Benny Franas.

Meanwhile, bingo and bowling became the rage.  Throughout the parish history, it appeared that bowling, the “City Sport,” was organized into a parish league at one time or another.  A St. Barbara’s Ladies’ Bowling League was organized in 1949.  On July 26, 1950, a St. Barbara’s Men’s Bowling League was organized by Phil Burch and Stan Oleszko.  The first season was held on September 10, 1950, with a promise:  “Fr. Tompor to bowl first strike.”

In 1950, bingo was held every Monday night in the Parish Hall at 8 p.m.  However, by the following year, the local police department sent a directive that forced the parish to discontinue all bingo games.

The year 1950 was also known as the Holy Year, a time for pilgrimages to famous Catholic shrines.  Early in that year, Rev. Tompor went on a pilgrimage to Rome, Italy.

On Sunday, November 4, 1951, Rev. Joseph F. Tompor celebrated the Silver Jubilee of his ordination to the priesthood.  That morning at 10 o’clock, he celebrated a Solemn Mass of Thanksgiving, assisted by the Reverend Edwin Milka, assistant pastor of Ss. Peter and Paul of Detroit’s Warrendale district and Rev. Roman Narkun, assistant pastor of St. Michael’s in Pontiac, and former assistant of the parish.  Rev. Remigius Steczkowski, O.F.M., guardian of St. Paschal Monastery, Toledo, preached the sermon.  The most Reverend Stephen S. Woznicki, then-Bishop of Saginaw, presided over the service, while the combined choirs of the parish sang under the direction of Leonard Kondrat.

That evening at 6:30 a testimonial banquet was held in the Italian-American Hall on Oakman Boulevard, conducted by Rev. Alexander Cendrowski, procurator of Ss. Cyril and Methodius Seminary at Orchard Lake.  Among the speakers were Rev. Venaty Szymanski, assistant pastor of St. Albertus parish of Detroit, and Chester A. Kosdroj, an attorney.

During his first eight years as pastor, Rev. Tompor had earned the respect, confidence, and support of his parishioners.  Under his direction and with the cooperation of his flock, St. Barbara had manifested noteworthy progress.  Along with the completion of the parish convent, he liquidated the $80,000 parish debt and acquired additional land for the parish.  Yet a new project would soon occupy his ministry that would outshine the rest.

Within a very short period of time, it had become clear that the parish had outgrown the existing church.  In 1945, there were five Masses on Sundays.  By 1948, with the return of those from the war, the “baby boom,” and the increasing city population due to the expansion of industry, the church was bulging with parishioners at services.  The parish in that year served 1,200 families and supported a school of 430 children.  For a while, it became necessary to restrict children from attendance at the last two Masses.  By 1950, the problem was alleviated in part by establishing a Children’s Mass at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday mornings and by requesting that organizations attend the early mass at 7:30 a.m.

By 1951, seven Sunday Masses were celebrated, beginning at 6:30 a.m. and ending with the late Mass at 12:45 p.m.

Then, in 1953, it was proposed that a new church be built to resolve the problem.  Immediately, parish organizations met to determine ways to raise money for the cause.  The first recorded was the Young Ladies’ Sodality “Brick Sale” on June 21, 1953.  The first parishioners to make individual contributions to the project were Marion Matuszewski, Victoria Bieniek, and Albert Dobkowski.  It would be a tough uphill battle.

How does one build a church? With prayers, innovation, hard work, and a lot of money.  The parish needed over $100,000 before groundbreaking could begin on a building originally estimated at $650,000.  It would take talent and sacrifice to achieve this “small miracle.”

On June 6, 1954, Rev. Tompor established a new format for the weekly parish bulletin.  Now called St. Barbara’s News, the publication invited parishioners to contribute articles.  More important, however, the bulletin established an Honor Roll which listed individual contributions to the New Church Fund.  By January of 1955, due to a shortage of funding, each parish family was requested to make a special $100 dollar donation to the church, payable in a lump sum or in four $25 monthly installments.

Organizations tried every possible fundraising scheme short of a parish festival to raise money.  The Ushers’ Club sponsored a drawing of U.S. Savings Bonds.  The Young Married Ladies’ Sodality sold religious articles and held a Pre-Lenten Party.  An all-occasion card sale was conducted in the spring.  The Holy Name Society held a 500-Club Drawing.  Choir members sold their own raffle tickets to raise funds for a new organ.  The Altar Society sponsored a social party.  Saint Barbara’s schoolchildren donated $1,038.  A Bake Sale appeared almost every week on parish grounds as the Rosary Society, Altar Society, Young Ladies’ Sodality, Polish Women’s Alliance, Married Ladies’ Sodality, and Third Order alternated sponsorship.

In January of 1955, Rev. Tompor received permission from Cardinal Mooney to build the new church.  Architects A. Frank Herman and Howard T. Simons designed a structure adapted from Spanish mission architecture, known for its simple grace and beauty.  The specifications included a façade of Plain Bedford stone and a roof of mission tile.  Seating capacity on the main floor was 954; the choir loft, 58.  The main entrance would face Schaefer Road and the structure would lie just north of the rectory.  Rev. Tompor arranged a tentative spring date for groundbreaking with contractor Matthew Lalewicz.  Finally, the groundbreaking ceremony took place on April 17, 1955.

Fundraising continued as the construction continued.  Rev. Joseph Strzelewicz was transferred in the summer of 1954 and was replaced by the Reverend Benedict Rembelski as assistant pastor.  Forty hours devotions occurred annually in October, as did a Bob-Lo outing every June.  A Pantry Shower to supply the sisters’ needs was conducted every fall.  A one-week mission was held in March of 1955.  Modesty in dress, juvenile delinquency, and proper courtship behavior were the concerns during this time.  St. Barbara’s School could boast of a successful graduate:  Dr. Bernard Serrester took time away from his medical practice to write The Frog Murders in 1955.  The publication was available at Hudson’s and Doubleday for $3.00.

Construction of the church foundations progressed to the point of warranting a cornerstone ceremony.  Rev. Tompor originally scheduled this outdoor ceremony for October 16, 1955, but it was rained out and postponed until October 23 at 3 p.m., when the skies were blue and sunny.

Meanwhile, fundraising continued.  A seat collection was instituted at all Masses to benefit the New Church Fund.  Parishioners offered a donation toward the new 1956 calendars.  A parish-wide raffle was a major money raising venture.  Held on November 20, 1955, the drawing offered 16 prizes.  Among them were:  First prize:  Freezer;  Second prize:  RCA TV;  Third prize:  Royal Typewriter;  Fourth prize:  Boy’s Bicycle; and Fifth prize:  Girl’s Bicycle.

On a Wednesday night in early August of 1956, His Eminence Edward Cardinal Mooney dedicated the completed new church.  Assisting the Cardinal at this dedication rite was Rev. Tompor, the Reverend Simon Kilar, pastor of Transfiguration parish in Detroit, and the Reverend Boleslaus Milinkiewicz, pastor of St. Stephen parish in Detroit.  Rev. Rembelski, parish assistant, was officiating deacon.  Monsignor Joseph Breitenbeck and the Reverend Edwin Milka were Masters of Ceremonies.  Monsignor Vincent V. Borkowicz, pastor of St. Stanislaus parish and head of the Central Deanery, preached the sermon.

By 1956, the parish had undergone continued growth, and the school in that year enrolled 480 pupils taught by 11 sisters.  With the completion of the new church, the old church facilities were converted into classrooms and school offices, thereby providing the long-awaited expansion of the school building.  The old-fashioned, drop-leaf school desks were replaced with modern individual ones.  New tile flooring was installed in August of 1958.  Talk began of instituting a school library, and a fund was established.  The cost for completion of the new church and school renovation project amounted to $800,000.  By 1961, the parish stood debt-free in this regard.

Rev. Rembelski was transferred in 1957.  He was replaced by the Reverend Edward Wilk as assistant pastor.

In the late 1950s, church liturgy placed a strong emphasis on devotion to Mary.  Perhaps this was influenced by the 100^th Anniversary of the Apparitions of Our Lady at Lourdes, commemorated in February of 1958.  On that occasion, the Young Ladies’ Sodality and schoolchildren recited a live Rosary.  Novenas to Our Lady of Perpetual Help were conducted regularly on Tuesday nights with encouraged participation.  The Rosary was said daily on radio station WJLB at 7:15 p.m.  A Holy Hour was conducted on New Year’s Eve of 1958 for those in Communist Lands.  On March 22, 1959, the Blue Army players presented a Fatima Play in the parish hall.  Three-day Mass devotions were held between November 18 and 20, 1959, for the blessing of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C.

During this period, parishioners listened to Bishop Fulton Sheen on television and attended his speaking engagements at the Masonic Temple in Detroit.  Children’s religious books by Rev. Daniel A. Lord were stocked in the church pamphlet rack.  Cardinal Mooney issued a letter warning against unnecessary Sunday shopping.  The Holy Name Society was “one hundred strong” at the closing procession of Forty Hours Devotions on October 13, 1959.  Each member received a tie with the Holy Name emblem to wear at the function.  The first seeds of ecumenism were sown when Holy Redeemer parish extended an invitation to a Greek Byzantine Rite on January 11, 1958.

On October 9, 1958, Pope Pius died, ending a papal reign of 19 years.  Cardinal Mooney embarked on a trip to Rome to join the conclave as the parish said a Mass with a special oration, secret, and post-communion prayer for the election of a new pope.  During this time, the parish was busy conducting a census requested by the Chancery from October 5 – 19.  The information would be used “to contact fallen away Catholics, to arrange for baptisms, confirmations, and instructions of neglected children.  Furthermore, plans will be made to erect new parishes, elementary schools, and high schools.”

The Cardinal would never receive the results of the election or the census, as he died in Rome on October 25, three days before the election of Pope John XXIII on October 28.  A 30-day period of mourning was observed for Cardinal Mooney throughout the Archdiocese.  His Excellency John F. Dearden was installed as Archbishop of Detroit shortly thereafter.

St. Barbara parish organized their first Boy Scout troop on March 2, 1958.  Troop D-67 was established in a charter at a church ceremony on March 16 of that year.  Daniel Brennan was the first Scoutmaster, assisted by Joseph Jeske Jr., Anthony Gazdecki, and Edward Reuter.  They were supported by a scouting committee consisting of John Rogaczewski, Alex Corbett, Laurence Hogie, Francis McMahon, Paul Greenwell, Ray Bolak, Joseph Jeske, Sylvino Barlaam, Harry Godzialski, Robert Keller, and Richard Koch.

The troop was divided into three patrols:  the Wolf Patrol, consisting of F. McMahon, W. Rogaczewski, G. Hogie, D. Kiwak, A. Spirka, R. Jeske, and W. Kumm; the Cheyenne Patrol, consisting of D. Corbett, S. Barlaam, A. Plonka, J. Keller, M. Keller, A. Koch, and D. Godzialski; and the Cobra Patrol, consisting of J. Wojtowicz, V. Cini, W. Pietrzyk, P. Greenwell, G. Czubik, W. Dyke, and L. Szymanski.

By the summer, the scouts bustled about looking for tires and scrap metal for projects and made their services available for odd jobs.  They received a copper plaque award at the District 8 Fall 1958 Campout for gaining the highest number of points in the careful handling of firearms, the campout theme.  Enthusiastically, they renewed their charter and gained new members at investiture ceremonies on August 26, 1959.

On June 30, 1959, Cub Scouts were organized for boys in the early grades.  Meeting on the fourth Monday of each month, Cub Scout Pack 1167 was supervised by institutional representative John Rogaczewski, chairman Earl Thomas, Cubmaster Albert Nolan and Den Mother Jane Suchyta.  The Cub Scouts held their investiture on November 29, 1959.  By the end of that year, they received an honor award for the 1959 Fall Roundup.

Meanwhile, the older Boy Scouts continued their activities.  They canoed at Proud Lake, near Milford, on July 10, 1959.  They won blue ribbons in scouting, camping, and cleanliness at the District 8 Fall 1959 Camporee held at Kensington Park.  On February 7, 1960, the 50th Anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America, tents were displayed on the parish lot and the parish scouts attended Holy Hour services at U of D.  In August of 1962, Ray Wright and the Explorer Scouts packed and loaded boxes for the migrant worker drive.  That same year, the troop could boast of six parish “Star Scouts”:  Kenneth Wright, Lawrence Suchyta, Michael Shields, George Hogie, Samuel Barlaam, and Gregory Czubik.

Their female counterparts, the Girl Scouts of America, were organized in the fall of 1959.  Brownies held their first meeting on September 22, while Intermediate Girl Scouts met the following day.  Irene Tellish, parish Girl Scout representative, spent the next two months looking for Scout Leaders.  Among those she enlisted were Mrs. Herman Brindley for Senior Scouts; Mrs. George Theisen for Intermediates; and Mrs. John Radomski and Mrs. Raymond Wright for the Brownies.  On December 13, 1959, a Sunday afternoon, the troops held their investiture, presided over by Rev. Edward Wilk, chaplain to the organization.

In the following year of 1960, the Girl Scouts held a Card and Bunco party on February 25.  During Girl Scout Week in March, they sold their famous cookies and attended communion in a group on Sunday, March 6.  A Holy Hour followed that afternoon at U of D.  That week, at Salina School in Dearborn, the scouts performed in a musical variety show with other troops from the Dearborn area.  Like the parish Boy Scouts, they participated in the annual City Memorial Day Parade.

In 1961, Girl Scouting was 50 years old.  That year, the parish scouts attended the Holy Hour for Girl Scouts on Sunday, March 22.  It was the first year that St. Barbara parish was represented in the Flag Ceremony.  The following evening, at Salina School, the troops performed in a program called “Music in Scouting.”  Leaders responsible for the program were Mrs. Ray Wright, Mrs. John Radomski, Mrs. Albert Nolan, Mrs. Edward Stachulski, Mrs. Steve Stachura, and Mrs. Steve Tellish.  Gold bars in honor of the 50^th Anniversary of Girl Scouting were presented to the leaders.

One former Brownie recalled of those years:  “We went on many outings like the Singer Sewing Center, and to a Doll Hospital.  Then we were on television:  We participated in the games on ‘Milky’s Party Time’ and a show for kids on WXYZ.  There was day camp in the summer at Ford’s Woods where we made Indian dresses out of burlap bags and collected wildflowers.  My favorite time was our Brownie performance at Salina School.  We did a baton dance to ‘76 Trombones’ the first year.  The next year we dressed up like Raggedy-Ann Brownies and danced to Lawrence Welk’s ‘Calcutta.’  We seemed so professional because Sharon Radomski, our Brownie choreographer, had taken dancing classes for several years.”

In September of 1961, Girl Scouting was suspended temporarily in the parish due to the unavailability of Scout Leaders.  By January of 1963, interest grew again as Mary Reese began reorganization.  The Girl Scouts met again in September of 1963.

Organizations thrived during this period.  The Ushers formed a social club on January 12, 1958, meeting once a month.  Their group picture was published in the church bulletin on September 7, 1958.  Single Catholics were served by a Teen Club, a Young Adults Club, and a 30-and-Over Club.  Sodalists were proud of member Mary Ann Satawa, who was selected “Catholic Miss of America” for the November 1958 Catholic Miss magazine.  The Young Married Ladies’ Sodality raised money for a car for the parish sisters and held a raffle for the school library.  In February of 1960, the organization officially became the Christian Mothers.

The Holy Name Society donated communion rail cushions for the new church in April of 1959.  The previous year, the Society formed its own softball team.  Ed Mordarski, a former minor league catcher, was manager of the 18-member team.  Among the star players were Ray Sudek, Marty Orlowski, Albert Muto, Joe Michalik, and Stan Litwin.

Basketball and baseball were youth sports.  The St. Barbara’s Cagers, a basketball team managed by A. Stadnik and coached by Gerald Zitny, were organized in 1959.  By April of 1960, the team became City Champions.  Baseball teams for both boys and girls existed.

By 1958, St. Barbara’s School began to publish graduation pictures in the parish bulletin.  In October of that year, Dr. Molnar encouraged the polio vaccination of schoolchildren.

In September of 1959, the school started its first kindergarten class.  An initiative was established in January of 1960 to raise funds for a new rectory.  The existing building had recently suffered a series of floods, which destroyed many valuable books and papers in a basement library.  Rev. Wilk was transferred during this period in June.  He was replaced by the Reverend Stanley Kukulski as assistant.

In January of 1961, John F. Kennedy, the first Catholic U.S. President, began his term and heralded the “Camelot Years.”  Parishioners watched Ben Hur at the Circle Theatre for $1.25.  All were encouraged to view All in the Family (no relation to the television show featuring the Archie Bunker character), billed as an interesting and thought-provoking 12-week program on station CKLW.  Schoolchildren were given TB tests on October 23.  The following week, on October 29, Rev. Tompor celebrated the 35^th Anniversary of his Ordination with a Solemn Mass of Thanksgiving.

Uniforms were introduced as school wear in September of 1962. As parishioners saved stamps for the missions, some grew concerned over the use of foul words and whether women should wear gloves in church.  The first reform of Vatican II arrived on December 8, 1962, when St. Joseph’s name was added to the Canon of the Mass.

A survey of the parish was conducted in those 50 years by Sisters M. Dorothy and M. Lauretta, CSFN.  Four hundred parish households were contacted; three hundred families responded.

The survey dubbed Dearborn “A City of Advantages,” a place of “clean streets, neighborhood swimming pools and ice rinks, rapid snow removal, regular garbage and rubbish pickup, a 586-acre ‘Citizens Country Club,’ a fine school system, low tax rate and, in the words of its 11-term Mayor Orville L. Hubbard, ‘all this and more too.’” Ford Motor Company was expanding world-wide, and two colleges—Henry Ford Community and the University of Michigan-Dearborn Campus—were newly built. Dearborn was a realization of the national idyll.

Within this dream city, St. Barbara parish was composed of 2,300 families with a total parishioner count of 7,000.  Various ethnic groups were represented, including Polish, German, Italian, Ukrainian, French, Irish, and several Slovak groups.  The birth rate was approximately 130 per year; infant mortality was one per year.

According to the survey:

“Employment in the parish covers a wide range, the largest percent being Factory Employment . . . Only a small amount of mothers are employed outside the home . . . Most of the parents have completed their high school education . . . The families on the whole are average size the largest percent ranging between three to five children per family.  Large families with ten to twelve children are sparse and the only child family ranks about average in comparison with statistics . . . the conveniences in the home are normal in comparison.  Automobiles, televisions, and especially the radio, which averages about three to a home, take the lead.  Mangles and deep freezes fall in the low per cent bracket.”

How did parishioners spend their leisure time?  The survey reported that mothers listed reading, television, cooking, sewing, and “Just spending a quiet evening at home with the family” as responses to this question.  Fathers listed television, bowling, and sports.  Youngsters watched television, skated, danced, and played baseball, football, and basketball.  Cheerleading was thought to be a girlish sport.

In September of 1962, Rev. Tompor and Rev. Kukulski moved from the old rectory to a white trailer between the convent and the parish hall.  This temporary office and living quarters existed while the old rectory was demolished on September 16.  During that year, a new rectory, constructed of red brick and mission tile, was erected on the old rectory grounds.  Several trees were uprooted to the dismay of a few nature lovers.  Wire fencing encircled the construction site.  By summer 1963, the building was completed and an Open House was held for parishioners.

On June 3, 1963, Pope John XXIII died.  Soon after his death, on June 21, Pope Paul VI was elected.  On September 29, 1963, the second session of the Ecumenical Council convened under the direction of the newly elected pontiff.

During that time, the parish welcomed two new assistants.  In June, the Reverend John Krol arrived.  Rev. Krol was a survivor of the concentration camps in World War II before being freed by American soldiers from the First Army. The second assistant, Father Joseph Grzelak, arrived on September 15, 1963.

Then on November 22, 1963, a memorial appeared in the parish bulletin:

The death of John Fitzgerald Kennedy, the first Catholic President of the United States, occurred suddenly and tragically in the early afternoon of Friday, Nov. 22, 1963.  He was shot to death in a cowardly but arrogant manner by a man whose motive may never be known to us on this earth.  Whatever the motive, it seems to have been engendered by hate, and self-pity which gave rise to arrogance.  It is ironical that the President uttered his famous phrase, ‘Ask not what you can do for your country’ and was assassinated by a man who demanded the country bow to his every whim — including expatriation.

We will long remember John F. Kennedy, not only because he (was) one of our assassinated Presidents, but because he was a man of principle, courage, and devotion to his family.  We Catholics will have a special place for him in our memories because, perhaps, we felt he had symbolized a victory over bigotry by being elected President, the first Catholic in our history.

One parishioner recalled:

School was dismissed early that Friday.  Who could study?  A Solemn Memorial Mass was said at St. Barbara’s within days of the assassination.  The children’s school choir sang Mozart’s Requiem as Father Tompor celebrated the Mass before a catafalque draped in black.

On July 19, 1964, the following article appeared in the parish bulletin:

HELP WANTED

Male and female help wanted.  Must be St. Barbara’s parishioner.  Must have experience at being a Catholic.  We offer on the job training.  Fringe benefits are all spiritual.

Right now we don’t know exactly what you’re going to do.  But we’ll soon find out from Rome.  With the rejuvenation going on in the Church today we need people here at St. Barbara’s who are not afraid to “get involved” in the life of the parish community.

Here’s an advance, non-official idea of the jobs we have to fill from among our parishioners:  men commentators at the Masses on Sundays; men and women (young and old) with singing voices to sing some of the parts of the Mass; men lectors who will read the epistle and gospel selections        at Mass; men and women “ringers” who will be sprinkled throughout the congregation who will encourage others to vocal participation in the Mass prayers of worship.

These and other “positions” are up for grabs in our parish.  So far we have two young men and two women who have volunteered to be of help wherever they can be of use.  If you’d like a job in our parish community, notify Fr. Grzelak, our “personnel manager.”  He assures that you will work among nice people.

The “fresh air” of the Ecumenical Council had arrived at St. Barbara parish.  To many, it blew about like a Michigan tornado with all its dizzying effects.  It is true that liturgical changes had occurred throughout Church history.  Within the 20^th century alone, the Vatican periodically updated regulations on fasting and other Church matters.  Yet, few parishioners appeared prepared for the whirlwind of changes that were about to come.

Looking back, the renewal encompassed approximately a decade.  However, enough reforms occurred during that period that a prodigal Catholic from the early 1960s would, by 1970, hardly recognize the Church he had left behind.  The most apparent changes involved the Mass.  No longer said in Latin, the service was gradually changed to the vernacular by October of 1967.  For Polish-speaking parishioners, a Polish High Mass was instituted in February of 1966.  Parishes throughout Catholicism established dialogue Masses in which the congregation responded and prayed along with the priest during worship.  For these purposes, a new missal and corresponding missalettes for the laity were developed.  The new missal included a choice of four canons and more selections of scripture so that the entire Bible could be read in three years.

Lay participation in worship went beyond the pew and prayer book.  All were encouraged to sing.

Hymnals and racks to hold them were installed in St. Barbara parish in 1965.  The following year, church hymn boards were hung on the front walls of the church, their numerals printed by parishioner Ron Boshaw.  Those present at Mass were invited to bring offertory gifts to the main altar.

Laymen were also encouraged to read the epistles and the recently instituted Old Testament readings before the congregation.  A training program for commentators and lectors was begun on April 4, 1965.  Among the first to take part in the training were Edward Hamel, Joseph Markulicz, Bernie Stec, Ralph Suchyta, Phil Voltattorni, Frank Weyer, and Bob Wilk.

A portable altar was installed on the sanctuary floor before the main altar, which allowed the priest to face the congregation during Mass.  Communion under two species—bread and wine—was allowed on certain occasions, such as Nuptial Masses.  Evening weddings were permitted.  Violet vestments replaced black ones at funerals in June of 1967.  By 1970, white vestments were used.  Saturday evening Masses at 5:30 and 7 p.m. fulfilled Sunday obligation.

It is useful to remember that these changes occurred during the ultimate Generation Gap of the 1960s, in which the younger generation, known as “baby boomers” or simply “boomers,” butted up against the values and beliefs of their parents and grandparents.  It was also a period of highly charged emotions concerning the Vietnam War.  The younger generation challenged the status quo in terms of their governmental and political views, in addition to their cultural tastes.  Two “special Masses” were added at St. Barbara at this time.  One, which caused consternation among the older generation, was the “guitar Mass.”  In April of 1968, the high school CCD prepared the liturgy during their classes.  The first “guitar Mass” was held in church on June 9, 1968, for 12^th Grade graduates.  The parish bulletin described it as “a mass in a young people’s style” but neglected to report the reaction of elders.

During this period of ecclesiastical confusion, the parish administration experienced its own dramatic changes.  Rev. John Krol was transferred in October of 1964 and was replaced by the Reverend Joseph Drogowski.  In October of 1965, Rev. Tompor became ill and entered Mercywood Hospital in Ann Arbor for observation and rest.  Due to his prolonged absence, Archbishop Dearden appointed the Reverend Thaddeus Wypijewski as administrator on March 8, 1966, and transferred Rev. Drogowski.  Parishioners, curious about the correct pronunciation of the new administrator’s name, soon learned at a PTG meeting that it was pronounced, “V.P.S. Kee.”  In August of 1966, Rev. Tompor resigned his pastorship, the longest in parish history, and accepted retirement at Carmel Hall.  Rev. Wypijewski was appointed pastor on August 17, 1966.

Many of the Church reforms were the result of a world-wide synod that began on the parish level in August of 1967.  Instructions on the renewal were taught through Sunday sermons, three television programs, and printed literature.  All parishioners were invited to attend discussions headed by a parish synod committee consisting of Rev. Wypijewski, Rev. Grzelak, Sister M. Aloysius, Clarence Nowak, Virginia Gruska, and Susan Suchyta.  The synod discussed issues regarding community affairs, the laity, administration, worship, the religious life, and education.  Parishioners were then asked to vote on proposals from these meetings between December 10 and 17, 1967, and on January 7, 1968.  A diocesan synod followed in March of 1969 at Cobo Hall.

The laity was encouraged to become involved in the operation of the parish through the Parish Council.  St. Barbara parish held its first Parish Council meeting on Sunday, February 6, 1966, in the parish hall.  Officers of every organization were requested to attend.  The framework of this early council consisted of a chairman, a secretary, and a representative from each organization.  The first council members were Joseph Musial (Chairman and Ushers), Helen Guido (Secretary and Christian Mothers) (both elected for one year), Helen Jasionowicz (Alliance Dancers), Clara Burch (Altar Society), August DiFazio (Boy Scouts), Phil Voltattorni (Cub Pack), Paula Trotto (Brownies), Albert Muto (Holy Name Society), Frank Weyer (Lectors), Sophie Maciag (Legion of Mary), Angeline Bolak (NCCW), Angeline Lepiczynski (O. L. Auxiliary), Fred Wolski (PTG), Vincent Tychulski (Polish American Senior Citizens), Lottie Pawlak (PWA), Anna Pokocka (Rosary Society), Angeline Crongeyer (St. Anthony Society, PRCU), Sister Georgia (Sisters), Catherine Nawrocki (Third Order), Andrew Hebda (PNA), and Frank Wozniak (25 and up).

By Synodal Decree, the council began reorganization in 1969.  Organizational representatives were eliminated and a Steering Committee served in the interim.  By the following year, they had restructured the council.  It provided for a group consisting of parish priests, sisters, elected council members, and chairmen of four standing committees:  Worship, Christian Service, Christian Formation, and Finance.  The first elected officers of the Parish Council were Anthony Bloink, Raymond Sudek, Phil Voltattorni (all three-year terms); Angeline Bolak, Joseph Musial, Betty Pujdowski (all two-year terms); and Frank Mycek, Thomas Ubik, and Fred Wolski (all one-year terms).

While this rejuvenation of the Christian mind and heart continued, the parish undertook its own renovation project, specifically, the building of a new parish hall.  As early as 1965, this idea had been discussed.  That year, both the Rosary Society and PWA donated proceeds from their socials for the purpose.  Enthusiasm became uncertain during the illness of Rev. Tompor but was rekindled in May of 1967, when Rev. Wypijewski established an Activities Building Memorial Fund.  By October of that year, plans were formulated for a new parish facility to be erected on the site of the existing parish hall and surrounding area.

In April of 1968, the parish hall, which had served the community for nearly 40 years, was razed.  Contracts for the construction of the new hall were signed the following month, but building was postponed due to various trade union strikes.  The cost of the gymnasium-sized facility, together with some school modernization, was estimated at $225,000.

Construction of the new hall began in June of 1968.  The entire project took almost a year and was filled with inconveniences.  Lacking the traditional stage for a backdrop, the 8^th Grade class of 1968 was photographed in a classroom.  Organizations also held their meetings in the school.  Rev. Wypijewski grew concerned that delays in the renovations would cause problems when school reopened in the fall.  The schoolchildren enthusiastically aided the fundraising through bake sales, paper drives, candy sales, seed sales, a school newspaper, and a kindergarten program, and fortunately, this phase of construction was completed in time for classes to begin.

The building was near completion when the PTG held a meeting there on April 27, 1969.  Martin Orlowski had designed a cross to hang over the new stage.  Finally, dedication ceremonies for the new building were observed on September 21 after the 9 a.m. Mass.  An Open House was held to commemorate the hall and school facilities, which lasted until 2 p.m.  The cost of the entire project amounted to $338,025.

Scouting continued to be “alive and well.”  Girl Scout Troops 2108 and 757 were reorganized in 1964 by Maxine Henry, Mary Ann Shepherd, and Mary Kaza.  The girls enjoyed camping at Ivory Farms and Camp Dearborn.  That same year, Mrs. Kosko and Mrs. Slomba reorganized the Brownies.  Troop leaders in years following were Mrs. Wisk, Elizabeth Voltattorni, and Mrs. Williamson.

Parish Boy Scouts won distinguished awards.  On January 19, 1964, 14 parish Cub Scouts earned the Parvuli Dei (Children of God) Emblem, an award given for advancement in religious knowledge and spiritual growth.  Those who received the award were James Cipollone, Ralph Clevenger, Richard Godzialski, Thomas Koch, Mark Misko, Gregory Ozimek, Frank Ricci, Edward Riley, Christopher Rzonca, Leo Sherling, Mitchell Suchyta, David Szabla, Robert Szchechura, and Dennis Voltattorni.  By the next year, Cubmaster Phil Voltattorni could boast of eight more scouts receiving the award:  Michael Addison, Patrick Berna, Erick Giovanni, Robert Henry, David Kozicki, Richard Kiwak, Michael Sobczak, and Tom Teely.

In 1966, those of Polish ancestry grew aware of their heritage through the Polish Millenium.  This event commemorated the 1000^th Anniversary of the Polish state in Poland and the country’s conversion to Christianity.  By the baptism of Mieszko I of Poland and his royal household in 966, Poland was recognized by Christian Europe as a nation.

Polish societies in the parish planned ahead for this event.  In 1964, PNA Group 2525 sponsored the Alliance Dancers, a group of school age children learning both folk and contemporary dance.  Their first recital was held on May 8, 1964, in the parish hall.  Polish Language classes began in the school in October of 1964, and a pageant play was held during that Christmas season.

On May 3, 1966, the traditional day of Poland’s birth, the parish held a novena.  A diocesan observance of the Millenium occurred later in the year on September 4 in Detroit.  Bishop Rubin of Poland dedicated a monument at Washington Boulevard.  A Mass was celebrated at Cobo Hall, followed by a banquet.

In September of 1969, another Polish visitor arrived in Detroit.  The parish bulletin chronicled the visit of a certain Cardinal Wojtyła of Krakow, who was on an American tour “to thank the American Poles for their great help extended the Church in Poland during the most critical years in its history.”  Along with a biographical sketch of this distinguished visitor, the parish bulletin mentioned that he would be in Detroit on September 22 and at a banquet at Orchard Lake the next day.  It is not known how many parishioners attended the function or how many paid attention to the bulletin article.  Few could foresee that this foreign guest would one day become Pope John Paul II, and then would rise to sainthood.

Nevertheless, the Cardinal sent a thank you letter to his Detroit hosts (in Polish).  Below is a translation:

Honored Reverend Father,
After arriving in Rome I wished to convey to the reverend pastor my great joy surrounding our meeting in Detroit.  I thank you for the promise of daily prayers for the Church in Poland — I also express my deep gratitude for the monetary gift received to your venerable pastor and the wonderful people of your parish.  Both gifts will help the needy Church of Poland.  Wishing you all the heartfelt blessings of God.
– Karol Cardinal Wojtyla

St. Barbara School held its First Annual Clean-Up Parade on May 20, 1966.  Mayor Hubbard of Dearborn was present at the event, which was initiated by Rev. Wypijewski and Sister M. Georgia.  Floats, costumed students, and bicycles followed a route down Colson to Hartwell to Ruby and back to the school on Calhoun.  Spectators that first year saw a Miss St. Barbara Clean-Up Queen, baton twirlers, a Suzie Spotless, a wheelbarrow fleet, carpenters, painters, flowers, “The Man from Trash,” and Batman.

Following the parade, an assembly was held.  Student Michael Guido opened the program with his “Clean-Up Song.”  After speeches by the mayor, pastor, and City dignitaries, the 7^th Grade girls closed the program with a “Clean-Up A’ Go-Go” song.

No matter the degree of confusion within the parish—over renewal, the new “mini fashions,” or whether we should go to the moon—greater turmoil existed beyond the St. Barbara community.  The Vietnam War raged in Southeast Asia.  The parish bulletin requested prayers for the safe return of young parishioners fighting in this controversial conflict.  Of the many young men from Dearborn who died in combat, Robert J. Bonnici and Robert Nozewski were from the St. Barbara parish.  As a memorial for their son, Mr. & Mrs. Bernard Nozewski offered to have a clock installed in the choir loft of the church.

Death sadly shrouded the community several times during that decade.  On July 9, 1968, Rev. Bronius Dagilis, a weekend helper for 11 years, lost his life in a fiery crash on the Ford Expressway when his car collided with a gasoline truck.  The following year, Rev. Tompor died on December 21, 1969.

To the very end, there were those who remembered the retired pastor and were touched by his life.  Early on the day he died, St. Barbara’s 7^th Graders Sue Ashenbrenner, Karen Koch, Mary Gazarek, Denise Chmielewski, Sandra Larken, Maureen McMaster, Nancy Schepis, Anna Stachura, and Debbie Stuart were singing Christmas carols for the elderly at Carmel Hall and visited briefly with Rev. Tompor.  When they later learned of his death, the girls went caroling in the neighborhood.  The money they collected went for Masses in his memory.

A wake was held at the parish rectory on December 22.  The next day, the body of the former pastor lay in state in the church until the hour of services on Christmas Eve.  John Cardinal Dearden officiated at the “white” funeral Mass.  Monsignor Alexander Cendrowski, a close friend and classmate of Rev. Tompor, gave the eulogy.  Pallbearers Frank Gach, Frank Gruska, Chester Janeczko, Joseph Musial, Frank Padzieski, and Joseph Wach accompanied the coffin from the rectory while Stephen Dobkowski, Chester Janeczko, Joseph Musial, Albert Muto, Albert Nolan, and Edward Schmidlin assisted at the funeral. Burial followed at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery.

In October of 1971, Rev. Grzelak was transferred and replaced by the Reverend Henry Waraksa.  That same year, a convent garage was built, and the adjacent lots were paved.  The parish also acquired a new organ, a Rodgers 990, dedicated on November 21.  A recital followed, performed by Eric Franker.  In 1973, a library room was constructed at the northeast corner of the school through the carpentry efforts of Marty Orlowski, Marty Orlowski Jr., and Joseph Wach.  Later that year, Rev. Waraksa was transferred.

It was a decade when, for better or worse, society “did its own thing.”  Personal accomplishments and honors abounded at St. Barbara.  In 1964, Virginia Gruska was elected First Vice-President of the Wayne West Central Deanery of the Council of Catholic Women.  That same year, Ford Motor Company named A. Stadnik “Citizen of the Year.”  In 1967, artist Joseph Markiewicz donated three oil paintings (the Good Shepherd, Head of Christ, and Easter Lilies) to the rectory.  That October, Marcelline Sattler was approved as a non-voting member to the World Congress of the Lay Apostolate in Rome.  Student Jim Nowak was a National Merit Scholarship winner in 1968, while Susan Jagniszak won a PLAV contest for the essay “How I would improve our government.”  That same year, the CYO presented Maxine Henry with the Ed Crowe Award.  Pauline Kedziorek became parish sacristan in 1969, a position she would hold for many years.

Earl Wendt painted a portrait of Cardinal Dearden for the rectory in 1970.  On May 20 of that year, a testimonial dinner was held for Coach Ed Gadulka.  For her outstanding service to Catholic Girl Scouts, Arcoline Trotto received the St. Anne Medal.  In 1973, the Polish Activities League proclaimed Josephine Dobkowski “Sweetheart of the Year” for her devoted service of over 20 years.

The pastor was not overlooked.  On September 27, 1973, Mayor Orville L. Hubbard appointed Rev. Wypijewski to the City Beautiful Commission.  The pastor had impressed the mayor at Arbor Day and Clean-Up parade assemblies with his view that “fighting litter is everyone’s business and responsibility.”  He was the first clergyman appointed to the Commission.

A decade of excitement and chaos was highlighted by numerous accomplishments.  There was cause to celebrate as the parish entered its 50^th year in 1974.

For the next 20 years, there were no major advancements, additions, or changes within St. Barbara parish.  But throughout those years, St. Barbara continued to thrive amidst a changing population and landscape.  Marriage vows were exchanged and renewed, and baptisms and funeral Masses were celebrated.  General activities of parish life continued, as well as many special events.  As had always been the case, a great emphasis was placed on Catholic traditions tied to Polish traditions and customs.  Easter baskets brimming with symbolic foods and butter lambs were blessed, parishioners prayed before the tomb of Christ (Grób Pański), and votive candles burned before a replica of Our Lady of Częstochowa.  During Advent and Christmas, Advent wreaths were lit, mangers were prepared in anticipation of the Christ child, and szopkas were displayed in accordance with the 19^th century Christmas tradition that originated in Krakow, Poland.

Within the Dearborn community, change was ongoing.  In 1924—the same year in which St. Barbara parish was founded—Dearborn had opened its first public library in the building that became known as the Bryant Branch when, in 1977, Katharine Wright Bryant campaigned for the branch and developed its plan.

With the opening of the three-level Fairlane Town Center on March 2, 1976, Dearborn became a major shopping destination for consumers within Detroit’s tri-county area.  Some of the unique original features of the mall were an elevated monorail car that shuttled shoppers from the mall to the nearby Hyatt Regency Hotel and back, a main floor ice skating rink, and three major department stores:  Hudson’s, Sears, and JCPenney.  Lord & Taylor and the first Coffee Beanery were added in 1978, and Saks Fifth Avenue was added in 1980.  After several renovations and store closures throughout the succeeding years, Ford, which had offices in Fairlane Town Center, closed its offices there in 2020.  A movie theater that was later added also closed that year.  In March of 2023, the mall was sold to the Kohan Retail Investment Group.

Orville L. Hubbard (April 2, 1903 – December 16, 1982), Dearborn’s mayor from 1942 to 1978, was a self-acknowledged segregationist who was notorious for his unapologetic racist views.  He served 15 consecutive terms, his last term beginning in 1973.  He was succeeded in 1978 by John O’Reilly Sr., who served until 1986.

While many groundbreaking changes were taking place within the City of Dearborn, the Archdiocese of Detroit embarked on a major reorganization of Catholic churches within the Archdiocese in the 1980s in order to better align resources.  In 1989, 30 parishes closed, and another 25 were slated for potential closure.  It was reported that there were 203,000 students enrolled in Catholic schools in 1964 in a total of 360 schools operated by the Archdiocese.  That number would decrease by nearly eight times over the ensuing decades due to Detroit’s White population leaving the city for the suburbs, an increase in charter schools, a decreasing number of teaching nuns, a shrinking number of African American Catholics, and rising rates of Catholic tuition.  No stranger to change, St. Barbara parish navigated the endless twists and turns of a shifting world.

The composition of Dearborn’s population also continued to evolve in major ways.  The first Arab immigrants, who were primarily Lebanese Christians, or Maronites, had arrived in the United States in the early- to mid-20^th century.  Like so many immigrant populations before them, they came to work in the automotive industry.  Then, in the 1990s and 2000s, fleeing wars in Iraq and Syria, the first refugees from those countries began settling in Dearborn and in bordering Detroit suburbs.  Reflecting those changes, by 1990, the first Arab American, Suzanne Sareini, was elected to the Dearborn City Council.

In approximately 1994, St. Barbara School succumbed to the changing times and closed its doors permanently.

Dearborn’s immigrant populations continued to increase, and as of 2006, the City of Dearborn had the largest population of Arab Americans in the United States and the largest Lebanese American population in the United States.  Other Middle Eastern immigrants, including Assyrians, have since settled in Dearborn, and immigrants from Yemen, Iraq, and the Palestine territories—most of whom are Muslims—have followed.

The Islamic Center of America—the largest mosque in North America—was built in Dearborn by Arab Americans, as was the Dearborn Mosque.  The Arab American National Museum, which opened in January of 2005, is also located in Dearborn.  Since 2003, many more Iraqi refugees have fled war in their country and settled in Dearborn.  A stretch of Warren Avenue has become a center of commerce for the Arab American community.

Changes continued within the Archdiocese of Detroit as well, seeming to coincide with the changes taking place in Dearborn.  In 2000, St. Barbara parish was clustered with St. Cunegunda Catholic Church at 5900 St. Lawrence Street in Detroit, founded in 1927.  St. Cunegunda is located two miles northeast of St. Barbara.  St. Cunegunda may have shared the same architect as St. Barbara.  The two parishes have remained clustered since 2000.

The Archdiocese of Detroit’s new model for realignment of its parishes, called Families of Parishes, was announced in 2020.

On January 1, 2022, Abdullah Hammoud became the first Arab American mayor to serve Dearborn in the city’s history.

As of 2022, according to the City of Dearborn’s 2022 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, Ford Motor Company—whose world headquarters is in the city—continued to be the City of Dearborn’s largest employer, followed by Beaumont Health and the School District of the City of Dearborn.

As of 2024, schools in the Archdiocese of Detroit were serving only 27,000 students as compared to the 203,000 students who were enrolled in 1964.  As school enrollment continued to decline and church attendance continued to dwindle, structural realignment was inevitable.  But Catholics continued to celebrate milestones.

In 2024, St. Barbara Roman Catholic Church celebrated 100 years of faithful service with several joy-filled events spread out over the course of the year.  The entire year focused on events that highlighted the Eucharistic banquet, a highlight of the church’s 100-year history.  By design, there were no parties or socials, but rather events that took place in the church and which emphasized parishioners of Polish and Italian descent.

There was a Polka Folk Mass in May and a visit of the relics of St. Padre Pio on November 17, at which it was estimated that 2,500 people attended.  Events that shined a spotlight on parishioners’ Detroit roots included a Mass with Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron in April and Blessed Solanus Casey’s relics in September.  As a prelude to the festivities, on December 10, 2023, the parish paid homage to the contributions of their newest members with a Mass in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe featuring the musical group Mariachi 2000.

On January 6, 2024, the West Side Detroit Polish American Historical Society honored St. Barbara on its 100^th anniversary at the Society’s Seventeenth Annual Opłatek at St. Colette Catholic Church, the Society’s headquarters, along with recognizing Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Church Warrendale on their 100^th anniversary and the Polish Alliance Dancers and Gen. Pulaski Language School on their 60^th anniversary.  Numerous former and current St. Barbara parishioners attended the event.  They were invited to submit their favorite memories of St. Barbara in a special “memory box” that the board members had set up for that purpose.  The board members also collected several memories that were shared on Facebook and through email.

The majority of the memories submitted focused on attending school and Mass at St. Barbara.  Many recalled reciting the Rosary in Polish.  Many shared that they received the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, and marriage at St. Barbara.

Most placed a tremendous emphasis on the exemplary education that they received there.  One contributor—one of eight siblings who attended school at St. Barbara’s and one of St. Barbara’s few Irish parishioners—wrote that her mother was surprised when her brother got a better mark in Polish than in English.

Another contributor wrote that she came to the U.S. directly from Poland when she was very young, and she knew no English when she arrived at St. Barbara’s School.  She attended the school beginning in 1952, when she was in the 3^rd Grade.  The nuns were very nice, but there was one nun who all the students were afraid of.  That contributor, like several others, recalled the processions that were held outside, such as the May Crownings and devotions.  During the May Crowning, one girl was chosen to crown Mary and the others made up her court.  The processions were held in very high regard.

Finally, a woman who attended St. Barbara’s from 1966 to 1976 (from kindergarten through 8^th Grade) shared that she was a cheerleader in the 8^th Grade.  The boys’ basketball team played a game against the cheerleaders.  “Mr. G,” the basketball coach, was rooting for the girls to beat the boys and gave the girls some advantages in order to win.

The 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd Graders played behind the school and church at lunch recess.  Students in the other grades played in the street, which was blocked off so that cars could not enter.

She recalled festivals that included games, a cake walk, gambling and cards, and food.

One of her best memories was of singing Sto lat! (“One Hundred Years”) to Fr. Ted.

St. Barbara Roman Catholic Church rests in the midst of a unique place in which numerous Arab American-owned businesses flourish.  It is a community where people of diverse backgrounds continue to live, work, and worship as they have for decades and where they strive to build better lives for themselves, their children, and their neighbors.  Despite the changing neighborhood around the parish and an ever-evolving congregation, ethnicity is maintained to the utmost extent, the church’s Polish roots revered while honoring the contributions of its newest parishioners.

As of 2025, the church’s pastor is the Reverend Zbigniew Grankowski, who has served the parish since 1994.  He was preceded by the Reverend John Rakoczy.  St. Barbara Roman Catholic Church is considered a Polish Ethnic Parish where Polish religious traditions are preserved.

Sources:

• The majority of this article, up to the 50^th year anniversary reference, was lifted from the following article, with minor grammatical changes and historical references interspersed:
• CAP at Orchard Lake:  “History of St. Barbara Parish:  St. Barbara, Six Decades of Growth 1924 – 1983.  Dearborn, Michigan, p. 12 – 64.”  Courtesy of Valerie Koselka.

Other Sources:

• Gallagher, Winnie.  Email to WSDPAHS Treasurer Barbara Misiolek Gamble.  March 16, 2024.
• https://creativegene.blogspot.com/2010/10/polish-catholic-churches-of-dearborn-st.html
• https://creativegene.blogspot.com/2010/10/polish-catholic-churches-of-detroit-st_23.html
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dearborn,_Michigan
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairlane_Town_Center
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orville_L._Hubbard
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Catholic_Archdiocese_of_Detroit
• https://theconversation.com/a-brief-history-of-dearborn-michigan-the-first-arab-american-majority-city-in-the-us-216700
• Kadela, Judi.  Emails to the author.  December 4, 2023, and May 2, 2024.
• Onyskin Panagos, Pamela.  Email to WSDPAHS Treasurer Barbara Misiolek Gamble.  March 14, 2024.
• St. Barbara 1924 – 1983.  Courtesy of Judi Kadela.
• St. Barbara Parishioner Handwritten Memories.  Livonia, MI:  January 6, 2024.
• Szabla, Helen.  Informal telephone conversation with the author.  West Bloomfield, MI:  May 9, 2024.

Photos and Images:

• Louis Golembieski and Estelle Politowski wedding portrait, St. Barbara Roman Catholic Church, Dearborn, Michigan, September 29, 1928.  From the collection of WSDPAHS Treasurer Barbara Misiolek Gamble.  Used with permission.
• Stanley Swiatkowski’s Market, John Schaefer and ladies, 1924.  From St. Barbara 1924 – 1983.  Courtesy of Judi Kadela.
• Rev. Raphael J. Chrząszcz, first pastor of St. Barbara Roman Catholic Church, ca. 1924.  From St. Barbara 1924 – 1983.  Courtesy of Judi Kadela.
• Stanley Swiatkowski with Rev. Vincent Anuszkiewicz, pastor of St. Barbara parish from 1925 – 1941, in front of the Church-School building, ca. 1928.  Ibid.
• Jacob Kolodziej’s home at 5211 Bingham in Dearborn, ca. 1927, where the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth lived temporarily while teaching at St. Barbara parish.  Ibid.
• Mary Mother of Jesus the Good Shepherd, born Frances Siedliska, foundress of the Community of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth, ca. 1928.  Ibid.
• St. Barbara parish hall, originally a store located at Ford Road and Schaefer, ca. 1929.  Ibid.
• Two-story annex added to the existing St. Barbara church buildings, ca. 1930.  Ibid.
• Rev. Roman Narkun, assistant pastor of St. Barbara from 1943 – 1948, with parish ladies, ca. 1944.  Ibid.
• Rev. Joseph F. Tompor, St. Barbara pastor from 1943 – 1966 (the longest pastorship in the parish history), recites prayers before the groundbreaking ceremonies for the new church on April 17, 1955.  Ibid.
• Sr. M. Georgia and other educators at a Glass House dinner at the Ford World Headquarters building in Dearborn, Michigan, ca. 1966.  Ibid.
• The marriage ceremony of Richard Fanco and Judith (“Judi”) Smerecki at St. Barbara Roman Catholic Church in Dearborn on June 14, 1974, at the main altar and Judi at the altar of Our Lady placing flowers during the singing of Ave Maria.  Photos courtesy of WSDPAHS members Richard and Judi Fanco.  Used with permission.
• Sr. Mary Fidelis, Principal of St. Barbara School, with Rev. Thaddeus Wypijewski and others as St. Barbara School accepts the donation of a Bennington flag from the VFW Ford Dearborn Post 1494 during the nation’s Bicentennial celebration.  From St. Barbara Parish 1924 – 1983.  Courtesy of Judi Kadela.
• St. Barbara’s Honor Guard of May Procession consisting of 8^th Grade girls, 1982.  Ibid.
• Rev. Zbigniew Grankowski, Pastor of St. Barbara, and WSDPAHS member Agnes Bongero at the Society’s Eighth Annual Spring Pilgrimage & Święconka, April 11, 2015.  Photograph by Alina Klin, Ph.D.  WSDPAHS archives.
• St. Barbara Roman Catholic Church Dearborn exterior, 2025.  https://www.saintbarbaradearborn.org
• St. Barbara welcomes West Side Detroit Polish American Historical Society pilgrims at the Society’s Third Annual Pilgrimage & Święconka, April 10, 2010.  Photograph by Laurie A. Gomulka.  WSDPAHS archives.
• Christ’s tomb at St. Barbara.  Ibid.
• Rev. Gary Michalik (left), WSDPAHS President, and Rev. Zbigniew Grankowski, Pastor of St. Barbara, at the Society’s Third Annual Pilgrimage & Święconka, April 10, 2010.  Ibid.
• Christ’s body inside the Easter tomb at St. Barbara parish in Dearborn.  Photo by WSDPAHS Director Valerie Koselka, received March 17, 2024.  Used with permission
• Pope St. John Paul II stained glass window in St. Barbara parish in Dearborn.  Photo by WSDPAHS Director Valerie Koselka, received March 17, 2024.  Used with permission
• St. Barbara altar at Christmas.  Photo by WSDPAHS Director Valerie Koselka, received March 17, 2024.  Used with permission
• WSDPAHS Director Emerita Aleksandra Porter stands outside St. Barbara Roman Catholic Church at the Society’s Eighth Annual Spring Pilgrimage & Święconka, April 11, 2015.  Photograph by Alina Klin, Ph.D.  WSDPAHS archives
• Sisters Who Have Served the Parish of St. Barbara.  From St. Barbara 1924 – 1983.  Courtesy of Judi Kadela.