Our Lady Gate of Heaven Catholic Church at 9555 St. Marys Street, Detroit, MI 48227 US - OLGH History (from 1927 to 1987)

1927 to 1941 - During a time of rapid growth in Detroit, OLGH was founded on Dec. 1, 1927. Fr. Charles Ulenberg was the Pastor. The 1st Mass was celebrated on Dec. 25th in a farmhouse at 16821 Plymouth Rd. A temporary church on W. Chicago and St. Marys was opened on April 8, 1928. 1941 to 1967 - Fr. Ulenberg was transferred and Fr. Bertram was assigned as Pastor on April 29, 1941. In 1946, the parish was divided and St. Suzanne's was founded. A first Mass was celebrated in the second temporary Church (later, the gym)on Easter Sunday in 1947. OLGH Elementary School opened on Sept 9, 1947 with 650 students. The Adrian Dominican Sisters staffed the school. The convent opened in 1948 and the rectory was completed in 1959. The third temporary Church was the basement Church where a first Mass was celebrated in 1955. In 1959, an area of the parish was added to Mother of Our Savior Parish. The permanent Church was dedicated in 1964 and the basement Church became the Parish Hall in 1966. 1967 to 1978 - Fr. Bertram retired in 1967 and Fr. Yakes became the 3rd Pastor. The sanctuary was renovated (following Vatican II guidelines) in 1969. The first Parish Council was elected in 1970. Fr. Yakes died suddenly on Feb. 22, 1978. 1978 to 1985 - Fr. Leo Priemer was assigned as Pastor in 1978. The last of the Dominican Sisters living at the Gate moved to new locations and the convent was leased as a "Residential Home." A parish chapel was designed and built by Bob Glowinski in a classroom in the school in 1981. With the hiring of Tim Stempanski in 1982, both the liturgical music and environment at the Gate were enhanced. In 1983, Fr. Priemer was replaced by Fr. Jim Mayworm. Deacon Bill Krauskoff and his wife, Bonnie, also became part of the "Gate" in 1983. When Tim left in June of 1984, Rory Dewey was hired as the new Minister of Music and Liturgy. After much struggle and discernment, in 1985, Our Lady Gate of Heaven School closed its doors. Both the school and convent were sold to Word of Faith Church. In Sept, 1985, Sr. Rosemarie Kieffer was hired part-time as Pastoral Associate.

(Back)