For the last two years, St. Ladislaus has been preparing for closure. Currently, it is part of St. John Paul II Parish, along with Transfiguration/Our Lady Help of Christians. As reported recently by The Michigan Catholic, St. Lad's may soon become a chapel of its nearby mother parish of St. Florian.
As chapel, St. Ladislaus would hold a regular Mass schedule and funerals but baptisms, weddings, etc. would be at St. Florian. While the transition is not yet official, St. Florian's latest bulletin lists St. Ladislaus as a chapel. For more info: St. Florian website + St. Florian bulletin A 2014 article: The Hamtramck Review
Both St. Ladislaus (Hamtramck) and St. Louis the King (northeast Detroit) are to close in the coming months though no specific date has been set. Both churches are part of St. John Paul II Parish and their third church, Transfiguration/Our Lady Help of Christians will remain open. Inability to pay maintenance costs is cited as the reason for closure.
On Friday, May 30, Juventutem Michigan will host a 7:00pm Tridentine (Latin) Mass at Our Lady Queen of Apostles. Confessions will be heard before Mass at 6:15 p.m. Group recitation of the Rosary will begin at 6:30pm, at which congregants will pray for an increased acceptance of vocations to the priesthood and religious life. Fr. Charles White will celebrate the Missa Cantata, assisted by the choir of Assumption Grotto Church.
After Mass, young adults (18-35 years old) will gather at nearby Polish Village Café for dinner, conversation, and cultured activity. RSVP required for dinner.
St. Florian Parish was established in 1907 and the current edifice was finished in 1928. The church is the tallest building in Hamtramck as its spire reaches a height of nearly 200 feet.
Detailed Stations of the Cross mimic the Neo-Gothic architecture of the building.
Scenes from the Gospel are featured among the intricate high altar.
An elaborate ceiling features angels adoring the Blessed Sacrament. The St. Joseph side altar; a large crucifix near the Blessed Mother's side altar. The Feast of St. Florian falls on May 4 and the parish always celebrates with a large festival during the first weekend of May. The annual Strawberry Festival features Polish food/drink, church tours, as well as polka music and dancing.
St. Florian is the patron of firefighters and, on the first Saturday of May, a parade of firefighters marches to the church and joins in the procession for Mass.
Images of the patron are found throughout the church.
Murals of St. Florian and St. Maximilian Kolbe adorn the rear of the nave.
A chapel to Our Lady of Częstochowa is located in the east side of the vestibule.
A Divine Mercy chapel is located on the west side of the vestibule. Here, relics and memorabilia from Pope St. John Paul II are on display.
Pope St. John Paul II visited Hamtramck twice. In 1969, while still a cardinal, he celebrated Mass at St. Florian. In 1987, he addressed the public nearby.
As expected, JP2's likeness is found throughout the church.
Pope Park, a memorial of Karol Wojtyła's first visit to Hamtramck, stands a few blocks away from St. Florian. A volunteer group is planning to renovate the park by fixing broken pavers and adding more lights.
The parish is administered by the Society of Christ — a religious order whose mission is to serve people of Polish descent living outside of Poland. Fr. Mirosław Frankowski, S.Chr., serves as pastor with the assistance of Deacon Arthur Majkowski.
MASS SCHEDULE
Sun 10am (Polish), Noon (English), 6:30 pm (Polish)
Mon 8am(Polish)
Tue 6:30pm (English)
Wed 8am (Polish)
Thu 6:30pm (English)
Fri 6:30pm (Polish)
Sat 8am (Polish), 4pm (English)
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament: Fri 3:00pm – 6:00pm
St. Ladislaus Parish was established in 1920 and the current edifice built in 1953. In 2012, it merged with Transfiguration and St. Louis the King to form Blessed Pope John Paul II Parish. St. Ladislaus is located at 2730 Caniff, just west of Jos. Campau, in Hamtramck.
I was drawn to some of the processional banners on display near the vestibule.
Hail Mary...pray for us
The stained-glass windows are intriguing. The perimeter of each window is bright and geometric while the center features a realistic portrayal of the Gospels.
There's an interesting collection of statues throughout the church.
I like all of the small balconies overlooking the altar (left) and the portraits of former pastors (right).
Like many Polish churches, St. Ladislaus displays an icon of Our Lady of Czestochowa.
Mass is celebrated at 4:00pm, in English, on Saturdays and 11:00am, in Polish, on Sundays. For more information, view the bulletin archive, the blog of Creative Gene and AOD Film Services.
St. Ladislaus float in the Polish Day Parade with St. Florian Church in the background. Photo courtesy of Karen Majewski
