St. Thomas the Apostle Church at 3252 Apple Ave., Muskegon, MI 49442 US

History of St. Thomas Parish

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St. Thomas the Apostle Parish est. 1948

Mr. & Mrs Joseph Smith

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

Fr. Rudy 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.

Interior of First Church

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.

Fr. Robert Dentzman, OFM

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.

Fr.Vincent Fochtman OFM, PHD, LLD

1970

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

Fr. Rudy, Fr. Clem, and Fr. Don

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 our new Pastor Fr. Conan Mitchell OFM remains as Associate Original benefactor, Joseph Smith dies. August 30: First Parish Chicken Dinner Fr. Clem 1899 - 1979 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 1988: March 19: 1989: Food pantry is started to help feed area hungry 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 our new 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 “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 age 82, dies at St. Anthony Hospital in Effingham, IL. Fr. Don 1923 - 2005 He is buried in Aloysius Cemetery in rural Dietrich, IL Fr. Rudolf Hornberger Fr. Clementin Grosskopf Fr. Donatus Grunloh 1948 - 1972 1948 - 1979 1967 - 1981 Fr. Robert Dentzman Fr Vincent Fochtman Fr. Conan Mitchell Fr. Miro Wiese 1955-1957 1966 - 1975 1972 - 1986 1984 - 1986 Fr. Ron Schneider Fr. Phil Witkowski Fr. Mark Bauer Fr. Michael Olson 1986 - 1994 1994 - 2002 2002 - 2003 2003 - Current Fr . Phil Sliwinski Sister Ann Porter Deacon Dave Kasprzyk 2003 - Current 2003 - Current 1991 - Current

St. Thomas the Apostle Church at 3252 Apple Ave., Muskegon, MI 49442 US - History of St. Thomas Parish