Our Lady of Consolation Catholic Church at 4865 11 Mile Rd NE, Rockford, MI 49341 US - Parish History
| Parish History |
Established in 1972, Our Lady of Consolation Parish in Rockford is a relatively young parish, and like a youngster, the church is experiencing tremendous growth. Our Lady of Consolation had humble beginnings. In 1962 a 23-acre site overlooking the city of Rockford was purchased. Groundbreaking ceremonies were held in 1966 for a building known as the "Annex," in which services were held and which later became the school gymnasium. The Annex was a mission of Assumption Parish of Belmont, under the direction of Msgr. Joseph Podhajski. It served 134 families. A school opened in 1967 for 85 students. In 1968 the mission and school were dedicated by Bishop Allen J. Babcock. The church was named Our Lady of Consolation as a tribute to the Consolata Missionary Sisters who staffed the school. The church became an official parish on March 28, 1972, and Father James Cusack was appointed the first pastor. During Father Cusack's pastorate, the parish grew to 275 families, and a family center and rectory were constructed. Father Paul Milanowski became pastor in 1978. A new church was built in 1984, and the Annex became part of the school. Bishop Joseph McKinney was pastor from 1985 to 1998. During this time, a new family center was built, the parish grounds became home to the North Kent Service Center to serve the needy, and Bishop Hills, an assisted living residence for the elderly, was constructed. Parish life at Our Lady of Consolation is notable because of the many ministries and service organizations. Father Thomas Page became pastor in 1998. With a parish community of over 1,600 families, the parish recently completed its most ambitious building campaign yet, doubling the size of the church in 2002. Excerpted from Where the Star Came to Rest, Stories of the Catholic People in West Michigan, by Msgr. Gaspar F. Ancona, 2001.