St. Thomas the Apostle Church at 3252 Apple Ave., Muskegon, MI 49442 US - Our Founding Fathers

Father Rudy, a native of Indianapolis and Father Clem of Petoskey were verteran of many years of missionary work in China, stationed within 100 miles of each other in the Shantung province of the East Coast.  Fr. Rudy was first sent to China in 1933 after serving in Rome.  Fr. Clem was sent in 1928, following his ordination.

When Japan occupied China, the two priests were detained, then assigned to a prison camp.  The Fathers spoke sparingly of these years.  They did mention that one of the big problems in the prison camp was the lack of food.

Fr. Clem found an old bicycle beyond the prison fence.  Some nights he would slip out and bike around China to minister to the people.  Somehow he would get back before being missed.

Released in 1943, they were comforted by the thought that their work in China would not go to waste.  They trained a number of Chinese priests to carry on in disguises impossible for a Westerner.

Fr. Rudy served at St. John Hospital in Springfield, IL as an instructor for U.S. Cadet nurses from 1944 - 1947, receiving a citation for “meritorious service in recognition of wartime contributions”.  Fr. Clem was sent to Red Cliff, WI where he worked with the Native Americans.

The two Fathers were sent to Muskegon in 1948, where they founded our Parish, St. Thomas the Apostle.

Fr. Rudy returned to Illinois once to preach to 25 Chinese Sisters on retreat there.

In 1972, Fr. Rudy was transferred to the Franciscan Friary of St. Roch in Oak Forest, IL where he served as Chaplain in the Oak Forest Hospital.

On Feb. 2, 1975, Fr. Rudy passed away at St. Francis Hospital in Blue Island, IL and is buried in Oak Brook, IL where all the Franciscans of the area are buried. Fr. Rudy was a Franciscan for 50 years and a priest for 43 years.

Fr. Clem left St. Thomas in 1967 to serve parishes in Joliet, IL and Dubuque, IA.  He returned to St. Thomas in 1971 were he served in residence.  Fr. Clem suffered much with back and hip troubles.  When he became disabled, he lived at Brookhaven.  On July 11, 1979, Fr. Clem passed away at Mercy Hospital and is buried at St. Mary’s Cemetery in the circle of graves in front of the cemetery office.  Fr. Clem was a Franciscan for 59 years and a priest for 52 years.