Our Lady of the Angels Parish (formerly St. Cyril of Jerusalem, Taylor)

St. Cyril of Jerusalem Parish was established in June, 1953, with Fr. Carlson Robideau as founding pastor. The first Mass was celebrated on July 10 at Sudman School in Allen Park; later Masses were held at Allen Park High School.

Fr. Carlson Robideau 

The parish bought farmland in the northeast section of Taylor Township and the groundbreaking for a permanent church was on November 8, 1953. A church with capacity for 1,000 was built at a cost of $125,000 ($1.2 million today). 1,600 people attended the first Mass in the new church on September 26, 1954. Cardinal Mooney dedicated the church a month later.

On November 20, 1955, ground was broken for a school and convent. Sisters of St. Joseph of Nazareth, Michigan, would teach at the school for decades.

Fr. Robideau retired in October, 1975, after 22 years as pastor. His former assistant, Fr. Edmund Borycz, was succeesor. St. Cyril Church was renovated in 1979-1980 and re-dedicated by Bishop Schoenherr on December 21, 1980.

Stations of the Cross line the back wall, along with flags and a banner of the Holy Name of Mary.

In June, 1989, Fr. Borycz was assigned to be a chaplain at Selfridge Air National Guard Base. Fr. Eugene Wojtewicz succeeded as third pastor on September 9, 1989. St. Cyril Parish celebrated its 40th anniversary in 1993 and Fr. Gary Morelli was installed as fourth pastor.

St. Cyril School closed in 2000 and consolidated with St. Paschal Baylon and St. Constance to become Taylor Catholic School. Classes were held at St. Paschal and the other sites closed.

Tall, narrow windows on both sides of the sanctuary.

Fr. Bernard Fraser was installed as the fifth and last pastor on August 17, 2003. Cardinal Maida celebrated the 50th anniversary of St. Cyril Parish on October 12, 2003.

The sanctuary of St. Cyril Church was renovated in early 2006

In May, 2007, it was announced that St. Cyril would merge with St. Paschal Baylon Parish. A transition committee determined that St. Paschal Church, two miles southwest, would close and St. Cyril Church would remain active. The first Mass for Our Lady of the Angels Parish was on November 25, 2007. Fr. Fraser remained as pastor of the new parish for two years.

The former St. Paschal Baylon Church

Fr. Dariusz Strzalkowski has been pastor since 2009. In addition to his responsibilities as pastor, he often celebrates Mass in Polish at Our Lady of the Scapular in Wyandotte.

Stained-glass windows were restored and inlaid in a pair of doors.

A large crucifix hangs in the vestibule; the baptismal font, Paschal candle, and holy oils outside of the sacristy.

St. Therese, the Divine Mercy, and Our Lady of Guadalupe on the east side of the nave.

St. Francis, the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and Infant of Prague on the west side.

Saturday Vigil Mass is at 4:00pm preceded by Confessions at 3:00pm. Sunday Masses are at 8:00am, 10:00am, and Noon. Daily Mass is at 8:45am every weekday, except for Wednesday. The parish offers Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament after Mass on Thursdays, until 6:00pm.

St. John Paul II, St. Anne, and Mother of Perpetual Help on the west side of the nave

For more info: parish website + parish history
Video of the last Mass for St. Cyril of Jerusalem Parish: YouTube

St Pius X, Southgate

On August 10, 1950, ground was broken to build St. Pius X Church.  During construction, Mass was held at McCann School. On August 5, 1953 three Adrian Dominican sisters moved into a newly constructed convent. A week later, another ground breaking was held for an eight-classroom elementary school.

Although St. Pius Parish is dedicated to St. Pius X the school was dedicated to St. Pius V. In September, 1953, St. Pius V School opened with just first grade. Classes were held in the Social Hall as construction on the school continued. The school building was completed and dedicated by Cardinal Mooney on September 15, 1954. The new school consisted of 8 classrooms, an office and housed grades 1, 2, and 3. Three more sections were added in later years for a total of 32 classrooms. The school name was simplified to St. Pius School in 1974 to eliminate the confusion that often arose because of the difference from the church name.


The church's most notable architectural feature is a dropped, multi-faceted ceiling above the altar.


The Lamb of God is depicted above the center door.


Saturday Vigil Mass is at 4:00pm, preceded by Confessions at 3:00pm. Sunday Masses are at 8:00am, 9:30am, and 11:30am. 


Daily Masses are at 8:30am on Monday, Thursday, and Friday. Tuesdays bring evening Mass at 7:00pm. 


Fr. Bob McCabe is pastor and assisted by Deacon Robert Bovitz. Fr. McCabe is perhaps best known for his photography of Detroit homeless.

Fr Bob McCabe Photos

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For more info: parish website

More photos: AOD Film Services + Sidock Group
On Fr. McCabe's photography: Facebook page + YouTube channel
+ Detroit Free Press + The Michigan Catholic

Sacred Heart Parish, Grosse Ile

 

The first Church of the Sacred Heart was built in 1915, on the eastern shore of Grosse Ile.



A bell mount stands outside the chapel; the bell is engraved with “S. Davis”, “Detroit”, “1889”.


A cemetery stands immediately behind the chapel.




Construction on the current Sacred Heart Church began in 1968, around the corner from the chapel and cemetery.

Cardinal Dearden dedicated the church on June 14, 1969. A large vestibule was added in 1990.


A statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary stands outside the church, surrounded by Stations of the Cross.


Sacred Heart of Jesus stands in front of the church; the Holy Family hangs in the vestibule.


The parish offers Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament every Tuesday and again on First Fridays.


Sacred Heart Parish currently has 890 registered families. Fr. Mike Molnar has been pastor since July, 2008, and is assisted by Sr. Helen Therese Bodziak, Pastoral Associate.


Saturday Vigil Mass is at 5:00pm while Sunday Masses are at 8:30am and 11:00am.


For more info: parish website
More photos: AOD Film Services