History of St. Thomas Parish

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St. Thomas the Apostle Parish est. 1948

When Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Smith were approached by Msgr. Hyland in the name of Bishop Haas, to donate some land for a Church in this part of Muskegon County, they asked that the Church be named St. Thomas. Their son Thomas had been killed as he got off the bus in front of their house coming home from St. Mary’s School. Thus St. Thomas the Apostle became the titular name of the new Church. 2 ½ acres on the corner of Apple & Dangl were donated in memory of their son.

1948

Father Rudolf Hornberger OFM and Father Clementin Grosskopf OFM were appointed to start a new Parish in East Muskegon.

Nov 7: First Mass was held at the Egelston Town Hall at 8:20 a.m. with about 100 people in attendance. The 11:00 Mass at the rectory was attended by about 75.

Nov 21: First Baptism: Thomas Calkins by Fr. Rudy

Nov 22: The Altar Society was established and the first meeting was held.

November: First Choir established under the direction of Mrs. Ray Jasicki Sr. and Fr. Clem

1949

Jan 7: First Wedding: Wm. R. Fitzsimmons & Ruth Lindefield

Jan 16: First Sick Call

Jan 19: First Youth Group about 25 attended

Feb 6: Plans were made for building the Church/Hall

Feb 12: Three High School Students received their First Holy Communion: Patricia Belgardt, Frank Wal, & Josephine Halleah

Apr 17: Easter Masses: 9:00 a.m at Grange Hall & 11:00 a.m at Egeleston Hall.

May 8: 28 Children received their First Holy Communion.

Aug 19: First Funerals: Dr. C. Derezinski & Wm. Dutcher
Nov 27: Ground broke and cornerstone laid for new Church/Hall combination designed by Harry L. Meade and Chas. M. Norton of Grand Rapids and built by Acme Builders of Muskegon Heights.

1950

May 13: First Mass celebrated in our New Church

1951

Jan 7: First Christmas Party

1953

The rest of Joseph Smith’s property was purchased. Entire Church property consists of 25 acres.

1954

February 2: First Evening Mass is held – First Friday

1955

Fr. Robert Dentzman OFM Teacher at Muskegon Catholic makes residence at St. Thomas.

1957

Fr. Robert Dentzman OFM was assigned to Chicago Parish after teaching Math at Catholic Central for two years and making his home at St. Thomas.

1961

July 9: Cornerstone laid for Current Church

1962

April 15:  Palm Sunday, First Mass celebrated in our New Church.

Nov 11: Dedication of Church

1965

First visit of Bishop Babcock to our new Church and Rectory on the occasion of Confirmation.

1956: Fr. Rudy’s 25th Jubilee

Interior of Current Church

 

 

 

1966

Fr.Vincent Fochtman OFM, PHD, LLD

comes to live in residence at St. Thomas.

 

 

 

 

 

1967

Sanctuary renovated, putting Altar facing congregation.

August: Because of Ill health, Fr. Clem was transferred to Joliet, IL. Fr. Donatus Grunloh OFM arrives to take his place.

1970

Fr. Don is appointed Pastor, Fr. Rudy stays on as Associate Pastor

1971

Dangl School purchased to be used as CCD center. Joined the other Parishes in Muskegon to make a consolidated Catholic Elementary School system.

1972

CCD Building brought up to code and started classes in September. Fr. Rudy left for assignment as Chaplain at County Home in Oak Forest, IL. Fr. Conan Mitchell, OFM was sent as his replacement. Fr. Donatus Grunloh, OFM

1974

St. Thomas celebrates it’s Silver Anniversary, Hall is named – Founder’s Hall – In Honor of Fr. Rudy and Fr. Clem. Formal celebration consists of Solemn Mass. Fr. Rudy is principal celebrant with Fr. Don, Fr. Clem, Fr. Conan and Fr. Vincent assisting. Fr. Conan Mitchell, OFM

June 23 Fr. Don celebrates his Silver Jubilee Fr. Don’s Silver Jubilee

1975

Feb 2 Fr. Rudy age 69 dies at St. Francis Hospital in Blue Island, IL where he served as Chaplain. He is buried in Portiuncula Cemetery, Oak Brooke, IL

New Lights were installed in the Church and the former Choir Room was renovated into a Mothers Room.

Fr. Vincent Fochtman moves to Petoskey to be near his physician.

Dec. 5 – 11 Parish Mission conducted by Fr. Ambrose DeGroote OFM, Cap. and Fr. Caspar Stollenwerk OFM, Cap.

1977

Fr. Clem celebrates his Golden Jubilee

1978

Fr. Vincent Fochtman age 83 dies. He is buried in St. Francis Cemetery in Petoskey, MI

Addition to Founder’s Hall – Restrooms and Storage

Instituted Lay Ministers for distribution of Holy Communion.

Fr. Don, Bishop Britenbeck, Installed Large Crucifix on outside of Church Fr. Clem and Fr. Conan in Gratitude to Fr. Clem

1979:

July 11:   Beloved Fr. Clem age 80, dies at Mercy Hospital. He is buried at St. Mary’s Cemetery.

1981:

Fr. Don OFM is transferred to St. Louis, MO.  Fr. Miro Wiese OFM is appointed as Pastor.  Fr. Conan Mitchell OFM remains as Associate

Original benefactor, Joseph Smith dies.

August 30:  First Parish Chicken Dinner.  Prior to this, a Jitney Dinner was held in the month of October

1986:

Fr. Miro Wiese OFM Fr. Conan Mitchell OFM  Fr. Ron Schneider Fr. Miro and Fr. Conan transferred Diocese of Grand Rapids to staff St. Thomas Fr. Ron Schneider becomes first Diocesan Pastor at St. Thomas in 1988; March 19: 1988: Food pantry is started to help feed area hungry and Larry Jensen Ordained; 1991: Dave Kasprzyk ordained in 1981 becomes our Permanent Deacon; 1992: September: Parish “Light Weekends”; 1993: Founder’s Hall renovated Adopt Sister Parish in Haiti – St. Michael; 1994: Fr. Ron Transferred to Hart, Fr. Phil Witkowski becomes Pastor.

1995:  

July: First Parish Camp out weekend

1996:

June 1:

First Seminarian Troy Nevins ordained.

1997:

Oct. 5:

Van to provide rides to attend Mass at 11:00 on Sunday makes it’s debut.  Coordinated by Barb & John LaPres.  The Van makes stops at Christian Care Center, Hickory Village, and Pine Grove Manor.

1998:

Nov. 7:

St. Thomas celebrates 50TH Anniversary Year, celebration includes Mass and reception at M.C.C.

2002:

Knights of Columbus formed.  Council 13035 is named after “Fr Rudy & Fr. Clem”.  Jeff Johnson is Charter Grand Knight

2003:

Fr. Phil Witkowski transferred, Fr. Mark Bauer is appointed as our interim Pastor.

2004:

Fr. Michael Olson, Pastor of Our Lady of Grace is also assigned to be Pastor of St. Thomas.  Fr. Phil Sliwinski, and Sr. Ann Porter, assist Fr. Mike

St. Thomas’ 50th Anniversary(photo)

“Sandals in the Sun”, Memories of Fr. Rudy and Fr. Clem are gathered by Gen Reinhold, Marge Jawor and Rita Miller.  Book is available at the Parish Office.

2005:

Sept. 29:

Fr. Don Grunloh age 82, dies at St. Anthony Hospital in Effingham, IL.

Fr. Don 1923 – 2005(Photo)   He is buried in Aloysius Cemetery in rural Dietrich, IL

Fr. Rudolf Hornberger<insert photo> Fr. Clementin Grosskopf<insert photo>         Fr. Donatus Grunloh<insert photo>

1948 – 1972                         1948 – 1979                                     1967 – 1981

Fr. Robert Dentzman<insert photo> Fr Vincent Fochtman<insert photo>Fr. Conan Mitchell<insert photo>  Fr. Miro Wiese<insert photo>1955-1957  1966 – 1975 1972 – 1986 1984 – 1986  Fr. Ron Schneider<insert photo>   Fr. Phil Witkowski<insert photo>Fr. Mark Bauer<insert photo>             Fr. Michael Olson<insert photo>   Fr. Antony Britto, SAC<insert photo> 1986 – 1994    1994 – 2002               2002 – 2003  2003 – Current

Fr . Phil Sliwinski                      Sister Ann Porter                         Deacon Dave Kasprzyk

2003 – 200?                          2003 – 200?                               1991 – Present

Rev. Antony Britto, SAC
Ordination Date: May 14, 1988

Is appointed associate pastor of Our Lady of Grace Parish in Muskegon and St. Thomas theApostle Parish in Muskegon Heights, effective July 10, 2007.

Aug 2, 2012:  Fr. Antony Britto, S.A.C., administrator of Our Lady of Grace Parish in Muskegon, and St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Muskegon Township, is appointed pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Muskegon Heights, now clustered with St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Muskegon Township.

Fr. Antony Britto, S.A.C., administrator of Our Lady of Grace Parish in Muskegon, and St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Muskegon Township, is appointed pastor ofSacred Heart Parish in Muskegon Heights, now clustered with St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Muskegon Township.

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July 10 2007
Rev. Anthony Britto, SAC is appointed associate pastor of Our Lady of Grace Parish in Muskegon and St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Muskegon, effective July 10, 2007.

Rev. Phillip Sliwinski is appointed to the diocesan staff for special archival projects effective August 1, 2007.

Oct 1, 2010
Rev. Anthony Britto, SAC, currently Pastor at St. Margaret Mary Parish, Edmore and St. Bernadette Parish, Stanton is appointed Administrator of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, Muskegon Township, effective October 1, 2010.

Dec 21, 2010
Rev. Michael P. Olson is granted senior priest status effective December 31, 2010. Fr. Olson has most recently been serving as pastor of Our Lady of Grace Parish, Muskegon and St. Thomas Parish, Muskegon Township.

Jan 1, 2011
Rev. Antony Britto, SAC, is appointed administrator of Our Lady of Grace Parish, Muskegon effective January 1, 2011. This appointment is in addition to his present responsibilities as administrator of St. Thomas Parish, Muskegon Township.

Aug 2 2012
Fr. Antony Britto, S.A.C., administrator of Our Lady of Grace Parish in Muskegon, and St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Muskegon Township, is appointed pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Muskegon Heights, now clustered with St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Muskegon Township.

Rev. Phillip Sliwinski is appointed to the diocesan staff for special archival projects effective August 1, 2007.